Privacy Compliance Audit is a proactive process aimed at evaluating an organization's data processing practices and identifying non-compliance with the law before a state inspection or data leak occurs. The enactment of the new "Law on Personal Data Protection" and increased fines have made audits a critical necessity. An audit is not just checking documents; it is a complex analysis covering information security, physical protection, employee awareness, and the transparency of business processes. Regular audits help a company maintain the principle of "accountability" and be ready for any challenges.
The audit results in a detailed report and action plan, giving management a clear picture of existing risks. Legal.ge offers access to independent experts and auditors who have experience with both Georgian legislation and international standards (ISO 27001, GDPR).
What does a Privacy Compliance Audit cover?
An audit is a systematic check covering the following components:
- Gap Analysis: Comparing the current state with legal requirements and identifying specific violations.
- Data Mapping: Describing incoming and outgoing information flows in the organization: what data is collected, where it is stored, who it is transferred to, and when it is destroyed.
- Documentation Revision: Checking the legal validity of policies, contracts, consent forms, and internal instructions.
- IT Security Review: Assessing the adequacy of technical measures (encryption, access control, logging) from a legal perspective.
- Third-Party Risks: Checking contractors (data processors) — how well they protect the data you transfer to them.
- Physical Security: Checking the security of server rooms, archives, and workspaces.
Common Real-World Scenarios
Audits are particularly relevant in the following cases:
- New Product Launch: A bank is creating a new app. It is essential to check the "Privacy by Design" principle before launch.
- Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A): An investor is buying a clinic and wants to ensure that patient databases are maintained legally to avoid future fines.
- Expecting an Inspection: A company received a notification about a planned inspection or suspects a complaint has been filed. An urgent "internal rehearsal" is needed.
- Outsourcing: A company is moving to cloud services or hiring a call center. An audit determines if this decision is safe.
Legal Framework: Accountability and Prevention
The Law of Georgia on Personal Data Protection obliges the data controller to take appropriate organizational and technical measures to protect data. An audit is precisely the mechanism for fulfilling this obligation. The law also provides for a "Data Protection Impact Assessment" (DPIA) document for high-risk processing. The audit report can serve as evidence for the supervisory authority that the company acted in good faith and tried to correct deficiencies, which is considered a mitigating circumstance.
Step-by-Step Service Process
- Planning: Defining the scope and objectives of the audit.
- Information Gathering: Interviews with employees, inspecting systems.
- Analysis: Evaluating gathered facts against the law.
- Reporting: Ranking violations by risk (high, medium, low).
- Recommendations: Specific steps to eliminate deficiencies.
Why choose a specialist on Legal.ge?
An independent audit is the best investment in security. Internal employees often fail to notice routine violations ("we've always done it this way"), while an external auditor shows you an objective picture. Specialists on Legal.ge possess deep expertise and will help you turn data protection into a competitive advantage for your business. Check your compliance today to be at peace tomorrow.
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