Data Privacy

Data privacy is a critical component of corporate governance and risk management. With increasing regulatory scrutiny and heightened cybersecurity risks, organizations must adopt a structured approach to ensure compliance, protect sensitive information, and mitigate data breach risks. Below is a detailed breakdown of the full scope of data privacy services offered, including various steps involved to justify the professional fees charged.

1. Data Privacy Strategy & Framework Development

Assessment of Current Data Privacy Maturity

  • Conduct a Data Privacy Gap Analysis against relevant laws (e.g., GDPR, UAE Data Protection Law, POPIA, CCPA).
  • Identify compliance gaps and areas requiring immediate attention.
  • Develop a Data Privacy Roadmap aligned with business objectives.

Privacy Governance & Policy Development

  • Draft and implement Data Protection Policies, Privacy Notices, and Data Retention Policies.
  • Define roles and responsibilities, including appointing a Data Protection Officer (DPO) if required.
  • Set up a Data Privacy Governance Committee within the organization.

2. Data Mapping & Risk Assessment

Data Inventory & Classification

  • Identify and map data flow across the organization (from collection to disposal).
  • Categorize data based on sensitivity (e.g., Personal Identifiable Information (PII), financial data, health records).
  • Ensure lawful data processing and storage practices.

Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) & Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)

  • Identify potential risks in the processing of sensitive personal data.
  • Implement mitigation controls to reduce risk exposure.

3. Compliance Implementation & Regulatory Alignment

Assessment of Current Data Privacy Maturity

  • Conduct a Data Privacy Gap Analysis against relevant laws (e.g., GDPR, UAE Data Protection Law, POPIA, CCPA).
  • Identify compliance gaps and areas requiring immediate attention.
  • Develop a Data Privacy Roadmap aligned with business objectives.

Consent Management

  • Implement systems to handle Consent Management

Data Subject Rights Management

  • Implement systems to handle Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) efficiently.
  • Ensure mechanisms for users to exercise their rights (e.g., right to be forgotten, data portability, and consent withdrawal).

Vendor & Third-Party Risk Management

  • Conduct Third-Party Risk Assessments for vendors handling sensitive data.
  • Draft and negotiate Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) to ensure compliance.
  • Monitor and audit cloud service providers, IT vendors, and contractors.

5. Employee Awareness & Training

Data Privacy Training Programs

  • Conduct company-wide awareness training on data protection laws.
  • Provide specialized training for HR, IT, Marketing, and Legal teams on handling personal data.
  • Deliver phishing simulation tests and social engineering awareness programs.

Privacy Culture Development

  • Foster a privacy-first approach through executive workshops and leadership training.
  • Embed privacy by design principles in product and service development.

6. Ongoing Monitoring, Audit & Reporting

Internal Audits & Compliance Reviews

  • Conduct periodic Data Privacy Audits to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance.
  • Prepare compliance reports for board presentations and regulatory submissions.

Privacy Risk Management & Continuous Improvement

  • Establish a Data Privacy Risk Register to monitor risks in real time.
  • Review and enhance policies periodically in response to new threats and regulatory updates.

Regulatory Reporting & Liaison

  • Assist in filing mandatory reports with Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) when required.
  • Provide legal representation in case of investigations or regulatory actions.

4. Data Security & Cyber Resilience

Technical & Organizational Measures (TOMs) Implementation

  • Recommend encryption, access controls, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and pseudonymization techniques.
  • Establish secure data storage, backup, and recovery solutions.

Incident Response & Data Breach Management

  • Develop a Data Breach Response Plan in compliance with regulatory notification timelines.
  • Conduct data breach simulations (Tabletop Exercises) to assess organizational readiness.
  • Assist in legal breach notification procedures and liaise with regulatory authorities.