Data Protection Audit
Building trust starts with demonstrating that personal data is handled responsibly, lawfully, and securely. A Data Protection Audit provides the assurance your organisation needs – highlighting strengths, identifying gaps, and ensuring compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Why a data protection audit matters
Data protection is not static – laws, technologies, and expectations are constantly shifting. Without regular review, policies and processes can quickly become outdated, leaving organisations exposed.
A Data Protection Audit helps you:
- Stay ahead of compliance by identifying gaps before they become issues.
- Protect your reputation by showing staff, customers, and stakeholders that data privacy is taken seriously.
- Strengthen operations by ensuring processes are consistent, efficient, and legally sound.
- Build accountability with clear evidence of how personal data is managed and protected.
An audit provides a complete picture of how your organisation manages data, helping you to reduce risk, build accountability, and demonstrate best practice.
What’s included in our Data Protection Audit
Our audits are tailored to your organisation’s needs and typically carried out over 4–6 days, depending on scope. They include:
- Discovery Meeting – Engaging with your data protection lead and relevant staff to understand how data is collected, processed, stored, and deleted.
- Policy & Document Review – Assessing your existing documentation, such as:
- Privacy Notice
- Data Protection Policy
- Record of Processing Activities
- Subject Access Request Policy
- Data Breach Policy
- Appropriate Policy Document
- Fundraising Practices
- Referral Forms
- Legitimate Interest Assessments
- Consent Forms
- Cookies Policy
- Employment and Volunteer Contracts
- Safeguarding, Media & Communication, and CCTV Policies
- Templates of Data Sharing Agreements (DSAs) and Data Processing Agreements (DPAs)
- Gap Analysis – Comparing policies and processes against legal requirements and best practice.
- Follow-Up Meetings – Discussing findings, clarifying responsibilities, and finalising the audit.
- Optional Training – Equipping staff with the knowledge to apply recommendations and strengthen compliance.
Why work with Hope & May?
- Independent, expert review of your data protection practices.
- Practical recommendations tailored to your organisation.
- Clear, jargon-free advice that turns compliance into action.
- Cost-effective service delivered by experienced professionals.
With Hope & May’s Data Protection Audit, you gain peace of mind that your organisation is compliant, accountable, and trusted to protect the personal data it holds.