Digital and Data Audits

General Principle

Every accredited school is subject to an annual digital and data audit, conducted by WEQSC, in accordance with the WEQSC framework.

The purpose of the digital and data audit is to verify the adherence of the school to the standards set out in the Standards and Compliance section and the Data and Technology section of this portal.

Scope of the Digital and Data Audit

The digital and data audit covers, at minimum:

• Records Management — The retention, storage, and integrity of records, in accordance with the Document and Database Management page;
• Data Modification Governance — The compliance of the school with the data modification procedure, in accordance with the Data Modification Governance page;
• Data Protection — The compliance of the school with the data protection requirements set out in the Data Protection and Privacy page;
• Cybersecurity — The compliance of the school with the cybersecurity requirements set out in the Cybersecurity Requirements page;
• Portal Usage — The compliance of the school with the Portal requirements set out in the Institution Management Portal page;
• Data Quality — The accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the data submitted to the Portal.

Self-Assessment

The digital and data audit commences with a self-assessment completed by the school through the Institution Management Portal. The self-assessment requires the school to assess its own compliance with the standards set out in the relevant pages of this portal.

The self-assessment must be submitted by 30 September each year.

Desk Review

Following submission of the self-assessment, WEQSC conducts a desk review of the self-assessment and the records of the school. The desk review may identify matters requiring further clarification or verification.

On-Site Inspection

Where the desk review identifies matters requiring further verification, or where the school has been the subject of a prior matter requiring verification, WEQSC may conduct an on-site inspection.

The on-site inspection is conducted by a WEQSC inspector or an inspector appointed by WEQSC. The inspector verifies the declarations in the self-assessment against observed conditions.

Data Quality Standard

WEQSC applies a data quality standard of one hundred per cent to the data submitted by accredited schools. The standard requires that:

• Every required submission is made within the specified deadline;
• Every submission is complete and accurate;
• Every submission passes validation;
• No submission is subsequently found to require correction.

A failure to meet the data quality standard is classified as a Major Finding and may result in provisional accreditation, suspension, or termination.

Findings and Corrective Action

Where the digital and data audit identifies a deficiency, WEQSC issues an audit finding, classified as Critical, Major, or Minor. The school must submit a Corrective Action Plan in accordance with the audit framework.

Breach — Consequences

A breach of any provision of this page is subject to the audit regime and, where applicable, to the suspension and termination regime set out in this section.

Conclusion

The digital and data audit is the instrument through which the integrity of the records and data of an accredited school is verified. All digital and data audit procedures not expressly set out in this portal must follow the Secretariat's official bylaws.