The ISAE 3000 report wears a few hats—you might hear it called a GDPR statement or an auditor’s report. But what’s hiding under all those names? Let's break it down.
What is an ISAE 3000 Report?
An ISAE 3000 report is a review of the procedures and controls that an organization has implemented to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or to meet the requirements set out in its data processor agreements.
This review is conducted by an external auditor (hence the term "auditor’s statement"). The resulting report assesses whether the organization adheres to regulations regarding the storage and processing of personal data.
When is an ISAE 3000 Report necessary?
As a data controller, an organization can—and should—conduct ongoing checks to ensure compliance with GDPR and to document that these requirements are being met. An ISAE 3000 report is one way to do this, signaling credibility and security to stakeholders, clients, and partners. It provides documented proof that GDPR compliance isn’t just a claim—it’s a verified fact checked by an independent third party.
In some cases, clients may require an ISAE 3000 report to confirm that an organization processes personal data according to the law. Such requirements are often embedded within data processor agreements.
How long is an ISAE 3000 Report valid?
There are two main timeframes for ISAE 3000 reports:
Type 1: Issued for a specific point in time.
Type 2: Covers a defined period, typically one year.
A Type 2 report is generally preferable, as it can be issued annually and shared with data controllers to document compliance. This approach saves time by reducing the need for individual client queries and audits throughout the year. However, a Type 2 report requires the auditor to have monitored compliance with GDPR or relevant data processor agreements over the entire period.
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