Are you looking to improve trust for your organization and credibility with your clients using a Data Protection Trustmark (DPTM) certification? Good choice – but thousands of companies in Singapore have been using DPTM certification as a quality stamp on their operating procedures, and many make critical mistakes that delay or completely derail their application!

Here are 5 common errors to avoid:

1. Assuming PDPA Compliance is Sufficient

DPTM is much more than just the basics of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). The applicant needs to show that they have a thorough data governance structure, risk mitigation processes, and their staff must be held accountable.

2. Failing to Train Internally
Demonstrating a lack of staff awareness is a definite shortcoming. You will be required to provide evidence of the frequency of data protection training and it cannot just be a 20- minute online orientation produced by external sources.

3. Inadequate Documentation

You need to demonstrate where the data flows, how it is handled and who receives access all the while maintaining appropriate polices to support your processes.

4. Missing Audit Timeline
If your organization delays submitting documents and/or responding to the audit documentation requests, you may be risking your certification timeline, which may also incur significant costs.

5. Not Seeking Professional Assistance

An experienced external consultant’s contributions in identifying gaps, assisting you align with the DPTM framework and ultimately expediting the certification process can speed up your project and improve results.