#United States #New York #FTI Consulting #Interactive Advertising Bureau #SafeGuard Privacy

IAB Introduces the Authorized Assessor Program

On January 21, 2026, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) unveiled the IAB Authorized Assessor Program, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at providing standardized diligence services for its members within the digital advertising industry. The program, launched in collaboration with FTI Consulting's Technology segment, is the first authorized assessor licensed to use the IAB Diligence Platform, which is supported by SafeGuard Privacy. This program represents a significant milestone in the effort to strengthen accountability and trust throughout the digital advertising ecosystem, particularly in light of recently instituted privacy regulations.

Streamlining Vendor Due Diligence

The Authorized Assessor Program is designed to offer IAB members expert advisory services that integrate seamlessly with the IAB Diligence Platform. This initiative enables brands, agencies, and publishers to conduct rigorous vendor reviews with a consistent and auditable framework. Highlights of the program include access to informed guidance from FTI Technology's global team of experts in data privacy, advertising technology, and information governance.

As digital advertising landscape evolves, the need for transparent vendor assessments has become paramount. The collaboration between IAB and FTI Technology is timely, especially given California's new privacy regulations that took effect on January 1, 2026, mandating rigorous risk assessments.

Comprehensive Assessment Resources

The program provides participants with several key benefits:

• - Expert Advisory: Clients can leverage the extensive resources offered by FTI Technology to tailor their risk-based privacy frameworks according to responses provided by vendors in the Diligence Platform.
• - In-Depth Review Resources: Vendors’ responses within the Diligence Platform are thoroughly evaluated, ensuring an accurate assessment of vendor-specific risks that align precisely with the client's operations.
• - Industry-Specific Diligence: The program emphasizes verification and stress testing for high-risk vendors and addresses critical questions related to privacy risks specific to each client’s business model.

Enhancing Operational Efficiency

For IAB members, the introduction of the Authorized Assessor program marks a crucial step toward integrating privacy diligence into their operational processes. This not only enhances efficiency and deal speed but also ensures compliance with data privacy regulations—an essential consideration for brands in an increasingly regulated environment. The partnership with SafeGuard Privacy, the exclusive technology provider for the IAB Diligence Platform, emphasizes the initiative's commitment to creating a privacy-first diligence process that is standardized and widely recognized by professionals in the digital advertising domain.

Industry's Growing Demand for Compliance

Michael Hahn, Executive Vice President and General Counsel to the IAB, spoke to the growing need for comprehensive data privacy and compliance consulting, emphasizing that the demand for reliable vendor due diligence methods has surged in recent years. "By pairing FTI Technology's expertise with the IAB Diligence Platform, we can offer a unique value proposition that combines premium resources with a standardized, technology-enabled framework. This collaboration makes compliance more efficient and scalable compared to traditional assessments, providing our members with a thorough consultative approach."

Moreover, Steve Stein, a Senior Managing Director at FTI Technology, highlighted the common inefficiencies observed in vendor assessment procedures. He stated, "The launch of the Authorized Assessor Program is a stride towards rectifying these inefficiencies and fortifying privacy compliance across the industry. Our experts are equipped to evaluate vendors rigorously and develop frameworks that adapt to a dynamic regulatory landscape."

A Step Forward in Privacy Standards

As IAB and FTI Technology work together on this initiative, they aim to improve the vendor assessment experience for all members. The development and implementation of the Authorized Assessor Program illustrate the collaborative efforts within the industry to advance privacy standards, ensure accountability, and foster trust in the digital advertising supply chain.

For IAB members interested in utilizing the benefits of the Authorized Assessor Program, details are readily available through the IAB Diligence Platform. The IAB continues to empower media and marketing enterprises to flourish in the digital environment, guided by the principles of transparency, accountability, and collaboration in an era of rapidly evolving privacy regulations.