Outsourced Data Protection Officer

GDPR compliance made simple.

Our data protection experts help North-American companies by providing them with a flexible DPO service at competitive rates.

 
 

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Our GDPR experts will be happy to answer any questions you might have.

 
 

Make sure your Data Protection Officer needs are taken care of.

Thinking about hiring a Data Protection Officer?

If your organization or company offers goods or services to EU residents, or if they collect the personal data of EU residents, you must comply with the general data protection act (GDPR).

Collegium Auditores can help you with GDPR compliance with our outsourced data protection officer service. We can help you become and stay GDPR compliant for a fraction of the cost of hiring a full-time data protection officer,

We have built a lean and efficient service that allows us to provide industry-leading expertise for up to 50% cheaper than the competition.

We're experts in the field, and our service is tailored to your organizations specific needs.

Avoid hefty fines and protect your customers’ data by using our outsourced data protection officer service. You'll have peace of mind knowing that you'll be compliant with all relevant legislation.

We’ll make sure your organization is compliant with GDPR regulations, so you can focus on what you do best – running your business. 

 

Receive hands on technical expertise.

Becoming and staying GDPR compliant can be a daunting task, but with the right technical expertise on your side, it doesn't have to be.

At Collegium Auditores, we can provide you with the hands-on technical assistance you need to ensure that your organization is compliant with all of the requirements set forth under the GDPR. We can help you develop and implement policies and procedures, as well as provide training and support to your staff.

Enjoy a cost effective solution.

Collegium Auditores takes pride in providing industry leading expertise in a lean, efficient, tailored made package for your organization. Our business model allows to us to offer more specialized services at a very competitive price point.

Other North American DPO providers will likely outsource the function to a European firm which will inflate costs while providing you with no extra value. When you work with us, you work directly with our own internal team of hand-picked data protection experts.

Get access to world class legal support.

When it comes to legal support, there is no substitute for partnering with a world class law firm. We partner with leading law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.

Should the need for a legal team arise, they have you covered. By working with a team of experienced attorneys, you can be confident that your legal needs will be taken care of by a team of experts.

Work with GDPR compliant data protection management software.

Our clients get access to premium EU certified data management software. Our software is constantly updated to reflect the latest changes in data protection legislation, so you can be confident that your data is always protected. And because it's hosted in Europe, you can be sure that your data is always compliant with European data protection laws.

 

Meet Andreas H. Schmidt.

Andreas founded Collegium Auditores in 2018 with the goal of helping companies navigate the complex nature of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

With an extensive list of notable public and private organizations as clients, Andreas has become one of the most qualified, experienced and sought-after data privacy experts in Europe.

Andreas has over 20 years of experience in the field of information technology and data privacy. He has worked as an auditor, consultant, and data protection officer for public and private organizations in a variety of industries.

Andreas is a certified information systems auditor (CISA), certified data privacy solutions engineer (CDPSE), IT Compliance Auditor (ISO/IEC 27001), CIPP/E Certified, ex-Vice President of ISACA Germany, and a member the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

Andreas is also actively involved in educating on IT security measures as a private lecturer for international universities, such as the Cologne Business School and the European University of Applied Sciences. 

 

Andreas H. Schmidt LL.M
CEO

Avoid the cost and complexities of hiring an internal data protection officer.

While having an internal data protection officer can certainly be beneficial to large organizations, there are several drawbacks to consider as well.

 

Finding a suitable internal candidate is hard.

 

Finding and hiring an internal DPO can be a time-consuming, costly, and daunting process. The highly specialized nature of this role means there are too few qualified candidates to fill all available positions.

 

Having an internal DPO can lead to increased liability for the company.

 

Internal data protection officers enjoy comprehensive protection against dismissal. Companies cannot shift liability to the internal employee by contract, even in the case of gross negligence. This could lead to very costly damages in the event of a data breach.

 

Internal DPO’s often create a conflict of interest.

 

Appointing a DPO from within an organization is acceptable, but many organizations might not have suitable internal candidates, and those who may be suitable will often be put in tough positions due to inherent conflicts of interest.

A DPO must be impartial and unbiased. This criteria is often hard to meet when the most qualified candidates in an organization are often times senior level management.

Get in touch.

Get the benefits of a data protection officer without the hassle.

More companies than ever are turning towards outsourced data protection officer services to meet their needs. Outsourcing is now seen as the preferred solution for the majority of companies needing a data protection officer.

