Ward Hadaway has been awarded an official seal of approval for the way it keeps clients’ data and information secure.
The firm has been awarded ISO 27001 certification for information security management by BSI, the business standards company for all three of its offices in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester.
ISO 27001 is an internationally recognised best practice framework for an information security management system.
In order to secure ISO 27001 certification, Ward Hadaway had to establish, implement, maintain and continually improve an information security management system and pass a rigorous inspection process, involving a number of visits by BSI auditors. During the certification process all aspects of security were assessed from IT to physical security.
The firm is now also certified to ISO 9001 for quality management systems.
Jennifer Kilmartin, information security manager at Ward Hadaway, said: “ISO 27001 is an exacting standard and one which cannot be implemented overnight so we are delighted to have secured the status.
“It demonstrates that the way we handle information and data in whatever format – electronic, written or online, as well as the procedures and processes we have in place, are in line with international standards.”
Toni Jones, UK head of client propositions at BSI commented: “The security of information is of utmost importance today and by gaining certification, Ward Hadaway has demonstrated a proactive approach to ensuring the protection of their customer’s data’ and in ensuring that they keep security risks under control now and in the future.”
