We are proud to announce that Archive-Vault has achieved ISO 9001:2015 and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certifications. Awarded by an independent UKAS-accredited certification body in March 2024, these qualifications demonstrate our ongoing commitment to maintaining robust information security and delivering an outstanding service to our clients.
As organisations across all sectors become increasingly concerned about data security, we made the proactive decision to pursue these two certificates towards the end of 2023. By meeting the rigorous standards of the certificates and satisfying third-party auditors, we ensure we continue to keep client documents safe and continually improve as a business.
“With Archive-Vault experiencing rapid growth, we recognised the need for well-defined and standardised processes across the organisation,” says Operations Manager Emily Pitcher. “We worked closely with a UKAS-approved body to assess the business and operational requirements before being audited and achieving certification.
“ISO 9001 and 27001 solidify our existing practices and form a strong foundation for future expansion. It was a challenging process, but we’re delighted to have secured both standards.”
What is ISO certification?
ISO stands for ‘International Organisation for Standardisation’. It is a global system designed to standardise best practices across a broad range of disciplines, including quality management, environmental management and occupational health and safety. Businesses can apply to official assessment bodies, such as those accredited by UKAS, to be audited and certified to demonstrate their adherence to specific requirements.
As a document storage and records management specialist, we identified ISO 9001 and 27001 as the two most relevant ISO certifications for our clients.
ISO 9001
ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised standard that sets out the requirements for a quality management system (QMS). It’s a framework that guarantees we consistently deliver high-quality services to our clients and stakeholders. In order to achieve this standard, we demonstrated how we manage client expectations and incorporate continuous improvement and strong leadership within our day-to-day operations.
ISO 27001
ISO 27001 certification cements our unwavering dedication to information security – both online and off. It reinforces that we have defined processes in place across our business to manage confidentiality and eliminate risks before they arise. In addition, it ensures we have protocols in place to handle a data breach or cyber-attack, minimising disruption and ensuring a swift recovery.
How we were audited
The certification process for both standards involved a comprehensive two-step audit across the whole business by a UKAS-accredited body.
The first stage, which took place during December 2023, was a Stage One Audit. Our operations and processes were assessed and areas for improvement were identified. In the months that followed, our team set about addressing those areas and ensuring that processes are defined, monitored and maintained.
This was followed in March 2024 by a rigorous Stage Two Audit across three days to confirm our adherence to the standards’ requirements. An independent auditor meticulously reviewed our operations, inspected our storage facilities, and even visited one of our clients to build a complete picture of our business.
To maintain our certifications, we will undergo annual surveillance audits for the next two years, followed by a full recertification audit in the third year.
Discover how our ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications could benefit your organisation
Speak to our friendly team on 01603 720722 to find out more about our ISO-certificated document storage and records management services today.