The Trust Bridge has been working with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) last year to develop an ICO-approved GDPR audit and certification scheme. Their tiered approach helps organisations of all sizes achieve measurable, certifiable GDPR compliance – without unnecessary complexity.
The GDPR applies to all organisations, regardless of location, that process individuals’ personal data within the EU or EEA. This includes businesses, non-profit organisations, government agencies, and all organisations that process personal data.
Compliance requires implementing robust data protection measures and conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs). Prompt notification of data breaches is also mandatory. Non-compliance can lead to fines of up to €20 million or, for a business, up to 4% of its total global turnover in the previous financial year, whichever is higher, highlighting the importance of adhering to GDPR data protection and privacy standards.
Why Your Organisation Needs to Get Certified?
This certification programme was primarily designed with educational institutions in mind; it is suitable for implementation in organisations of all sizes and sectors.
- Build trust: Show customers you care about data privacy.
- Reduce Risk: Minimise security incidents with strong safeguards.
- Stand out: Gain a competitive advantage as a trusted organisation.
- Protect what matters: Handle data responsibly and transparently.
- Work smart: Improve data management and operational efficiency.
- Be prepared: Respond quickly if incidents occur.
- Future proof: Privacy isn’t optional, it’s essential.
Three Certification Tiers
- Essential
- Assisted self-assessment
- 40% coverage of ICO controls
- Cost-effective starting point
- No on-site audit required
- Advantage
- 70% coverage of ICO controls
- Higher standards for governance & risk management
- Includes privacy-by-design, the DPIA cycle, and breach handling
- Elite
- 100% coverage of ICO controls
- UKAS certification and full external audit
- Highest level of assurance and reputational value
Your path to Compliance
- Start with the essentials to build a strong foundation.
- Progress to advance as your processes mature.
- Achieve ELITE for full governance and regulatory alignment.
Audit Steps
- Audit Application: Contact us at info@cfecert.co.uk
- Get a Quote and Schedule an Audit: We will provide you with a quote, and you can schedule your audit to test system compliance.
- Receive a Certificate: If you pass the assessment, we will issue your certificate and provide your audit report.
- Schedule the renewal audit annually: You must have completed the renewal audit within 12 months of the last audit date in subsequent years. These stages will not be as costly as the initial audit.
CFECERT provides training and audit services.
Our Training Services:
- GDPR Awareness – 5 Hours
- Data Protection Officer (DPO)- 4 Days
Our Audit Services:
- UK GDPR Elite level audit
- UKAS or IAS-accredited audits for other standards such as ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 22301…
- Gap analysis
- Internal Audit
- Supplier Audit and more
