Data Protection Officer (DPO) Advisory and Support Services
The new Law of Georgia on Personal Data Protection significantly increases the responsibilities of organizations, making the appointment of a Data Protection Officer (DPO) mandatory for many. However, companies often have an appointed internal DPO (e.g., a lawyer or IT manager) who lacks sufficient specialized knowledge or resources to resolve complex issues. DPO Advisory is designed for exactly these situations. This service involves professional support for your existing DPO or data protection team by external experts. It acts as a "second opinion" mechanism, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring full compliance with the law.
The DPO Advisory service includes diverse consultative and practical assistance tailored to the organization's specific needs. Experts on our platform offer:
- Audit and Oversight of DPO Activities: Verification of documentation, policies, and procedures prepared by the internal officer to ensure their accuracy.
- Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) Support: Assistance in preparing impact assessment documents, which are mandatory for high-risk processing activities (e.g., video surveillance, biometrics).
- Complex Incident Management: Providing a crisis management strategy to the DPO during a data breach or security incident and assisting in communication with the regulator.
- Response to Data Subject Requests: Analyzing complex requests from citizens (data deletion, restriction of processing) and drafting legally substantiated responses.
- Conflict of Interest Management: Consulting on how the internal DPO can maintain independence and avoid conflicts of interest with other official duties.
- Legislative Updates Implementation: Constant updates on changes in legislation and training on how to implement them in practice.
In practice, we often encounter situations where DPO Advisory is critical. For example, a company's marketing department wants to launch a new campaign involving customer behavior profiling. The internal DPO might struggle to determine if subject consent is needed or if legitimate interest suffices. An external expert performs a "balancing test" and provides a conclusion. Another scenario: a cyber incident occurs. The internal DPO is panicked and unsure how to fill out the notification form for the Personal Data Protection Service. The advisor dictates a step-by-step action plan. Also common is when the DPO is simultaneously the IT Manager, a classic conflict of interest. The advisor helps the company separate these functions legally.
Georgian legislation, specifically the Law on Personal Data Protection, imposes strict requirements on the DPO's qualification and independence. The law explicitly states that the DPO must possess appropriate knowledge of data protection law and practices. When an organization cannot afford to hire a high-salaried full-time expert, the Advisory service is the ideal solution—you get expert knowledge as needed, at a lower cost.
Using the DPO Advisory service is simple and flexible. You can hire an advisor on a project basis (e.g., to prepare a DPIA) or via a subscription model (monthly support). The lawyer familiarizes themselves with your activities, assesses risks, and becomes the "invisible" but strong pillar of your internal team. This reduces the risk of fines and enhances the organization's reputation.
Legal.ge gives you access to the best data protection experts in Georgia. Do not leave your internal DPO alone to face complex challenges. Strengthen your team with professional advisors and ensure the highest standard of data protection. Find your DPO advisor on Legal.ge today.
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