Kertos Achieves ISO 42001 Certification: Setting a Standard for Governed AI Systems
Starting 2025 with a milestone worth celebrating: Kertos is now ISO 42001 certified. This certification represents the international standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems, and achieving it positions us at the forefront of responsible AI governance in the compliance technology space.
But this isn't just about adding another certification badge to our website. ISO 42001 certification signals something much more significant for our customers, partners, and the broader compliance industry. As AI becomes deeply embedded in how businesses operate, govern themselves, and meet regulatory requirements, having a structured approach to AI management is no longer optional — it's essential.
In this article, we'll break down what ISO 42001 actually means, why AI governance matters now more than ever, and how this certification reflects our commitment to building trustworthy compliance automation solutions.
Understanding ISO 42001: The Global Standard for AI Management
ISO 42001 is the first international standard specifically designed to help companies establish, implement, and continuously improve an Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS). Published by the International Organization for Standardization, it provides a framework for the responsible development, deployment, and use of AI technologies.
The standard covers several critical areas that businesses working with AI need to address, including:
- Risk management processes specifically tailored to AI systems
- Governance structures that ensure accountability and oversight
- Policies for AI development and deployment
- Mechanisms for ongoing monitoring and improvement of AI systems
Unlike broader quality management standards, ISO 42001 addresses the unique challenges that AI introduces, including algorithmic bias, transparency, data handling, and automated decision-making.
For companies in the compliance and privacy scene like Kertos, this certification carries particular weight. Our platform uses AI assistance to help businesses manage their compliance obligations more efficiently. Having an externally verified AI management system means our customers can trust that the AI components powering our solutions are developed and maintained according to rigorous international standards.
Why AI Governance Has Become a Compliance Imperative
A rapidly evolving regulatory landscape
The regulatory environment around AI is changing quickly, and businesses that fail to keep pace are exposing themselves to significant risk.
The European Union's AI Act is setting a global benchmark by introducing a risk-based classification of AI systems and imposing stringent requirements on high-risk use cases. At the same time, existing sector-specific regulations are increasingly being expanded to explicitly address AI.
From regulatory pressure to business value
This is where certifications like ISO 42001 become genuinely valuable. They provide documented evidence that a company has implemented systematic controls around its AI systems. When regulators or auditors ask how you're managing AI-related risks, having ISO 42001 certification offers a clear, standardized answer.
Beyond compliance, structured AI governance also makes business sense: unmanaged AI can lead to biased outcomes, inaccurate decisions, security gaps, and privacy violations. A formal governance approach helps identify and mitigate these risks early—before they turn into costly issues.
How We Apply AI Governance Internally
Achieving ISO 42001 certification required us to examine every aspect of how we develop, deploy, and maintain AI capabilities within our platform and our internal operations. This process strengthened practices we already had in place and pushed us to formalize others.
Our approach to AI governance starts with clear accountability structures. We've established defined roles for AI oversight, ensuring that decisions about AI development and deployment receive appropriate review from technical, legal, and business perspectives. We are making sure the right people are involved in decisions that could affect our customers and their compliance outcomes.
We've also implemented robust documentation practices for our AI systems. Every AI component in our platform has clear documentation covering its purpose, training data sources, performance metrics, and known limitations. This transparency helps our development teams maintain and improve these systems over time, and it allows us to answer customer questions about how our AI assistance actually works.
Risk assessment is another core element of our AI governance framework. Before deploying new AI capabilities, we evaluate potential risks across multiple dimensions:
- Accuracy and reliability
- Potential for bias
- Data privacy implications
- Security considerations
This assessment process helps us catch issues early and make informed decisions about whether and how to proceed with new AI features.
Continuous monitoring rounds out our approach. AI systems can drift over time as the data they encounter changes, so we track performance metrics and investigate anomalies. When we identify opportunities for improvement, we have clear processes for implementing updates while maintaining stability and reliability.
What the ISO 42001 Certification Means for Our Customers
For businesses evaluating compliance automation solutions, vendor AI governance practices should be a key consideration. When you integrate AI-powered tools into your compliance workflows, you're extending trust to that vendor's AI systems. Understanding how those systems are managed helps you assess the risks you're taking on.
Our ISO 42001 certification gives customers documented assurance that Kertos takes AI governance seriously. It means we've invested in the structures, processes, and controls needed to manage AI responsibly. And because ISO 42001 requires ongoing compliance, it's not a one-time achievement we can forget about. We're committed to maintaining and improving these practices over time.
This matters particularly for customers in regulated industries or those subject to requirements like NIS2. When demonstrating your own compliance posture to regulators or auditors, being able to point to certified vendors strengthens your position. It shows you've considered AI governance in your vendor selection process and chosen partners who meet recognized international standards.
Beyond compliance benefits, our AI governance practices contribute to a more reliable product. By systematically managing risks and continuously monitoring performance, we reduce the likelihood of issues that could disrupt your compliance operations. The same discipline that earned us ISO 42001 certification makes our platform more trustworthy and dependable.
The Broader Shift Toward AI Accountability
Our certification is part of a larger trend across industries. Companies are recognizing that responsible AI use requires more than good intentions, as it requires systematic governance. The businesses that establish strong AI management practices now will be better positioned as regulations mature and stakeholder expectations increase.
For compliance professionals specifically, AI governance represents both a challenge and an opportunity. On one hand, it's another area requiring attention and resources. On the other hand, it's a chance to demonstrate leadership and build a competitive advantage. Companies that can show they use AI responsibly will earn greater trust from customers, partners, and regulators.
Looking Ahead: Our Commitment to Responsible AI
We view this ISO 42001 certification as validation of the foundation we've built and motivation to keep improving. As AI capabilities evolve and best practices mature, we'll continue refining our approach to AI governance.
We're also committed to helping our customers navigate their own AI governance challenges. Through our platform and the resources we share, we aim to make AI governance more accessible and practical for businesses of all sizes. Compliance shouldn't require expertise in AI management systems, but businesses do need confidence that the tools they rely on are built and maintained responsibly.
The new year has started with this win, and we're energized about what comes next. Whether you're already a Kertos customer or considering compliance automation for the first time, we invite you to learn more about how our platform — and our commitment to responsible AI — can support your compliance goals.
Ready to see how AI-assisted compliance automation can work for your business? Get in touch with our team to discuss your requirements and learn more about our approach to building trustworthy compliance solutions.
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