BS 10012 is a British management system standard that facilitates the implementation of a personal information management system (PIMS). Its purpose is to support organizations in achieving GDPR compliance with data protection laws and implementing good practices.
By adopting the framework provided by BS 10012, organizations can effectively manage privacy risks associated with personal data and establish appropriate policies, procedures, and controls.
The standard was updated in March 2017 to align with the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), demonstrating its relevance and applicability in meeting GDPR requirements.
Article 42 of the GDPR encourages the development of data protection certification mechanisms that enable controllers and processors to demonstrate compliance with the regulation. BS 10012 serves precisely this purpose by providing a certification option for organizations seeking to showcase their adherence to GDPR and data processing operations.
BS 10012 follows the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) continuous improvement model and aligns with ISO Annex SL, a framework adopted by key management system standards. This alignment allows organizations to integrate their PIMS with other standards, notably ISO/IEC 27001:2013.
Certification against BS 10012 is available, providing organizations with the opportunity to validate their compliance with the standard's requirements.
Benefits of Implementing BS 10012:2017
Through the implementation and certification of your Personal Information Management System (PIMS) according to BS 10012:2017, you can achieve several benefits:
Demonstrate Commitment: By aligning with BS 10012, you can showcase your dedication to safeguarding personal data of clients and stakeholders, instilling confidence in your data protection practices.
Risk Identification and Mitigation: The framework provided by BS 10012 helps identify potential risks associated with personal information and enables the implementation of appropriate controls to mitigate those risks, enhancing data security.
Compliance with GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018: Implementing BS 10012 allows you to use the management system as part of a privacy compliance framework. This demonstrates your commitment to complying with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Continuous Improvement: BS 10012 provides a benchmark for managing personal data according to recognized best practices. By adopting this standard, you can continually assess and improve your management of personal data, ensuring ongoing compliance and data protection.
Reputation Protection: By implementing robust data protection measures and complying with relevant standards, you can protect your organization's reputation and minimize the risk of adverse publicity resulting from data breaches or mishandling of personal information.
Competitive Advantage: Certification against BS 10012 provides a competitive edge when seeking and retaining business. Demonstrating compliance and strong data protection practices can give you an advantage over competitors, as clients and partners value organizations that prioritize the security and privacy of personal data.
In summary, implementing and certifying your PIMS against BS 10012 allows you to demonstrate commitment, mitigate risks, comply with regulations, improve data management practices, protect your reputation, and gain a competitive advantage in the market.
How do I Achieve Certification to BS 10012:2017
URM, as a leading implementer of ISO 27001 and with extensive expertise in data protection, is well-equipped to assist you in developing and implementing a Personal Information Management System (PIMS) aligned with BS 10012:2017. URM offers a range of services to support your journey towards certification:
Gap Analysis: URM GDPR consultants can conduct a thorough assessment of your existing PIMS, comparing it against the requirements of BS 10012, to identify areas that need improvement.
Full Lifecycle Services: URM provides comprehensive services throughout the entire implementation process, addressing various aspects such as:
Context of the Organization: URM helps you understand and document the organizational context, including determining the scope of the PIMS.
Leadership and Commitment: URM assists in demonstrating leadership and commitment by establishing a PIMS policy.
Risk and Opportunity Planning: URM supports you in planning actions to address risks and opportunities, including defining processes for data inventory, data flow analysis, data protection impact assessment (DPIA), and risk treatment.
Resource Management: URM helps determine and provide the necessary resources for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving the PIMS.
PIMS Implementation: URM guides you through the implementation process, conducting risk assessments and ensuring compliance with GDPR principles and requirements, such as fair and lawful processing of personal information in a transparent manner.
Performance Evaluation: URM assists in evaluating the performance of the PIMS by conducting internal audits and management reviews.
Continual Improvement: URM supports you in implementing corrective and preventive actions to continually improve the PIMS.
By leveraging URM's expertise and services, you can streamline your journey towards BS 10012 certification and ensure effective management of personal information in line with data protection regulations and best practices.