Mapping ISO/IEC 42001 Clauses to NIST AI RMF Functions
Mapping ISO/IEC 42001 Clauses to NIST AI RMF Functions
ISO / NIST Integration Playbook Unified AI Governance Framework
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Key takeaways
- ISO 42001 = management system standard for AI governance; NIST RMF = risk and trustworthiness framework.
- Both complement each other: ISO defines process governance; NIST defines control objectives and metrics.
- Zen AI Governance maps all ISO clauses (§4–§10) to NIST functions (Govern, Map, Measure, Manage) for evidence reuse.
Overview & objective
This playbook creates a unified control taxonomy for AI governance. It allows audit teams to demonstrate that a single AIMS implementation satisfies both ISO and NIST requirements while supporting EU AI Act compliance.
Framework summaries
- ISO/IEC 42001: Defines requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an AI Management System (AIMS).
- NIST AI RMF: Voluntary framework focusing on trustworthiness through four core functions — Govern, Map, Measure, Manage.
- Zen AI Integration: Bridges AIMS process control with risk-based metrics and technical validation cycles.
ISO ↔ NIST cross-mapping table
| ISO/IEC 42001 Clause | NIST AI RMF Function | Zen AIMS Evidence Artefact | Example Tool / Output |
|---|
| §4 Context of the organisation | Govern | Scope Statement, Stakeholder Map | Zen AIMS Scope Register (ZSR) |
| §5 Leadership & Commitment | Govern | AI Policy & Oversight Board Charter | Governance Dashboard |
| §6 Planning & Risk Management | Map | AI Risk Register & Waivers | Zen RMS Tracker (RMT) |
| §7 Support (Competence & Resources) | Manage | Training Records & LMS Logs | Zoho People + LMS |
| §8 Operation (Control & Lifecycle) | Measure + Manage | Model Lifecycle Docs & Validation Reports | AI Pipeline Logs |
| §9 Performance Evaluation | Measure | Metrics Dashboard & Internal Audit Reports | Zen Metrics Portal (ZMP) |
| §10 Improvement (CAPA & PMM) | Manage | CAPA Log & Post-Market Monitoring (PMM) | Zoho Desk + CAPA Tracker |
Evidence linkage model
- Every ISO control is linked to at least one NIST function and assigned an Evidence ID (EV-###).
- Evidence stored in the Zen AIMS Evidence Repository with cross-references to TDF sections.
- Each artefact includes owner, review frequency, and audit history.
Unified compliance dashboards
- Compliance Heatmap: ISO vs NIST coverage with colour-coded maturity scores (0–5).
- Audit Drill-Down: Click any ISO clause → view linked NIST function → see evidence file.
- Risk Alignment View: Aggregates RMS and CAPA status per framework.
Templates & registers
A) ISO ↔ NIST Mapping Register (CSV Headers)
ISO_Clause,NIST_Function,Evidence_ID,Owner,Last_Reviewed,Status,Maturity_Level(0-5),Next_Action
B) Unified Evidence Index (Excerpt)
| EV-ID | Framework Control | Description | Last Updated | Owner |
|---|
| EV-RMS-010 | ISO §6.1 / NIST Map | Risk register & waiver log | 2025-11-18 | Compliance Lead |
| EV-PMM-002 | ISO §10 / NIST Manage | Post-market monitoring dashboard | 2025-11-18 | AI Ops Manager |
Regulatory alignment
| Framework | Reference | Relevance |
|---|
| ISO/IEC 42001 | §4–§10 | Defines AI management system process controls. |
| NIST AI RMF | Govern, Map, Measure, Manage | Risk management and trustworthiness functions. |
| EU AI Act | Annex IV | Evidence reusability for conformity assessment. |
| UK DSIT AI Framework | Principles 1–6 | National alignment with ISO and NIST structures. |
Implementation checklist
- Cross-mapping register created and approved by Governance Board.
- Evidence IDs linked between ISO AIMS and NIST controls.
- Compliance heatmap dashboard active with maturity scores.
- Quarterly review of mapping to capture framework updates.
- Unified audit report template available for external auditors.
© Zen AI Governance UK Ltd • Regulatory Knowledge • v1 18 Nov 2025 • This page is general guidance, not legal advice.
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