GDPR Done Faster & Done Right

GDPR Compliance

Integrating Agency with Vanta or Drata gets your GDPR compliance program operational 30%+ faster, with stronger data protection controls, at a lower total cost.

Agency is the only company that is a top-tier partner at both Vanta and Drata, the two leading GRC platforms that support GDPR compliance.

Partnered with Leading Global Auditors

GRC Platform Agnostic
Lowest All-In Costs
Leverage AI to Improve Standards and Speed
Understand data subject rights and lawful bases
Get a complete GDPR compliance requirements checklist
Learn exactly what compliance costs and takes

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Trusted by leading companies for GDPR compliance

What Is GDPR Compliance?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the European Union's comprehensive data protection law, in effect since May 2018. It establishes strict requirements for how organizations collect, process, store, and transfer personal data of individuals in the EU—applying to any organization worldwide that handles EU personal data, regardless of where the organization is based.

GDPR compliance has become essential for any organization with EU customers, employees, or operations. With enforcement actions increasing and fines reaching into the hundreds of millions of euros, demonstrating a robust data protection program is critical for market access, customer trust, and regulatory standing.

Agency helps organizations achieve GDPR compliance faster than traditional approaches. Because we are fully agnostic to both GRC platform and auditor, we help organizations build a data protection program that fits their specific processing activities and scales with their business—not one designed around a single vendor's interpretation of the regulation.

Controller vs Processor Obligations

GDPR places different obligations on data controllers and data processors. Understanding your role is essential to building an appropriate compliance program.

Aspect	Data Controller	Data Processor
Definition	Determines purposes and means of processing	Processes data on behalf of the controller
Lawful basis	Must establish and document lawful basis	Relies on controller's lawful basis
Data subject rights	Directly responsible for fulfilling requests	Must assist controller in fulfilling requests
Breach notification	Must notify supervisory authority within 72 hours	Must notify controller without undue delay
DPIA responsibility	Must conduct DPIAs for high-risk processing	Must assist controller with DPIAs
Records of processing	Must maintain records of all processing activities	Must maintain records of processing on behalf of controllers
DPO requirement	Required based on processing type and scale	Required based on processing type and scale
Agency compliance timeline	2–4 months	2–3 months

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Key GDPR Principles and Concepts

GDPR compliance is built on core data protection principles and concepts. Understanding these fundamentals is essential to building a program that protects personal data and satisfies regulatory requirements.

Lawful Bases for Processing

GDPR requires a valid legal basis for every processing activity. The six bases are consent, contract performance, legal obligation, vital interests, public task, and legitimate interests. Each basis carries specific requirements and documentation obligations.

Data Subject Rights

GDPR grants individuals comprehensive rights over their personal data including access, rectification, erasure, portability, restriction of processing, and objection. Organizations must have processes to fulfill these rights within one month of a request.

Data Protection Officer (DPO)

Organizations must appoint a DPO when their core activities involve large-scale systematic monitoring or processing of special category data. The DPO oversees compliance, advises on DPIAs, and serves as the contact point for supervisory authorities.

Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)

Required before processing that is likely to result in high risk to individuals. DPIAs assess processing necessity, proportionality, risks to rights and freedoms, and measures to mitigate those risks.

International Data Transfers

Transferring personal data outside the EU requires adequate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), adequacy decisions, Binding Corporate Rules, or specific derogations. Organizations must assess the data protection laws of recipient countries.

Records of Processing Activities (RoPA)

Controllers and processors must maintain detailed records of their processing activities including purposes, data categories, recipients, transfer safeguards, retention periods, and security measures. These records must be available to supervisory authorities on request.

