ISAE 3000 Type 2 attestation

The real estate sector is facing a critical challenge: maintaining transparency and data integrity has become a business imperative, not a choice. Investors, regulators, and tenants demand verifiable proof, not just promises. To meet these growing expectations, sustainability data must be as rigorous and audit-ready as financial reporting. However, many real estate firms struggle with sustainability data integrity due to inconsistencies, lack of standardization, and unreliable tracking. Without a strong framework for assurance, companies risk non-compliance, reputational damage, and missed investment opportunities. The need for a robust data assurance framework has never been more pressing. This is where ISAE 3000 comes in.

Deepki, the leading sustainability SaaS solution, has successfully attained ISAE 3000 Type 2 attestation. This milestone reinforces Deepki’s commitment to delivering audit-ready data at an enterprise level, ensuring that sustainability data meets the same rigorous assurance standards as financial information. This glossary explores the ISAE 3000 attestation, its implications, and how Deepki’s achievement enhances credibility, simplifies audits, and strengthens investor confidence.

What is ISAE 3000, and why does it matter?

The International Standard on Assurance Engagements (ISAE) 3000 is an internationally recognized standard for assurance engagements on non-financial information published by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB). Organizations use this standard to assess and report on a wide range of subject matters, including information security, data privacy, sustainability, compliance, and internal controls. 

Comparable to the ISAE 3402 standard for financial data assurance, ISAE 3000 is a critical benchmark for organizations that need to demonstrate the reliability of their sustainability data.

Deepki’s ISAE 3000 Type 2 certification: a new standard for data integrity

At the heart of any successful sustainability strategy lies the quality of the data collected. Without accurate, reliable, and auditable data, real estate companies struggle to measure financial performance, assess investment risks, or demonstrate regulatory compliance. Deepki’s ISAE 3000 Type 2 attestation builds on its previous Type 1 attestation, reinforcing its commitment to data integrity and operational excellence, demonstrating that its sustainability data collection processes consistently meet and exceed industry standards.

A rigorous, industry-leading audit process

Following an in-depth audit by KPMG, Deepki’s ISAE 3000 Type 2 attestation confirms that its data collection processes adhere to the highest quality standards. It ensures that control procedures, tools, and expertise meet the highest requirements in terms of data quality, and above all, that teams carry out these controls systematically, offering customers confidence in the reliability of their sustainability data.

It gives Deepki’s customers official assurance that the data collection processes used in sustainability reporting are designed, implemented, and operated effectively. This is a powerful tool that enhances the credibility of the data used to assess sustainable performance, helping companies to stay compliant with evolving regulations like SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation) and build trust with stakeholders.

It highlights the necessity of reliable, auditable data to drive informed decision-making and mitigate risks associated with underperforming or “stranded” assets”. With this attestation, Deepki aims to support the market in recognising the importance of performance data. 

Streamlining audits and reducing workload

ISAE 3000 Type 2 attestation not only reinforces data integrity but also streamlines the audit process by reducing the need for additional quality checks. Companies leveraging Deepki’s platform benefit from:

• More efficient reporting: reduced manual verification, saving time and resources.
• Easier compliance verification: a standardized assurance process that meets global audit expectations.
• Enhanced credibility: third-party validation of data quality for stakeholders.

ISAE 3000 Type 1 vs. Type 2: Key differences

An ISAE 3000 engagement can result in two types of reports.

ISAE	Type 1 report	Type 2 report
Purpose	Assurance on the design and existence of controls.	Assurance on the design, existence, and operating effectiveness of controls over a period of time. It provides evidence that the controls function as intended throughout the specified period.
Focus	Design and existence of controls	Design, existence, and ongoing operation of controls.
Time period	Specific date	Defined period (e.g, 6 or 12 months)
Type of audit	Checking if controls exist and appropriate at the time of declaration.	Test if the controls have worked effectively and continuously during the period.
Use	Can be used when the organisation needs to demonstrate that controls are designed correctly from the start.	Can be used when the organisation needs to show that the controls work effectively over time, increasing confidence in the system’s resilience.
Evidence	Documentation for design and existence.	Documentation of the design, existence, and effective operation of the controls.

Who needs an ISAE 3000 Type 2 attestation?

ISAE 3000 Type 2 attestation is valuable for organizations that handle sensitive data or provide critical services to clients, particularly in sectors with strict regulatory requirements, such as financial services, healthcare, and technology. It is also essential for companies committed to demonstrating their dedication to data security and privacy.

As sustainability data becomes increasingly integrated into financial reporting, Deepki has chosen to apply the same high standards to sustainability topics as it does to financial data. We consider sustainability data to be just as essential for both customers and auditors, which is why our ISAE 3000 Type 2 attestation demonstrates our commitment to this principle. Deepki ensures that the data our clients gather and use for their reports complies with all audit requirements through a robust process that guarantees its reliability. 

By obtaining this certification, we are setting a new industry benchmark for sustainability data assurance in the real estate sector. This initiative is part of our broader goal to ensure that sustainability data is not only accurate but also recognized as a critical tool in tackling climate change.