DMA's New DataSeal Awarded to Leading UK Bureau Consultancy
Meta-morphix, the UK's leading full service data bureau consultancy, is the first company to have successfully undergone stringent auditing of their data security system by the BSi to receive the new DataSeal security standard, which is currently only available to DMA members in the UK.
The BSi-backed standard, which was developed in conjunction with the Direct Marketing Association, gives members a roadmap for how to cope with consumer concerns about the security of their personal information.
DataSeal is the only recognised standard for information security management systems other than ISO 2700. It is a cost effective alternative for marketing services suppliers and companies using data for marketing purposes to fulfil their information security responsibilities without the need to achieve the extended requirements of the ISO 27001.
Selected by the DMA to test and help specify the auditing requirements for the BSi, REaD Group-owned meta-morphix is the first company to have been awarded the private standard without already holding ISO 27001 and as such their DataSeal bears the illustrious accreditation number of DS1-001.
Rob Salmon, Managing Director of meta-morphix expressed his delight that the company is the first in the United Kingdom to complete the audit process for DataSeal successfully. "Our prospects and clients can be confident that our data security provisions have been rigorously checked and approved, ensuring that their outsourced data marketing activities are being delivered by a professional company that takes the issue of data security seriously."
Commentary Box: Mike Lordan, Chief of Operations, Direct Marketing Association UK
DataSeal - Time to Rebuild Consumer and Political Confidence
Until now, ISO 27001 has been the only information security standard available to marketing suppliers in the UK. Whilst this stands as the UK's definitive information security standard, achieving certification is beyond the capability of many companies. For this reason the DMA UK is leading the way in supporting direct marketing services suppliers to prove they adhere to robust information security procedures.
Working in conjunction with BSi, the DMA UK has launched DataSeal, the first private information security standard to be produced specifically for the UK direct marketing industry. DataSeal provides an accessible, achievable and cost-effective means for suppliers and client companies to demonstrate that they have implemented appropriate information security measures within their business. Currently, DataSeal is only available to UK-based companies, but it is hoped that the scheme one day will be adopted by DMA chapters throughout the world.
Like all other BSi-backed standards, UK companies can only achieve DataSeal certification after passing an audit by an independent auditor. As such, DataSeal certification is a credible measure of a company's data handling capabilities.
Certification, of course, yields great commercial benefits for suppliers that need to prove to prospective clients that they can be entrusted with managing their customers' data. Where appropriate, it can also help companies move towards the standards required for ISO 27001 certification. However, on a wider scale the DataSeal scheme will not only help to rebuild consumer confidence in sharing their personal details with companies, it will also demonstrate to government that the direct marketing industry has its house in order and does not require yet more regulation to keep it in check.
For more information on DataSeal, please visit: www.dma.org.uk/dataseal
Article from Direct Marketing International, Aug 2010