GDPR Compliance Checklist

Data Mapping & Inventory

Map all personal data processing activities
Identify data categories and data subjects
Document data flows including cross-border transfers
Classify data by sensitivity and processing purpose
Maintain Records of Processing Activities (RoPA)

Consent & Lawful Basis

Document lawful basis for each processing activity
Implement consent collection with clear opt-in mechanisms
Maintain records of consent with timestamps and scope
Ensure consent withdrawal is as easy as giving consent

Privacy Notices & Transparency

Publish clear privacy notices for all data collection points
Include required information (purpose, legal basis, retention, rights)
Provide layered notices for complex processing
Maintain version history of all privacy notices

Data Subject Rights

Implement processes for access request fulfillment
Enable data portability in structured machine-readable format
Establish erasure and restriction procedures
Document and track all data subject requests

Breach Notification

Establish breach detection and investigation procedures
Notify supervisory authority within 72 hours of awareness
Notify affected individuals for high-risk breaches
Maintain breach register with risk assessments

Data Protection Impact Assessment

Identify processing activities requiring DPIAs
Conduct DPIAs before high-risk processing begins
Document assessment outcomes and mitigation measures
Consult supervisory authority when residual risk is high

International Data Transfers

Implement Standard Contractual Clauses for non-adequate countries
Conduct Transfer Impact Assessments for each transfer
Document supplementary measures where required
Monitor adequacy decisions and regulatory changes

1,000+

Companies trust Agency for compliance

2–4 mo

Average time to GDPR compliance readiness

80%

Reduction in compliance team workload

The GDPR Compliance Process

Data Audit & MappingWeek 1–4

Conduct a comprehensive audit of all personal data processing activities. Map data flows, identify data categories, document storage locations, and catalog all systems that process EU personal data.
Gap Analysis & Risk AssessmentWeek 3–6

Assess current practices against GDPR requirements. Identify gaps in consent management, data subject rights processes, breach notification procedures, and international transfer safeguards.
Policy & Notice DevelopmentWeek 5–10

Develop or update privacy policies, privacy notices, cookie policies, data retention schedules, and internal procedures. Establish Records of Processing Activities and lawful basis documentation.
Technical Controls & DPIAsWeek 8–14

Implement technical measures including encryption, access controls, data minimization, pseudonymization, and breach detection. Conduct DPIAs for high-risk processing activities.
DPO Appointment & TrainingWeek 10–14

Appoint a Data Protection Officer if required. Deploy GDPR awareness training to all employees handling personal data and role-specific training for key functions.
Ongoing Compliance & MonitoringOngoing

Continuous monitoring of data processing activities, regular DPIA reviews, annual policy updates, and ongoing training. Agency maintains continuous compliance readiness throughout.

What Does GDPR Compliance Cost?

GDPR compliance cost depends on several factors unique to your organization. Rather than publishing one-size-fits-all pricing, Agency scopes every engagement individually so you pay only for what you need.

Factors that determine cost:

Processing complexity & data volume: The number and types of processing activities, data categories, and data subjects directly affect implementation effort.

Data Protection Officer: Whether you appoint an internal DPO or outsource the role, and the complexity of your processing operations.

GRC platform: Platforms like Vanta and Drata automate evidence collection and control monitoring. Agency integrates natively with both.

Legal review: External counsel for processing agreements, Standard Contractual Clauses, and cross-border transfer assessments.

Technical implementation: Encryption, consent management platforms, data subject request portals, breach detection systems, and data discovery tools.

Ongoing maintenance: Annual policy reviews, DPIA updates, workforce training, regulatory monitoring, and continuous compliance assessment.

Agency replaces the internal time cost entirely. Our U.S.-based forward-deployed engineers, supercharged by proprietary AI, operate your compliance program so your team never context-switches into compliance work. Talk to our team for a custom quote based on your specific scope and requirements.

GDPR Compliance for Your Company Stage

Whether you're a startup entering the EU market or an enterprise managing data protection across global operations, Agency meets you where you are.

Startups

Entering the EU market or handling EU customer data for the first time. You need GDPR compliance without hiring a dedicated privacy team.

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Mid-Market

Scaling data processing operations across EU markets, or adding frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. You need operational efficiency and cross-framework leverage.

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Enterprise

Managing GDPR compliance across subsidiaries, geographies, and complex international data transfers. You need unified governance and continuous regulatory readiness.

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How Agency Delivers GDPR Compliance

Agency operates your entire GDPR compliance program end-to-end—from data mapping through implementation and continuous monitoring—without adding headcount. We integrate natively with leading GRC platforms like Vanta and Drata to maximize your existing compliance infrastructure.

