Standards Comparison

    GDPR UK

    Mandatory
    2021

    UK regulation for personal data protection compliance

    VS

    APRA CPS 234

    Mandatory
    2019

    Australian prudential standard for information security resilience.

    Quick Verdict

    GDPR UK mandates data protection for all UK personal data handlers, enforcing rights and principles with hefty fines. APRA CPS 234 requires Australian financial firms to build cyber-resilient security capabilities under board oversight. Organizations adopt them for legal compliance and risk mitigation.

    Data Privacy

    GDPR UK

    UK General Data Protection Regulation

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Accountability principle demands demonstrable compliance evidence
    • Fines up to 4% global annual turnover
    • Seven core data processing principles enforced
    • 72-hour ICO breach notification requirement
    • Risk-based DPIAs for high-risk processing
    Information Security

    APRA CPS 234

    APRA Prudential Standard CPS 234 Information Security

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Board ultimate responsibility for information security
    • 72-hour APRA notification for material incidents
    • Third-party managed assets fully in scope
    • Systematic risk-based control testing program
    • Internal audit assurance of all controls

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    GDPR UK Details

    What It Is

    UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) is the UK's post-Brexit data protection law, adapting EU GDPR via Data Protection Act 2018. It is a binding regulation enforced by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), applying to personal data processing with risk-based, accountability-focused approach across controllers and processors.

    Key Components

    • Seven core principles: lawfulness, purpose limitation, minimisation, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity/confidentiality, accountability.
    • Data subject rights (access, erasure, portability, objection).
    • Controller/processor obligations (RoPA, DPIAs, contracts).
    • No certification; compliance via demonstrable evidence, ICO audits/enforcement.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Legal obligation for UK-established or targeting entities; mitigates fines up to 4% global turnover. Enhances trust, reduces breach risks, enables cross-border operations. Builds reputation, supports Privacy by Design.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: governance, data mapping (RoPA), policies, DPIAs, security, rights handling, audits. Applies to all sizes/industries in UK scope; ongoing monitoring, no formal certification but ICO fines for non-compliance. (178 words)

    APRA CPS 234 Details

    What It Is

    APRA Prudential Standard CPS 234 (Information Security) is a binding prudential regulation issued by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). Effective from 1 July 2019, it mandates APRA-regulated financial institutions to maintain information security capabilities commensurate with threats and vulnerabilities. Its risk-based approach emphasizes governance, controls, testing, and rapid incident reporting to protect confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) of information assets, including those managed by third parties.

    Key Components

    • 11 core requirements spanning board accountability, role definitions, policy frameworks, asset classification, lifecycle controls, incident response, systematic testing, and internal audit assurance.
    • Built on CIA triad principles with commensurability to risks.
    • No fixed controls; compliance via evidence of effectiveness, with 72-hour material incident and 10-business-day control weakness notifications to APRA.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mandatory for APRA-regulated entities (banks, insurers, super funds) to avoid penalties, heightened scrutiny.
    • Enhances cyber resilience, stakeholder trust, operational continuity.
    • Manages third-party risks, supports competitive differentiation.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, governance, asset inventory, controls, testing, assurance.
    • Applies to all sizes; audits via internal/external reviews, no formal certification.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    GDPR UK
    Personal data processing principles, rights, security
    APRA CPS 234
    Information security capability, cyber resilience

    Industry

    GDPR UK
    All sectors handling UK personal data
    APRA CPS 234
    Australian financial services (banks, insurers)

    Nature

    GDPR UK
    Mandatory UK regulation with ICO enforcement
    APRA CPS 234
    Mandatory prudential standard by APRA

    Testing

    GDPR UK
    DPIAs for high-risk, security effectiveness evaluation
    APRA CPS 234
    Systematic independent control testing annually

    Penalties

    GDPR UK
    Up to £17.5M or 4% global turnover fines
    APRA CPS 234
    Supervisory actions, remediation orders, sanctions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about GDPR UK and APRA CPS 234

    GDPR UK FAQ

    APRA CPS 234 FAQ

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