A GDPR audit is a systematic review of an organisation's policies, procedures, and practices relating to the collection, usage, storage, and sharing of Personal Data. The aim of a GDPR audit is to identify potential risks to the privacy and security of Personal Data and ensure compliance with the UK GDPR and other relevant laws and regulations concerning Data Protection. In turn this will also go a long way to protect an organisation from the consequences of a Data Breach such as reputational damage, financial penalty, or other sanction by the Information Commissioners Office (ICO).

 

During a GDPR audit, we would typically evaluate the organisation's Data Protection policies and procedures, scrutinise its Data handling practices, examine its IT systems and infrastructure, and interview staff members who control/process Personal Data. Our auditors may also conduct open-source due-diligence checks of all organisations that you share Personal Data with to ensure their adequacy and compliance with the legislation.

 

Upon completion of a GDPR audit, the auditors usually provide a report that highlights areas where the organisation needs to enhance its Data Protection practices and offers recommendations for rectification. This report can be utilised by the organisation to implement improvements to its Data Protection practices and demonstrate to regulators or other stakeholders that it is taking appropriate measures to safeguard Personal Data.

 

The cost of a GDPR audit can vary considerably depending on various factors, including the size and complexity of the organisation, the scope of the audit, and the qualifications and experience of the auditor or audit team.

 

Smaller organisations with simpler Data processing activities may be able to conduct a GDPR audit for under a few thousand pounds, whereas larger organisations with more intricate Data processing activities may need to allocate tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds for a comprehensive audit.

 

Furthermore, the cost of a GDPR audit may depend on whether the audit is conducted internally by the organisation or by an external auditor or consulting firm. External auditors or consulting firms may charge higher fees for their services, but they can provide specialised expertise and impartiality to the audit process.