The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) set out to improve the resilience of its data management landscape with the launch of the National Data Management and Personal Data Protection Standards, developed by the National Data Management Office (NDMO). This comprehensive framework, which we'll delve into further, outlines key guidelines for companies operating in the KSA and significantly impacts regional data management practices.
Over the past decade, numerous data protection laws have come into place to ensure that companies maintain user privacy, don't use personal data to further business interests, and maintain user and company data security. The best known of these laws is the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), but countless other regulations in many jurisdictions have been introduced since its implementation.
One of the most recent laws is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's (KSA's) National Data Management and Personal Data Protection Standards. This sweeping regulation, which was developed and enforced by the National Data Management Office (NDMO), has immediate and significant consequences for organizations operating in the territory. In this blog, we'll explain what the NDMO Standards are, who they impact, and how to remain compliant.
The concept for the NDMO Standards was first floated in 2016 as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 initiative, with the Kingdom's PDPL (Personal Data Protection Law) coming into effect in 2023. The NDMO Standards focus on securing personal and government-owned data, and a primary requirement is that data within KSA is strictly governed and remains within national borders.
In total, the NDMO Standards cover 77 controls and 191 compliance specifications. Understanding the breadth of the NDMO Standards can be daunting. So, the best way to address them is through the fifteen domains defined by the NDMO. These include:
Data Governance
Data Catalog and Metadata
Data Quality
Data Operations
Document and Content Management
Data Architecture and Modelling
Reference and Master Data Management
Business Intelligence and Analytics
Data Sharing and Interoperability
Data Value Realization
Open Data
Freedom of Information
Data Classification
Personal Data Protection
Data Security and Protection
The 15 domains, or knowledge areas, are categorized by the NDMO into a three-level hierarchy. At the top is the Domain level, which defines each knowledge area according to the framework. The Control level focuses on grouping specifications that address a particular aspect within the domain. Finally, the Specification level outlines the necessary actions for a company to comply with the framework.
Delving deeper into this framework, the 15 knowledge areas are organized into five specific control areas, each concentrating on distinct data management and protection aspects. Leading the list is data governance.
Any public entity in KSA or related businesses that handle government data must comply with the NDMO Standards. These entities are responsible for applying these standards to personal and government data.
Regarding personal data, businesses must implement the specifications to ensure that any Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or other personal data related to Saudi citizens is protected and managed accordingly. Regarding government data, the framework encompasses any raw or processed data sent to, created, or held by public entities.
The consequences of non-compliance are severe. For example, regarding the PDPL, the legislation states that:
"Without prejudice to any harsher penalty stipulated in another law, any individual discloses or publishes Sensitive Data, in violation of the provisions of the Law, with the intention of harming the Data Subject or achieving a personal benefit shall be punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding (two years), or a fine not exceeding (three million) Riyals, or both."
The modern data landscape is incredibly complex, making it crucial to understand where your data is and what it's doing. Auditing your existing data technologies and storage systems is the first step, followed by data classification and cataloging.
You must ensure that every team member is on board with the measures you put in place to adhere to the framework. Without training, this is impossible. In addition to scheduling training sessions, you should look for other data governance resources to help create a course that works for your team and assign team members specific roles and responsibilities.
The fundamental security infrastructure that operates across your organization also protects your data. To ensure the security of your data, you must verify that your overall cybersecurity strategy and provisions are adequate.
Data governance is one of the cornerstones of the NDMO Standards. Getting this right has a significant impact downstream and ensures that compliance efforts are ongoing. To that end, utilizing an end-to-end data governance platform is critical in ensuring compliance.
Related Case Study: Saudi Agency Implements Regulatory Compliance and Strategic Governance with OvalEdge
Ultimately, any company operating in KSA is responsible for ensuring that the data they handle complies with the territory's comprehensive data management and protection framework. However, due to the vast scope and scale of data in most modern organizations, collating this information to ensure compliance is nearly impossible, especially on an ongoing basis.
That’s why data governance tools have become so important, enabling organizations to meet the demands and requirements of an ever-expanding list of global compliance regulations. Contact us today to learn how we can help you secure and manage your data now and in the future.