Saudi PDPL Compliance Services in KSA by Apprise Cyber KSA
Apprise Cyber KSA delivers Saudi PDPL compliance services in Saudi Arabia. The services bring an organization’s personal data processing into compliance with the Personal Data Protection Law. Apprise Cyber KSA offers 4 services: PDPL compliance setup, DPO as a Service, external audit, and a 4-week SME program. SDAIA has enforced the law since 14 September 2024. The maximum fine is SAR 5 million, doubled for repeat violations. Organizations in Saudi Arabia, and foreign companies that process Saudi residents’ data, fall under the law.
Organizations looking for PDPL compliance services in KSA across Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Dammam, Khobar, Dhahran, Jubail, Tabuk, and Abha can contact the Apprise Cyber KSA team. Apprise Cyber KSA helps organizations secure customer data, maintain their reputation, and grow in their respective industries.
What Are Saudi PDPL Compliance Services?
Saudi PDPL compliance services are consulting and audit services for compliance with the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL). Royal Decree M/19 (2021) issued the PDPL, and Royal Decree M/148 (27 March 2023) amended it. The PDPL took effect on 14 September 2023. The Implementing Regulations, issued on 7 September 2023, set the detailed obligations. SDAIA, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, began enforcement on 14 September 2024, according to CMS. Apprise Cyber KSA delivers these services to organizations such as banks, hospitals, and e-commerce stores.
Which PDPL Compliance Services Does Apprise Cyber KSA Offer?
Apprise Cyber KSA offers 4 PDPL services: compliance setup, DPO as a Service, external audit, and a 4-week SME program. Each service targets one stage: building controls, running privacy operations, verifying compliance, or finishing setup in 4 weeks.
PDPL Compliance Setup
PDPL compliance setup builds the full set of documents, records, and controls that the PDPL requires. Examples are privacy notices, processing records, and access controls. Apprise Cyber KSA covers 6 setup areas:
- Assign roles: appoint a DPO and register the controller.
- Record processing: write privacy notices and records of processing (RoPA).
- Handle rights: set request procedures with 30-day deadlines.
- Control vendors: sign processor agreements and assess processor security.
- Manage transfers: run transfer assessments and apply standard contractual clauses.
- Prepare for breaches: write response plans with 72-hour SDAIA notice, and train staff.
Data Protection Officer as a Service (DPOaaS)
DPO as a Service gives an organization an outsourced data protection officer who runs privacy operations day to day. The Implementing Regulations require a DPO in 3 cases, according to Clyde & Co:
- Public entities that run large-scale processing.
- Controllers that monitor data subjects regularly and systematically.
- Controllers whose main activity is sensitive data processing.
An internal employee or an external contractor can fill the role. Apprise Cyber KSA supplies the external DPO.
External PDPL Compliance Audit
An external PDPL compliance audit is an independent review of an organization’s obligations, evidence, and controls. Apprise Cyber KSA audits 5 areas:
- Lawful basis and consent
- Records of processing
- Data subject rights
- Security and breach procedures
- Cross-border transfers
The audit report rates each gap by risk (high, medium, or low) and lists remediation actions.
4-Week PDPL Program for SMEs
The 4-week PDPL program completes 14 compliance tasks for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The 14 tasks are:
- Register the controller
- Assign a DPO
- Build RoPA
- Map legal bases
- Write a privacy notice
- Set data subject request procedures
- Sign a data processing agreement
- Run a DPIA
- Assess transfer impact
- Apply standard contractual clauses
- Apply binding common rules
- Configure cookies and consent
- Prepare breach readiness
- Train staff
How Does a PDPL Compliance Project Work?
| Step | Action | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scope applicability | Applicability decision for each entity, system, and data type |
| 2 | Map data | Data inventory and RoPA draft |
| 3 | Assess gaps | Risk-rated gap register |
| 4 | Plan remediation | Prioritized remediation plan |
| 5 | Build controls | Policies, notices, agreements, and procedures |
| 6 | Train and monitor | Trained staff and a monitoring cycle |
Which Organizations Need PDPL Compliance Services?
