GDPR Audit Checklist Template - Free Editable PDF

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GDPR audit checklist template

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Use this template with Lumiform

The Lumiform application helps frontline teams uphold internal standards effortlessly.

Customize this template or build your own
Fill out templates via mobile app
Assign and track corrective actions
Get reports and analyse your data

Prices start from ░░░ per month

Book a demo

Learn more

This comprehensive GDPR audit checklist template enables you to conduct thorough internal assessments of your data protection practices across all key compliance areas. The template is distinctively structured around the accountability principle, helping you not only identify gaps but also document your compliance efforts—a critical requirement often overlooked during regulatory investigations.

When preparing for board meetings or stakeholder reviews, you can leverage this checklist to demonstrate your organization’s proactive approach to data protection. According to recent data, organizations conducting regular GDPR audits experience 63% fewer reportable data breaches than those without systematic review processes.

Related categories

Preview of the template

Data Inventory

Is there a comprehensive data inventory?

Does the inventory include details on data sources, types, and purposes?

Is the inventory regularly updated?

Legal Grounds for Processing

Is there a legal basis for all personal data processing activities?

Are data subjects informed about the legal grounds for processing?

Are consent records properly managed and documented?

Data Subject Rights

Are processes in place to handle data subject access requests?

Are data subject rights (e.g., rectification, erasure) properly addressed?

Are timelines for responding to requests being met?

Privacy Notices

Are comprehensive privacy notices provided to data subjects?

Do privacy notices clearly explain data processing activities?

Are privacy notices regularly reviewed and updated?

Data Transfers

Are there any cross-border data transfers?

Are appropriate safeguards in place for cross-border transfers?

Are data transfer agreements properly documented?

Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs)

Are DPIAs conducted for high-risk data processing activities?

Are DPIAs reviewed and updated periodically?

Are mitigation measures from DPIAs implemented?

Technical and Organizational Measures

Are appropriate technical security measures in place?

Are organizational controls (e.g., policies, training) effective?

Are access controls and authentication methods adequate?

Data Breach Management

Is there a data breach response plan in place?

Are data breaches properly logged and reported?

Are data breach notifications sent to authorities and data subjects?

Third-Party Management

Are third-party processors and their data practices assessed?

Are appropriate data processing agreements in place?

Are third-party security and privacy controls monitored?

Governance and Accountability

Is there a designated Data Protection Officer (DPO)?

Are privacy and data protection policies established and followed?

Are privacy and data protection responsibilities clearly defined?

Frequently asked questions

How can I use the audit findings to improve our GDPR compliance program?

Transform audit findings into a prioritized remediation plan based on risk level and implementation complexity. Assign clear ownership for each action item, establish realistic deadlines, and create a tracking mechanism to monitor progress. Use subsequent audits to verify effectiveness of implemented changes and identify new improvement opportunities.

What documentation should I maintain alongside the completed GDPR audit checklist?

Maintain supporting evidence for each audit response, including screenshots of system settings, copies of policies, training records, and data processing agreements. This documentation demonstrates due diligence during regulatory inquiries and provides historical context for future audits to track compliance improvements over time.

How does this GDPR audit checklist help prepare for regulatory investigations?

The checklist helps you identify and address compliance gaps before regulators discover them, documents your proactive compliance efforts, and organizes evidence demonstrating accountability. During investigations, you can quickly provide authorities with comprehensive information about your data protection practices, potentially reducing penalties if violations happen.

What’s the difference between this GDPR audit checklist and a data protection impact assessment?

The GDPR audit checklist evaluates your overall compliance program across all GDPR requirements, while a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) focuses specifically on assessing privacy risks of individual processing activities. The audit is retrospective and comprehensive, whereas DPIAs are prospective and activity-specific.

This template, developed by Lumiform employees, serves as a starting point for businesses using the Lumiform platform and is intended as a hypothetical example only. It does not replace professional advice. Companies should consult qualified professionals to assess the suitability and legality of using this template in their specific workplace or jurisdiction. Lumiform is not liable for any errors or omissions in this template or for any actions taken based on its content.