GDPR & DPO as a Service for SaaS Companies

GDPR requires a DPO when: (1) you are a public body, (2) your core activities consist of processing operations requiring regular and systematic monitoring of data subjects on a large scale, or (3) you process special categories of data on a large scale. For SaaS companies, criterion (2) is frequently triggered: if your product monitors user behaviour, analyses usage patterns, or processes data from thousands of Europeans, you likely need a DPO.

Yes. GDPR expressly allows the designation of an external DPO through a service contract (Article 37.6). The external DPO has the same obligations, rights, and protections as an internal one: access to all data, functional independence, and protection against dismissal. The advantage of an external DPO is genuine independence and specialisation.

The service starts at €500/month for startups with basic processing. For SaaS companies with multiple products, international transfers, and complex processing, the typical range is €800-2,000/month. Cost depends on data volume, processing complexity, and support level required. Compared to an internal DPO (€60,000-120,000/year), the savings are significant.

Our incident response procedure activates with a 24h SLA. We assess the breach severity, determine whether notification to the data protection authority is required (mandatory within 72h if there is risk to data subjects' rights), prepare the notification, and coordinate communication to affected parties if necessary. We guide you through the entire process to minimise legal and reputational impact.

We work directly with your CTO and product team. We participate in reviews of new features involving data processing, conduct DPIAs when needed, and provide practical guides so the development team implements privacy by design without slowing sprints.

Yes. The service includes drafting and maintaining: website privacy policy, cookie policy, information notices for each processing activity, data protection clauses in client contracts (DPA), and any legal notice related to personal data. All documents are updated for regulatory or product changes.

Yes. We implement a procedure to manage access, rectification, erasure, portability, objection, and restriction requests. We verify the requester's identity, assess the request, coordinate with your technical team for execution, and respond within the legal deadline of 1 month.

We evaluate each subprocessor and cloud provider you use (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, Stripe, etc.) from an international transfer perspective. We implement the necessary Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), conduct Transfer Impact Assessments (TIAs), and monitor changes in adequacy decisions affecting your providers.

Our DPO service has an integrated GDPR + AI Act approach. If your SaaS incorporates AI features, we assess cross-cutting obligations: data processing for model training, algorithmic transparency, and documentation requirements affecting both GDPR and AI Act. We can also act as your AI Act representative if needed.

It depends. Even if your clients are companies, if you process personal data of their employees, end users, or contacts, GDPR applies equally. Many B2B SaaS platforms process data from thousands of natural persons through their clients. We assess your specific situation to determine whether DPO designation is mandatory or advisable.

The initial audit takes 2-4 weeks and includes: inventory of all data processing activities, data flow mapping (collection, storage, processing, sharing), legal basis identification, subprocessor contract review, security measures assessment, and delivery of a report with gap analysis and prioritised action plan.

Formal DPO designation can be completed in 1 week. The initial audit and action plan are completed in 2-4 weeks. Implementation depends on identified gaps, but critical measures are implemented in the first 4-6 weeks. The ongoing compliance service is operational from day one.

The DPO is a figure regulated by GDPR with specific functions, rights, and protections. They must be registered with the data protection authority, have access to all processing activities, and operate with functional independence. A GDPR consultant provides ad hoc advice but does not have the DPO's obligations or protections. Our service includes both functions.

Yes. GDPR allows a corporate group to designate a single DPO, provided they are easily accessible from each establishment (Article 37.2). For groups with multiple SaaS entities, we offer a consolidated service more efficient than designating separate DPOs.

We include an annual GDPR awareness session adapted to your team (1-2 hours). It covers: basic data protection principles, how to identify and report breaches, managing rights requests, and privacy best practices in product development. It can be complemented with our GDPR for Product Managers workshop.

As your designated DPO, we are the official point of contact with authorities. We manage all communication: respond to information requests, coordinate inspections if applicable, and represent you in proceedings before data protection authorities. Our SLA for authority responses is 48 hours.

Yes. We manage the implementation and maintenance of your cookie policy in accordance with GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive: consent banner configuration, cookie categorisation, consent documentation, and adaptation when the tools you use change.

Yes. ISO 27701 is the extension of ISO 27001 for privacy information management. We can advise on implementing the privacy management system and prepare the documentation needed for certification, complementing the DPO's work with an internationally recognised management framework.

GDPR requires the DPO to operate with functional independence (Article 38). As an external DPO, our independence is structurally guaranteed: we have no conflicts of interest with your company's business decisions, we report directly to the highest management level, and our contract includes clauses protecting functional independence.

The DPO as a Service contract can be terminated with 3 months' notice. During the transition, we conduct a complete handover: transfer all documentation, records, and accumulated knowledge to the new DPO or internal responsible person. We facilitate the change communication to the authority and ensure compliance continuity during the transition.