Any organization that processes personal data in KSA needs PDPL compliance, including banks, hospitals, and e-commerce stores. Foreign companies with Saudi customers, such as software providers and online retailers, fall under the law. The law applies when they process Saudi residents’ data. Sector rules add duties to the PDPL. The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) restricts customer data transfers outside KSA. Telecom providers process customer data within KSA.
Why Choose Apprise Cyber KSA for PDPL Compliance in KSA?
There are 5 reasons to choose Apprise Cyber KSA for PDPL compliance in KSA:
- One regulation: Apprise Cyber KSA focuses on the Saudi PDPL and publishes an article index covering Articles 1 to 43 at ksapdpl.com.
- 4 connected services: compliance setup, DPO as a Service, external audit, and a 4-week SME program cover building, running, and verifying compliance.
- One 6-step project: scope, map, assess, plan, build, and train and monitor, with one output per step.
- Sourced legal facts: every legal figure on this page cites Clyde & Co, CMS, or Al Tamimi.
- Independence: Apprise Cyber KSA is not affiliated with SDAIA.
PDPL Compliance Services FAQ
Who must comply with the Saudi PDPL?
Any organization that processes personal data in KSA must comply with the Saudi PDPL, such as banks, hospitals, and retailers. Foreign organizations, such as online retailers and software providers, must comply when they process Saudi residents’ data. SDAIA has enforced the law since 14 September 2024.
Does the PDPL apply to foreign companies?
Yes, the PDPL applies to foreign companies that process the personal data of individuals in Saudi Arabia. Examples are online retailers, software providers, and travel agencies. Apprise Cyber KSA assesses applicability for each entity in step 1 of the compliance project.
When must a company appoint a DPO?
A company appoints a DPO in 3 cases, according to Clyde & Co. Case 1 is large-scale processing by a public entity. Case 2 is regular and systematic monitoring of data subjects. Case 3 is sensitive data as the main activity. SDAIA proposed narrower triggers on 9 October 2026.
How long does PDPL compliance take?
The 4-week SME program completes PDPL compliance tasks for small and medium enterprises in 4 weeks. Larger scope extends the timeline, if the organization has multiple legal entities, multiple systems, or large volumes of sensitive data.
What are the penalties for PDPL non-compliance?
The maximum administrative fine is SAR 5 million, doubled for repeat violations, according to CMS. Disclosing sensitive data with intent to harm or gain carries up to 2 years in prison. The fine reaches SAR 3 million.
What does a PDPL compliance audit include?
An external PDPL compliance audit reviews 5 areas. The areas are lawful basis and consent, records of processing, data subject rights, security and breach procedures, and cross-border transfers. The audit ends with a risk-rated findings report.
What is the Saudi Personal Data Protection Law?
The Saudi Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) is the Kingdom’s national data protection law. Royal Decree M/19 (2021) issued it, and Royal Decree M/148 (2023) amended it. SDAIA enforces the PDPL.
What are the responsibilities of a data controller under the PDPL?
A data controller decides why and how personal data is processed and carries the PDPL obligations. The obligations are lawful basis, transparency, records, rights handling, security, breach notice, processor control, and transfer conditions.
What is the difference between the Saudi PDPL and the GDPR?
The PDPL and the GDPR both set a 72-hour breach notice. The PDPL caps administrative fines at SAR 5 million. The GDPR caps fines at EUR 20 million or 4% of global turnover (GDPR Article 83). Only the PDPL uses SDAIA’s National Data Governance Platform for controller registration.
Does the PDPL require data to stay inside Saudi Arabia?
The PDPL restricts transfers outside KSA and permits them under defined conditions. The 9 October 2026 SDAIA proposal would require storage inside KSA, according to Al Tamimi. The proposal is not final.
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