3.3.6 Self-assessment and external certification Copy URL
The repository shall commit to a regular schedule of self-assessment and external certification.
This is necessary in order to ensure the repository continues to be trustworthy and there is no threat to its content.
Completed, dated checklists from self-assessments and/or third-party audits; certificates awarded for compliance with relevant ISO standards; timetables and evidence of adequate budget allocations for future certification.
A one-time check on trustworthiness is not adequate because many things will change over time. A longer term commitment should be demonstrated.
The 2015 APTrust roadmap document listed “TDR analysis, adoption of practices, eventual certification” as a high priority outcome of the Certification working group. The work of the Certification working group and the documentation that is presented on Trusted Digital Repository wiki and organized per the Trusted Digital Repository structure represents the steps of the self-assessment process.
In 2019 APTrust completed a self-assessment process and in August 2021 APTrust and Virginia Tech University submitted a co-application to be certified under the CoreTrustSeal. As of February 2022 the application is under review.
See APTrust Background for detailed information on certification efforts.
Find the following policies on the Policies page.
The Core Preservation Service Policy states that, “This policy is to be reviewed and updated annually by a group designated by either the APTrust Board and/or the Advisory Committee.” The Policy also includes a history of versions and reviewers.
The APTrust Collection Strategy Policy states that the Review frequency is “No less frequently than two years from adoption or previous review.” The Policy also includes a history of versions and reviewers.
Academic Preservation Trust Succession Policy outlines the process for regular review and evaluation of APTrust’s financial health twice each year.