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If you think compliance is expensive, try non-compliance. In today's data-heavy environment, being compliant in every aspect of a company's business is vital. Especially talking about data processing and information security.
In the EU, this has been made obligatory primarily through the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and similar data protection regulations are apparent in other parts of the world. Regulations like GDPR require that companies uphold different obligations such as a continually updated Data Protection Addendum and agreement between a Data Processor and Data Controller, stating and regulating on what legal basis data is processed, etc.
Entering a relationship with a vendor or supplier, it is of the utmost importance to know that your company’s data is being handled professionally, with integrity and confidentiality, and in compliance with applicable law.
But how do you make sure that your data is protected? On what basis can you trust a company with your data or the data of your clients? How can you be sure that your data processor is qualified to ensure data protection?
We recommend that you only work with suppliers who have achieved independent third-party audit reports on Information Security.
Ensuring compliance when processing data by obtaining an externally approved report of data processing activities, such as an ISAE 3000 standard report of compliance, is beneficial for both a vendor or supplier and their customers.
This gives the customer confidence and security, that data is processed in compliance with the applicable law.
What is an ISAE 3000 Report?
An ISAE 3000 Report (comparable to a SOC 2 Report) is the assurance standard for compliance, sustainability, and outsourcing audits. ISAE 3000 manages the assurance of non-financial information and is audited by a 3rd party, professional audit firm to assure that procedures and controls are in place and operate effectively.
Compliance, data processing agreements, controls. Bringing all this jargon down a level to put it in perspective; an ISAE 3000 report is a stamp of approval that the services and systems you use are treating your data with respect and in compliance with the law.
Why should you choose a vendor that has an independent 3rd party ISAE 3000 report on data processing and information security?
Working with a supplier who holds an ISAE 3000 report proves that your data is being treated with integrity and confidentiality and that all data processing activities and potential risks are being documented and controlled accordingly.
This is a huge advantage for you as a customer as it gives you comfort, security, and assurance that the system or services you are considering implementing maintain the highest security standards, assess risks accordingly, and perform excellent quality control.
We have listed eight key reasons why you should always choose a supplier that holds a third-party ISAE 3000 report:
- Trust
Entering an agreement with a company that has an ISAE 3000 report means you enter a relationship built on trust. - Credibility and Security
We all have probably ticked the box 'Accept terms and conditions' without really reading them. When implementing a system in your organization this, of course, will not work. Therefore, you need to make sure that the vendor you are considering as a partner is treating personal and company data with care. This is where an ISAE 3000 report comes in handy. It is externally audited, but it also holds all the information you need to understand and learn how your data is processed. - An Exact Description of Data Processing Activities
Ever wondered what type of data is processed by the supplier? And with what purpose? Or how risks are being assessed? The data processing activities are extensively elaborated in an ISAE 3000 report. If you need to know what kind of data a company's sub-processors are using, it is an advantage to be presented with an ISAE 3000 report instead of having to investigate this yourself, with the knowledge that the information you find, has not been externally audited, and hence not controlled. - External Auditors Give a Third Party Stamp of Approval
We all want to believe that a company processes our data with integrity, and confidentiality while being responsible and following regulations. However, we cannot be 100% sure, when the only assurers are the companies themselves. With an ISAE 3000 report, you have an externally audited document that describes data processing and adherence to regulations, giving you a third-party stamp of approval. - Make Data Processing Suspicion Redundant
The fact is that all companies that process personal data are subjected to the same standards. But unfortunately, this does not guarantee that they uphold these standards in real life. You are ensured of this when working with a supplier with an ISAE 3000 report. - Knowledge of Controls
Ever heard the term "Technical and organizational activities and measures"? In an ISAE 3000 report, a vendor must submit any data processing and data protection activities implemented in the rest of the organization, which are comparable to the terms set in the General Data Protection Regulation. The description of events is converted into a set of controls tested by the external auditing firm. Controls are therefore in place to ensure that the implemented technical and organizational measures are in compliance with applicable law. - Breach Notification
Working with data, there is always the risk of a data breach. This means, your data may be accessible to people to whom you have not given your consent. If such a breach occurs, a company must act fast following a set of guidelines to restore and rectify data. All companies are bound to notify their customers if a breach occurs. With an ISAE 3000 report, you can be assured that this happens, since a set of procedures are implemented and checked regularly. - Constant Recording of Processing Activities
If the company changes the handling of processing activities, how do you make sure you are informed? The answer is that when a company obtains an ISAE 3000 report, it also must fulfill the terms that say that any changes to processing activities are both recorded and notified to customers. No changes can go unnoticed, so you are sure that you always have the full picture.
AskCody's ISAE 3000 Report
At AskCody, we are constantly improving our data protection, both in regard to securing the data that is shared with us, as well as complying with the laws and regulations on data protection.
As part of our promise to provide an enterprise-grade platform with the highest security standards implemented, AskCody performs on a yearly basis a third-party audit and inspection to verify the compliance of data processing with respect to our DPA, GDPR, our Information Security Policy, and all other security and compliance matters in AskCody.
Therefore, an independent third party (BDO) – a state-certified company auditor – has controlled and certified our security measures, our compliance, etc. to clarify and document that we have implemented security measures and that those measures work efficiently.
Thus, we can provide our trusted Customers and Business Partners the assurance they need that AskCody process data responsibly. In turn, they can assure their users and employees that personal data is handled with care and in compliance with data protection laws (GDPR).
The report ISAE 3000 Report is also useful when it comes to assessing our compliance with your instructions and the data processing agreement that we have entered into with you.