There are many advantages to outsourcing the role of data protection officer, including:

 

Cost savings

 

An external data protection officer is much more cost-effective than hiring an in-house DPO, especially for small and medium-sized organizations.

 

Expertise

 

External data protection officer service providers have the expertise and resources to stay up to date with the latest data protection laws. This can be a valuable resource for organizations that may not have the internal capacity to keep abreast of changing regulations.

 

Flexibility

 

Outsourcing the DPO function provides flexibility in terms of resources and capacity. DPO service providers can scale up or down according to the needs of the organization, which can be helpful during periods of change or growth.

 

Risk management

 

A Collegium Auditores DPO can give your company additional tools for managing privacy and data risks and avoiding costly fines. We can be an integral part of your risk management policy.

Our clients.

Being privacy professionals, we place a high value on the privacy of our clients.

We do not disclose their names publicly, as we believe that our clients should be able to trust us to keep their information private and confidential. This is one of the core principles that we operate under and is something that we take very seriously.

That being said, we do work with many large organizations including globally recognized brands. We can assure you that we have the experience and expertise to help your organization navigate the complexities of data privacy regulatory compliance.

Industries that we work with.

While we won’t share our exact list of clients, we can proudly say that we serve clients in the following industries.

 
 

No matter what industry your business is in, Collegium Auditores can help you become and stay GDPR compliant. We have years of experience helping a large variety of businesses achieve compliance, and we have the expertise and resources to help you too.

Reach out to us today for a free initial consultation. One of our data privacy experts will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

Let’s connect.

When it comes to GDPR compliance, Collegium Auditores is here to help. With years of experience helping businesses of all sizes achieve compliance, we have the knowledge and expertise you need to get started. Our team of experts will work with you every step of the way to ensure a smooth and successful implementation.

No matter what industry your business is in, we can help you become and stay GDPR compliant. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our data privacy experts. We'll assess your compliance needs and put together a comprehensive plan to help you get started on the path to GDPR compliance.

Sven Steindorff
Partner & Vice President
Collegium Auditores Corporation
steindorff@collegium-auditores.de

USA
Phoenix, Arizona
1-480-912-2293

Germany
Siegburg, Germany
+49 (02241) 9575933

Canada
Toronto, Ontario
1-416-460-2080

 

FAQs

 
 

FAQs

My business is based in North America, do I need a data protection officer?

The GDPR applies to any company that processes the personal data of EU citizens, regardless of where the company is based. This means that if your company processes the personal data of EU citizens, you will need to appoint a data protection officer.

Can a data protection officer be outsourced?

Yes, the role of data protection officer can be outsourced to a service provider. This is an increasingly popular option for companies that do not have the internal resources to appoint a DPO.

Outsourcing your data protection needs is also the preferred solution for North American companies. Article 27 (GDPR) states that data controllers (your company if you collect the data of EU citizens) residing outside of the EU must elect a EU-based representative.

What are the duties of a data protection officer?

A Data Protection Officer is in charge of informing staff about data protection and instructing people who handle data. They also act as the main contact point for the firm with the relevant data protection authorities.

Data protection officers are responsible for proactively conducting audits to ensure compliance and find potential issues. Their duties also include conducting data protection impact assessments, maintaining records of personal data processing activities, and drafting new existing internal data protection policies, guidelines, and procedures.

What are the 5 key responsibilities of a Data Protection Officer?

From the European Commission:

"The DPO assists the controller or the processor in all issues relating to the protection of personal data. In particular, the DPO must:

  • inform and advise the controller or processor, as well as their employees, of their obligations under data protection law;

  • monitor compliance of the organization with all legislation in relation to data protection, including in audits, awareness-raising activities as well as training of staff involved in personal processing operations;

  • provide advice where a DPIA has been carried out and monitor its performance;

  • act as a contact point for requests from individuals regarding personal data processing and the exercise of their rights;

  • cooperate with DPAs and act as a contact point for DPAs on issues relating to processing;

The organization must involve the DPO in a timely manner. The DPO must not receive any instructions from the controller or processor for the exercise of their tasks. The DPO reports directly to the highest level of management of the organization."

What are the risks of not complying with the GDPR?

Any company found to be in breach of the GDPR may be subject to fines of between €10 million and €20 million or up to 4% of the company’s global annual revenue.

What does the GDPR recommend?

The European Commission recommends that every indicated company have a data protection officer.

Even when the GDPR does not require the appointment of a DPO, organizations may find it advantageous to hire a DPO voluntarily. Doing so can lead to a competitive advantage by demonstrating how ethical your organization is.