Compliance
PDPL Compliance in Saudi Arabia: The Technical Controls Behind It
PDPL compliance in Saudi Arabia means protecting the personal data your company collects on customers, staff and visitors. Waves Telecom delivers the technical side, from data mapping support to encryption and breach readiness, alongside your legal adviser.
- Enforced since 14 Sep 2024
- DLP, encryption and access control
- Local team in Al Khobar
10 yearsin cybersecurity
150+companies passed Aramco CCC
Gold PartnerSophos & Fortinet
What PDPL compliance means for a Saudi business
The Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) covers the personal data your business holds. That includes customer records, employee files, CRM contacts, emails and CCTV footage. Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) enforces it. Every company that handles personal data needs to show it is protected.
PDPL compliance has two parts. The legal part covers privacy notices, consent, contracts and data subject rights. The technical part covers where the data lives, who can reach it, how it is protected and how you respond to a breach. Waves handles the technical side. For the legal side, we recommend you work with a qualified legal adviser, and we work alongside them.
The rule and the risk
According to Clyde & Co, the PDPL has been fully enforceable since 14 September 2024. Committees can issue warnings, fines of up to SAR 5 million, doubled for repeat violations, and order penalties to be published. SDAIA had announced 48 enforcement decisions by mid-January 2026.
Clyde & Co advises companies to run regular compliance reviews and keep a tested breach response plan. It also advises clear procedures for data subject requests. A vendor source reports that breaches must be notified to SDAIA within 72 hours. That leaves no time to work out a plan after the fact.
Enforcement is real, but the numbers are still modest. The sensible goal is readiness: controls in place and evidence ready before any notice arrives.
PDPL has been enforceable since 14 Sep 2024, with fines up to SAR 5 million, doubled for repeat violations.
How Waves handles the technical side
Data mapping support
We help you find where personal data sits: file servers, Microsoft 365, email, laptops, backups and CCTV recorders.
Access review
We check who can open each data set and remove access people do not need. We add MFA to sensitive systems.
Protect the data
We set up encryption for laptops, servers and email, plus DLP rules that stop personal data leaving by mistake.
Breach readiness
We build logging, alerting and a written technical response plan, and test it with your team.
Evidence for your adviser
We document the controls in plain language, so your legal adviser can use them in your records and assessments.
What is included
Data loss prevention
DLP rules in Microsoft 365, Sophos or Fortinet that flag or block personal data sent outside the company.
Encryption
Disk encryption for laptops and servers, plus encrypted email for sensitive files.
Access control and MFA
Role-based access, MFA and privileged access controls so only the right people see personal data.
Backup and secure erasure
Protected backups you can restore, and certified data erasure with Blancco when devices are retired.
Monitoring and response
Alerting on suspicious access, and Sophos MDR delivered with Sophos for 24/7 detection.
CCTV data security
Secure storage and access control for camera recordings, which can contain personal data.
Brands and partners
MicrosoftSophosFortinetBlanccoKnowBe4DellHPE
Frequently asked questions
Does PDPL apply to small companies?
The PDPL applies to organisations that process personal data in Saudi Arabia, so most businesses are affected. Your legal adviser can confirm your exact obligations. We help you put the technical protections in place.
Can Waves make us fully PDPL compliant?
We cover the technical side: data mapping support, DLP, access control, encryption and breach readiness. Privacy notices, consent, contracts and legal assessments need a legal adviser. We recommend using both together.
What are the PDPL penalties?
According to Clyde & Co, committees can fine up to SAR 5 million, doubled for repeat violations, and can order penalties to be published. A vendor source also reports prison terms of up to 2 years for unlawful disclosure of sensitive data.
How fast must we report a data breach?
A vendor source reports that breaches must be notified to SDAIA within 72 hours. Confirm the exact requirement with your legal adviser. We help you build the logging and response plan so you can act within that window.
Is CCTV footage covered by PDPL?
Camera recordings can identify people, so they can count as personal data. Treat them with the same care as other personal data. We secure recorders, limit access and log who views footage.
We already have Microsoft 365. Do we need new tools?
Often not. Microsoft 365 plans may already include DLP, encryption and MFA features. We check your licences and switch on what you already pay for before suggesting anything new.
Check your PDPL technical controls
Tell us where your customer and staff data is stored. We will show you the technical gaps and how to close them.
- 📞 +966 58 236 5619
- 💬 +966 58 236 5619
- ✉️ info@wavestelecom.net
- 📍 3266 Adh Dhahran – Al Aqrabiyah Dist, Al Khobar 34446
