8 Certifications That Matter to Indian IT Firms to Power Res…

As artificial intelligence becomes central to enterprise services, Indian IT companies face growing pressure to demonstrate that their AI systems are ethical, secure, and well-governed. While there is no legal requirement for specific certifications yet, a set of internationally recognised standards is emerging as the benchmark for responsible and auditable AI operations.

Below are the key certifications and frameworks that leading Indian IT providers are adopting or aligning with to build client trust and regulatory readiness.

ISO/IEC 42001:2023 — Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS)

ISO/IEC 42001 is the world’s first formal management system standard for AI, published by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in December 2023. It defines how organisations should establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve an AI Management System (AIMS). 

The framework covers governance, accountability, transparency, bias mitigation, and risk assessment throughout an AI system’s lifecycle. Although voluntary, ISO 42001 is quickly becoming a global reference for responsible AI, much like ISO 27001 did for information security. 

Indian companies such as Infosys, Mphasis and Datamatics are among early adopters, obtaining certification through National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB)-accredited bodies such as TÜV SÜD.

ISO/IEC 27001 — Information Security Management System (ISMS)

ISO 27001 remains foundational for any organisation handling data or cloud infrastructure. It provides a structured approach to managing information security risks and ensuring data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. For AI platforms, which depend heavily on data security and controlled environments, ISO 27001 certification is widely seen as a baseline requirement in enterprise contracts.

ISO/IEC 27701 — Privacy Information Management System (PIMS)

ISO 27701 extends ISO 27001 to include privacy governance and controls for personally identifiable information (PII). Since many AI models rely on sensitive datasets, this certification helps service providers align with international data-protection frameworks such as the EU GDPR and India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act. It demonstrates that privacy risks in AI systems are actively identified, documented, and mitigated.

SOC 2 (AICPA)

The Service Organization Control 2 report, developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), audits the effectiveness of controls in five “trust service” categories: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. 

Many Indian IT firms serving North American clients pursue SOC 2 Type II reports to prove operational reliability of their AI and cloud services.

ISO 9001 — Quality Management System (QMS)

ISO 9001 is not AI-specific but remains relevant because it certifies that an organisation maintains consistent quality processes, documentation, and continuous improvement. 

For AI service providers, it ensures repeatable model-development, validation, and release processes, which are essential for scaling enterprise AI deployments.

Sector-Specific Frameworks: PCI DSS and HIPAA

Depending on the data handled, additional compliance obligations may apply:

PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard):

It is a globally recognised framework developed and maintained by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), an independent body founded in 2006 by major payment brands, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and JCB International. 

PCI DSS sets stringent technical and operational requirements to ensure the secure handling of cardholder data and to prevent payment-related fraud. It applies to any organisation that stores, processes, or transmits credit card information, including banks, payment processors, e-commerce platforms, and IT service providers that support payment systems.

It applies to AI systems processing or analysing payment-card data, requiring encryption, access control, and logging.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) 

It is a United States federal law enacted in 1996 to protect the privacy and security of individuals’ medical information. Administered by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), HIPAA establishes national standards for safeguarding sensitive patient health data held by healthcare providers, insurers, and their business associates. 

It ensures that medical information is properly protected while allowing the flow of health data needed to provide high-quality care and manage healthcare services efficiently.

Indian vendors providing AI analytics for US clients typically show HIPAA compliance readiness through contractual Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) and ISO 27001-aligned safeguards.

Accreditation and Verification (NABCB and Global Bodies)

The credibility of any certification depends on who issues it. In India, the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB), under the Quality Council of India, accredits certifiers for standards like ISO 42001 and ISO 27001. 

Certificates issued under NABCB or equivalent international accreditations (such as UKAS or ANAB) are recognised globally. Using accredited certifiers ensures that audits meet rigorous national and international oversight standards.

CSA STAR for AI (Cloud Security Alliance STAR for AI)

The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) launched the STAR for AI certification framework in October 2025, extending its established STAR (Security, Trust, Assurance, and Risk) cloud security program to cover artificial intelligence systems specifically. 

US-based CSA is a nonprofit organisation founded in 2008 with a mission to promote best practices for security assurance within cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies. 

The framework integrates and builds upon the ISO/IEC 42001 standard for AI management systems to offer multi-level assurance. 

Organisations can participate at Level 1 through a published self-assessment or attain Level 2 certification by demonstrating ISO 42001 compliance and undergoing CSA’s transparency and scoring process. 

STAR for AI is designed to validate and enhance trust and security in AI deployments, providing a global, industry-led certification that aligns AI governance with cloud security best practices. Notably in India, Zoho Corporation is registered in the CSA STAR Registry with certifications pertinent to cloud security frameworks.

Not Mandatory

Indian IT companies providing AI solutions are not legally required to hold these certifications, but together they form the trust infrastructure for global business. Enterprises that combine these frameworks are best positioned to demonstrate responsible, transparent, and secure AI practices, the next differentiator for India’s export-driven technology industry. 

With AI progressing fast, governments and standards bodies are developing new frameworks addressing algorithmic accountability, model transparency, and AI auditing.

Sources: ISO.org; TÜV SÜD; NABCB; BSI Group; Quality Council of India; Ministry of Commerce and Industry; PCI Security Standards Council; AICPA.org; US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); Data Protection Authority of India; KPMG AI Governance Insights 2024; Deloitte AI Compliance Brief 2024; Gartner 2024;  Cloud Security Alliance.

The post 8 Certifications That Matter to Indian IT Firms to Power Responsible AI appeared first on Analytics India Magazine.

Generated by RSStT. The copyright belongs to the original author.

Source