Exploring data compliance certification benefits has become crucial for UK organisations, and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) offers five distinct schemes to help demonstrate compliance to stakeholders.
At Risk Evolves, depending on the size of the organisation, we always advocate IASME Cyber Assurance or ISO 27701 as mechanisms of showing a greater commitment to privacy, and to differentiate organisations from others in the same industry. These certifications provide tangible compliance benefits that set businesses apart. However, certain industries now have their own specific scheme which can now be certified against.
Understanding ICO Certification Schemes
ADISA ICT Asset Recovery Certification 8.0
This scheme targets organisations who provide data sanitisation services, including the permanent removal of information from devices such as hard drives, photocopiers, etc before the device is recycled or reused.
Age Check Certification Scheme (ACCS)
ACCS tests that age assurance products work. Age assurance products allow organisations to estimate or verify a person’s age so they can purchase or access age restricted products or services.
Age Appropriate Design Certification Scheme (AADCS)
The AADCS scheme provides criteria for the age-appropriate design of information society services which are based on the ICO’s Children’s Code.
Legal Services Operational Privacy Certification Scheme (LOCS)
The scheme applies to legal service providers including law firms, solicitors, barrister’s chambers, barristers and other providers, for their processing of personal data in relation to the legal services provided, held in the ‘client file’.
Provision of Training and Qualifications Services
This scheme is aimed at organisations who deliver training. The companies, private and public, will be acting as data controllers, in all activities relating to their provision of training and qualifications services to students over the age of 16. These organisations may also be Ofqual regulated.
Maximise Your Certification Benefits
While there are currently only five schemes available, we expect this number to increase, offering even more opportunities for organisations to demonstrate their commitment to data protection.
Take Action Today
If you are in one of the industries listed above and are interested to find out more and discover how we help you gain certification, then please get in touch.
Contact Us01926 800710