Continuous Control Validation

Verse C2 orchestrates real-time validation across your GRC platform, cloud infrastructure, identity providers, and endpoint security. Drift is detected and remediated automatically.

Automated Evidence Collection

Umberto eliminates the manual screenshot-and-spreadsheet evidence cycle. Evidence is collected, organized, and maintained automatically—always current, always audit-grade.

AI-Powered Remediation

Rumi AI writes infrastructure-as-code fixes for cloud misconfigurations. Storm Shadow validates every evidence artifact before auditor submission.

Cross-Framework Mapping

Armada PSCO maps GDPR requirements to ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, and other frameworks automatically. Work done for GDPR carries forward to every additional compliance initiative.

GRC Platform Integration

Agency connects directly to your existing Vanta or Drata instance. We automate evidence collection, sync control status, and keep your GRC dashboard current—so your platform investment delivers maximum value with zero manual upkeep.

Automated Documentation

M79 generates system descriptions and management assertions. Caruso maintains network diagrams. Every artifact is documented and traceable.

Managed Detection & Response

Agency MDR covers all endpoints with compliance-grade incident documentation, investigation, and response—satisfying GDPR breach detection and response requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GDPR?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data protection law enacted by the European Union in 2018. It establishes strict requirements for how organizations collect, process, store, and transfer personal data of EU residents. GDPR applies to any organization worldwide that processes personal data of individuals in the EU, regardless of where the organization is based.

Who does GDPR apply to?

GDPR applies to any organization that processes personal data of individuals in the European Union, regardless of where the organization is located. This includes data controllers (who determine the purposes of processing), data processors (who process data on behalf of controllers), and any company offering goods or services to EU residents or monitoring their behavior.

What are the penalties for GDPR non-compliance?

GDPR penalties can reach up to 4% of annual global turnover or 20 million euros, whichever is higher, for the most serious infringements. Lower-tier penalties of up to 2% of global turnover or 10 million euros apply to less severe violations. Supervisory authorities can also impose bans on data processing, require data deletion, and order corrective actions.

What are the lawful bases for processing personal data?

GDPR recognizes six lawful bases for processing personal data: consent, performance of a contract, legal obligation, vital interests, public task, and legitimate interests. Organizations must identify and document the lawful basis for each processing activity before collecting personal data. Consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous.

What are data subject rights under GDPR?

GDPR grants individuals eight key rights: the right to be informed, right of access, right to rectification, right to erasure (right to be forgotten), right to restrict processing, right to data portability, right to object, and rights related to automated decision-making and profiling. Organizations must have processes to fulfill these rights within specified timeframes.

Do I need a Data Protection Officer (DPO)?

A DPO is required if your organization is a public authority, if your core activities involve regular and systematic monitoring of individuals on a large scale, or if your core activities involve processing special categories of data on a large scale. Even when not legally required, appointing a DPO is considered best practice for organizations with significant data processing operations.

How long does GDPR compliance take?

Initial GDPR compliance typically takes 3 to 9 months for most organizations. This includes data mapping, gap analysis, policy updates, technical controls, DPO appointment, and training. With Agency, organizations can achieve compliance readiness in as little as 2 to 4 months because our forward-deployed engineers, supercharged by AI, handle data mapping, policy generation, and control implementation.

What is a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)?

A DPIA is a process required by GDPR when data processing is likely to result in a high risk to individuals' rights and freedoms. It must be conducted before the processing begins and must describe the processing, assess its necessity and proportionality, identify risks, and determine measures to mitigate those risks. DPIAs are mandatory for systematic profiling, large-scale processing of special categories of data, and large-scale public monitoring.

Related Frameworks

SOC 2 ISO 27001 HIPAA HITRUST CMMC

Related Challenges

Audited Compliance Cross-Framework Complexity Fragmented Governance Policy & Access Trust & Transparency Questionnaire Fatigue

Platform Products

Verse C2

Command-and-control AI automation platform

Umberto

AI compliance evidence engine

Armada PSCO

Unified control ontology and mapping

Get GDPR Compliant With Agency

From data mapping to compliance-ready in months. Agency's forward-deployed engineers, supercharged by AI, operate your entire GDPR compliance program so your team stays focused on building product.

Assemble Your GRC Team