Search
Contact
Symbolbild zu Data Compliance Management: Frau tippt auf Tablet
15.02.2024 | KPMG Law Insights

Data compliance management: How to implement it in practice

Part 3 of the article series “Professional tips for data compliance management”

 

The third part of this series of articles deals with data compliance management. Once a company has created a solid foundation in data categorization and developed an understanding of the data lifecycle, the question arises: How can practical implementation succeed?

Strategic orientation of data compliance management

To begin with, companies should define the strategic direction of data compliance management. This should be in line with the overarching corporate objectives and the specific compliance requirements. The corporate culture should recognize the value of data protection and compliance. For example, a financial services company could develop a strategy that aims to ensure compliance with GDPR and local data protection laws while providing innovative financial products. In any case, it is important that the strategy pursues clear, measurable and, above all, realistically achievable goals.

Tools and technologies for data compliance management

Companies need suitable tools and technologies to manage data efficiently. For example, data governance platforms can help to maintain an overview of the data landscape. Data protection management systems support compliance with data protection regulations. It is essential that no shadow structures are created wherever possible. It can therefore make sense to fall back on existing structures, even if they may not offer all the desired functionalities. The additional cost of implementing and networking a new solution should be carefully weighed up in these cases.

Cross-functional collaboration

When introducing data compliance management, close cooperation between legal, technical and operational teams is recommended. For example, an interdisciplinary team of legal, IT and compliance experts could be formed to develop a coherent strategy to meet the requirements of the legal requirements. The complexities in the area of data compliance are sometimes so pronounced that a specialist department alone may have difficulties keeping track of everything. Teamwork is the key to success.

Employees should be trained and sensitized

Companies should regularly train their employees in order to promote compliance-friendly behavior within the company. However, data protection training should not be the only measure, but should be supplemented by sensible awareness-raising measures and supported by management through words and deeds.

Outsourcing of data compliance management via managed services

It can make sense to hand over key operational parts of data compliance management to specialized providers that use Legal Managed Services (LMS). When selecting and engaging such a service provider, it is important to establish clear handover interfaces, defined roles and responsibilities as well as binding service level agreements (SLAs). These elements ensure that both the company and the service provider clearly understand the expectations and obligations.

Measurement and continuous improvement

Once data compliance management has been established, companies should monitor performance. To this end, they should develop maturity levels and key figures and present them clearly in the form of dashboards. Key figures are suitable, for example, for monitoring compliance with retention periods or for handling data leaks. Companies should also develop strategies for dealing with data breaches and other compliance issues. A central element of such a strategy is a well-thought-out incident response plan.

Conclusion

The practical implementation of data compliance management is an iterative process that requires strategic alignment, operational excellence and continuous improvement. With a well thought-out approach, companies can achieve their compliance goals and ensure sustainable data protection.

 

Explore #more

02.06.2025 | Deal Notifications

KPMG Law and KPMG advise Diehl Defence on the acquisition of e.sigma

KPMG Law Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH (KPMG Law) and KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft (KPMG) advised Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG (Diehl Defence) on the complete acquisition of…

27.05.2025 | KPMG Law Insights

Cell Phone Inspections at US Border and Beyond: What to Expect

Key facts: U.S. immigration officials monitor public social media data and travelers should be prepared to share details about their personal social media accounts. All…

23.05.2025 | KPMG Law Insights

Business Travel and Assignment in the USA: What you need to know about US immigration

The recent changes in US immigration rules are causing uncertainty worldwide. In particular, since the new US government took office, processes regarding entry into the…

14.05.2025 | KPMG Law Insights

BGH on customer installations: Decision orders application in line with the directive

In a ruling dated May 13, 2025, the BGH classified the supply infrastructure in the specific case of a residential complex in Zwickau as a…

13.05.2025 | In the media

KPMG Law expert in Spiegel article on energy policy

Dirk-Henning Meier, Senior Manager in the energy law department at KPMG Law, is quoted in a recent article on energy policy in Der Spiegel.…

13.05.2025 | Career, In the media

azur Karriere Magazin – All AI or what?

Artificial intelligence has long since arrived in law firms and legal departments. But dealing with it is a skill that needs to be learned. Many…

13.05.2025 | KPMG Law Insights

Initial experience with the Single-Use Plastics Fund Act: what manufacturers should bear in mind

Beverage cups, foil and plastic cigarette filters litter streets, parks and sidewalks. The cleaning costs are borne by the local authorities. The Disposable Plastics Fund…

07.05.2025 | KPMG Law Insights

Termination of fixed-term rental agreements in the case of pre-leasing

In the case of a pre-leasing, the tenancy only begins at a later date, usually the handover date. In such cases, the contracting parties usually…

06.05.2025 | In the media

Wirtschaftswoche honors KPMG Law

KPMG Law was named “TOP Law Firm 2025” in the field of M&A by WirtschaftsWoche. Ian Maywald, Partner at KPMG Law in Munich, was…

Contact

Dr. Jyn Schultze-Melling, LL.M.

Partner

Heidestraße 58
10557 Berlin

Tel.: +49 30 530199 410
jschultzemelling@kpmg-law.com

© 2024 KPMG Law Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH, associated with KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, a public limited company under German law and a member of the global KPMG organisation of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a Private English Company Limited by Guarantee. All rights reserved. For more details on the structure of KPMG’s global organisation, please visit https://home.kpmg/governance.

 KPMG International does not provide services to clients. No member firm is authorised to bind or contract KPMG International or any other member firm to any third party, just as KPMG International is not authorised to bind or contract any other member firm.

Scroll