Industry
Financial
Location
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Company Size
1-500
Consultants
0
Weeks to deliver
0
Data Subjects
0
K+
PDPL Compliance Services
Key PDPL Implementation Deliverables
athif@halaprivacy.com
Challenges
Our initial GAP Assessment identified several critical areas requiring enhancement to achieve compliance with Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) as mandated by SDAIA.
Given the regulatory oversight from both SDAIA and the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), ensuring alignment with both SDAIA KSA PDPL and financial sector best practices was critical.
Key challenges included:
- Consent Management & Transparency:
There were gaps in obtaining, documenting, and managing customer consent in compliance with SDAIA KSA PDPL principles. - Data Discovery & Governance:
The organization lacked a comprehensive data inventory and Records of Processing Activities (RoPA), impacting transparency and compliance tracking. - Vendor Management & Cross-Border Data Transfers:
Third-party vendors handling financial data had varying levels of compliance, necessitating stricter due diligence and PDPL-compliant contractual obligations. - Data Subject Rights (DSR) & Customer Privacy Awareness:
Processes for handling customer data access, correction, and deletion requests were underdeveloped, posing compliance risks. - Data Breach Readiness & Incident Response:
The financial institution lacked a structured framework to detect, report, and mitigate data breaches in accordance with SDAIA KSA PDPL and SAMA Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) requirements.
Solutions
To address these challenges, we implemented a comprehensive and sector-specific SDAIA KSA PDPL compliance framework that included the following solutions:
- Regulatory Compliance & Policy Development:
- Developed a PDPL-aligned Data Privacy Policy covering governance structure, roles, and responsibilities.
- Updated the Privacy Notice for Customers & Employees to ensure transparency regarding data processing activities.
- Established Legal Basis for Processing Guidelines, ensuring financial data handling adhered to SDAIA KSA PDPL and SAMA regulations.
- Developed a PDPL-aligned Data Privacy Policy covering governance structure, roles, and responsibilities.
- Structured Data Governance & Records Management:
- Conducted Personal Data Discovery Workshops to identify and map personal data flows across the financial institution.
- Developed and implemented a Records of Processing Activities (RoPA) to document data sources, processing purposes, and legal justifications.
- Implemented a Data Retention Policy specifying clear retention timelines for various categories of financial data.
- Conducted Personal Data Discovery Workshops to identify and map personal data flows across the financial institution.
- Strengthened Vendor Management & Cross-Border Data Compliance:
- Designed a Vendor Due Diligence Process, incorporating PDPL-compliant contractual obligations and risk assessments.
- Implemented a Cross-Border Data Transfer Framework, ensuring international data flows met PDPL’s stringent requirements.
- Drafted and enforced Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs) for secure and compliant intra-group data transfers.
- Designed a Vendor Due Diligence Process, incorporating PDPL-compliant contractual obligations and risk assessments.
- Data Subject Rights (DSR) & Customer Empowerment:
- Developed a centralized process for handling customer data access, rectification, and deletion requests.
- Updated the Privacy Notice to clearly outline customer rights and the procedure for submitting DSR requests.
- Provided training for customer service teams to efficiently manage Data Subject Requests (DSR) and ensure compliance.
- Developed a centralized process for handling customer data access, rectification, and deletion requests.
- Incident Response & Data Breach Management:
- Established a Data Breach Response Plan, outlining detection, internal reporting, and notification requirements.
- Developed Incident Response Templates & Checklists for rapid and structured breach handling.
- Integrated a Compliance Audit & Monitoring Process to track adherence to SDAIA KSA PDPL, monitor vulnerabilities, and recommend corrective actions.
- Established a Data Breach Response Plan, outlining detection, internal reporting, and notification requirements.
- Employee Training & Awareness Programs:
- Conducted Enterprise-Wide Training Workshops to build a strong privacy culture across all levels of the financial institution.
- Delivered Specialized Training Sessions for risk, compliance, and IT teams to ensure proactive compliance implementation.
- Provided scenario-based learning modules to enhance understanding of SDAIA KSA PDPL obligations in daily financial operations.
- Conducted Enterprise-Wide Training Workshops to build a strong privacy culture across all levels of the financial institution.
Outcomes
The financial institution successfully achieved full SDAIA KSA PDPL compliance while aligning with SAMA’s regulatory requirements, strengthening its data privacy posture.
Key outcomes included:
- Regulatory Compliance & Enhanced Data Protection:
- Registered as a Data Controller on the National Data Governance Platform (dgp.sdaia.gov.sa).
- Achieved full PDPL compliance, ensuring secure financial data management and reducing regulatory risks.
- Registered as a Data Controller on the National Data Governance Platform (dgp.sdaia.gov.sa).
- Operational Efficiency & Stronger Data Governance:
- Implemented a centralized data governance model, streamlining compliance efforts across departments.
- Enhanced RoPA documentation, providing full visibility into financial data processing activities.
- Implemented a centralized data governance model, streamlining compliance efforts across departments.
- Customer Trust & Data Subject Rights Compliance:
- Improved customer transparency through updated Privacy Notices and Consent Management Processes.
- Strengthened Data Subject Rights Management, ensuring timely and compliant response to customer requests.
- Improved customer transparency through updated Privacy Notices and Consent Management Processes.
- Robust Vendor & Third-Party Compliance Framework:
- Standardized vendor assessments, ensuring third-party financial service providers met PDPL standards.
- Enforced cross-border data compliance measures, securing international data transfers.
- Standardized vendor assessments, ensuring third-party financial service providers met PDPL standards.
- Improved Security & Incident Readiness:
- Established a structured Data Breach Response Plan, reducing response time and enhancing breach mitigation.
- Conducted routine compliance audits, proactively addressing vulnerabilities and reinforcing data security.
- Established a structured Data Breach Response Plan, reducing response time and enhancing breach mitigation.
- Recognition as an Industry Compliance Leader:
- Positioned as a benchmark for PDPL compliance within the financial sector.
- Strengthened customer trust and brand reputation through industry-leading data privacy practices.
- Positioned as a benchmark for PDPL compliance within the financial sector.
By leveraging a tailored compliance approach, the financial institution successfully integrated SDAIA KSA PDPL and financial industry best practices, ensuring sustainable regulatory adherence and enhanced customer trust in data privacy.
