internal-privacy-audit
Internal Privacy Audit Program
Overview
An internal privacy audit program provides systematic, independent assurance that an organization's privacy practices conform to applicable data protection regulations, internal policies, contractual obligations, and recognized frameworks. Unlike external audits (SOC 2, ISO 27701 certification), internal privacy audits are conducted by or on behalf of the organization itself, giving management direct visibility into compliance gaps before they become regulatory findings or breaches.
The internal privacy audit function operates under the IIA (Institute of Internal Auditors) International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing and adapts these standards to the privacy domain. At Sentinel Compliance Group, the internal privacy audit program reports to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, maintaining independence from the privacy operations function it audits.
Audit Universe Definition
The privacy audit universe represents the complete set of auditable entities, processes, and systems relevant to privacy compliance. It forms the basis for risk-based audit planning.