Do you need to appoint a DPO?

Under the UK GDPR, certain organisations are legally required to appoint a DPO. These include public authorities, organisations that engage in large-scale systematic monitoring of individuals, and those that process special category (sensitive) personal data on a large scale.

Even if not legally mandated, many organisations choose to appoint a Certified Data Protection Officer voluntarily to enhance their data protection practices and demonstrate their commitment to privacy. They see the DPO as a crucial part of the senior leadership team and a worthwhile investment, as they add value in so many ways, and reassure clients, colleagues, prospects, and suppliers alike.

Why appoint an outsourced DPO through us?

Appointing a certified, and independent Data Protection Officer (DPO) via Whitestar Services offers several advantages, particularly for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or organisations that may not have the resources or expertise to appoint an internal DPO:

Return on Investment: Appointing an external DPO is a much more cost-effective alternative to employing a full-time, in-house specialist. With the internal option you have recruitment, training, and employment considerations. Whereas with the outsourced option from us you get access to the benefit on Day One of a fully certified DPO, who can start adding value, via the monthly retainer DPO option.

Expertise and Experience: Certified Data Protection Officers are experienced data protection professionals with in-depth knowledge of the UK GDPR, UK and international data protection legislation, and the experience of supporting other organisations in the business world, understanding the commercial requirements of an organisation versus that of their compliance requirements. The DPOs complete monthly Continual Professional Development (CPD) learning and stay up-to-date with the latest legal developments and best practices, ensuring your organisation remains compliant.

Flexibility and Scalability: Outsourced DPO services can be tailored to your organisation’s specific needs and can be easily scaled up or down as required. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for organisations that are experiencing a period of growth or transition. Monthly support starts from one day per month, with flexible options, dependent on your specific requirements.

Objectivity and Independence: DPOs offer unbiased advice and guidance, free from internal conflicts of interest. They can objectively assess your organisation’s data processing activities and recommend necessary changes to ensure compliance.

Access to Resources and Tools: We have access to a wide range of resources (some of which are outsourced, but fully qualified) and tools, such as data protection software, industry codes of conduct and best practice, policies and procedures, and training materials. These resources coupled with our expertise can help streamline your compliance efforts and save valuable time.

Providing ongoing Training: Certified Data Protection Officers can offer data privacy induction training for new starters, key role training, and whole organisation training. This ensures our clients meet their data controller responsibilities, whilst also staying informed about any changes in UK data protection regulations and best practice. 

Focus on Core Business Activities: Outsourcing the DPO role allows your staff to focus on their core responsibilities, rather than seeing them burdened with an additional role, that includes complex business critical duties, that require a wealth of data privacy experience to deliver.