No RoPA or DPIAs
GDPR Advisory & Data Protection in UAE & KSA
If you sell to, employ or monitor people in the EU, GDPR applies even if your business is based in Dubai or Riyadh. M365 Enterprise Hub helps GCC organizations meet GDPR requirements with practical privacy processes and Microsoft 365 data protection controls.
What Is GDPR Advisory & Data Protection?
The EU General Data Protection Regulation sets strict rules for processing personal data of people in the EU, with extraterritorial reach. GDPR advisory covers lawful basis, records of processing, Data Protection Impact Assessments, data subject rights, international transfers, processor contracts and breach notification, supported by technical security measures.
Because DIFC and ADGM data protection laws and the UAE PDPL share many principles, one programme can address several regimes.
GDPR Engagement Models
Advisory sized to your EU exposure.
Why GDPR Matters for GCC Businesses
European customers and partners will not share data without GDPR assurances, and GDPR fines can reach EUR 20 million or 4% of global annual turnover, whichever is higher. Transfers of EU data to the UAE or Saudi Arabia also need a valid legal mechanism.
A GDPR-aligned programme protects revenue from EU markets and raises your overall privacy maturity across regimes.
Our GDPR Services
Privacy advisory backed by technical implementation.
01Applicability Analysis
Determine where GDPR applies to your operations.
02Records of Processing
Article 30 records for controller and processor activities.
03DPIAs
Data Protection Impact Assessments for high-risk processing, including AI.
04International Transfers
Standard Contractual Clauses and transfer risk assessments.
05Rights & Breach Processes
Request handling and 72-hour breach notification procedures.
06Security Measures
Microsoft Purview, Entra ID and Defender controls for personal data.
Common GDPR Gaps We Fix
Issues we see in GCC companies with EU exposure:
GDPR assumed not to apply
EU customers or staff overlooked.
No transfer mechanism
EU data moved without SCCs.
Missing DPIAs
High-risk processing never assessed.
Weak vendor contracts
No data processing agreements with suppliers.
Our GDPR Process
- 01Scope
Confirm GDPR applicability and data flows.
- 02Assess
Gap analysis against key requirements.
- 03Remediate
Documents, contracts and processes.
- 04Protect
Technical controls in Microsoft 365.
- 05Maintain
Reviews, training and support.
Unprepared vs GDPR-Ready
| Area | Unprepared Organization | GDPR-Ready with M365 Enterprise Hub |
|---|---|---|
| Documentation | Complete records and DPIAs | |
| Transfers | No legal mechanism | SCCs and transfer assessments |
| Rights | Ad hoc handling | Defined, timely process |
| Security | Inconsistent controls | Purview and Entra protection |
Why Choose M365 Enterprise Hub for GDPR?
We help GCC organizations manage GDPR alongside UAE PDPL, Saudi PDPL and free zone laws, using one set of processes and Microsoft controls instead of separate projects.
Multi-Regime Expertise
GDPR, PDPL, DIFC and ADGM.
Technical Delivery
Purview and Entra controls implemented.
Practical Advice
Clear actions, not legal jargon.
GDPR Advisory FAQs
Yes, if you offer goods or services to people in the EU or monitor their behaviour, or if you process data on behalf of EU organizations. Location of your business does not exempt you.
Serious infringements can be fined up to EUR 20 million or 4% of worldwide annual turnover, whichever is higher.
A Data Protection Impact Assessment evaluates risks of processing that is likely to result in high risk to individuals, such as large-scale monitoring or new technologies like AI, and identifies measures to reduce them.
Controllers must notify the relevant supervisory authority within 72 hours of becoming aware of a personal data breach, where feasible, unless the breach is unlikely to result in risk.
Transfers need a valid mechanism such as Standard Contractual Clauses, supported by a transfer risk assessment and appropriate safeguards.
No. We provide privacy and technical compliance consulting and work alongside your legal counsel for legal interpretations.