Data Processing Agreement (DPA)
Put processor instructions, safeguards and accountability into the contract.
We align the Data Processing Agreement (DPA) to the Processor relationship that has actually been assessed, including the processing scope, locations, sub-processors, instructions, safeguards and conditions the Controller needs to enforce.
REGULATORY BASIS
KSA PDPL Article 8 and Implementing Regulation Article 17
OPERATING FOCUS
Processing purpose, Personal Data, duration, Controller instructions, breach notification, foreign-law exposure, sub-processors and accountability
OUTCOME
An executed DPA that reflects the actual Processor relationship and supports instruction, monitoring and compliance evidence
TYPICAL TRIGGERS
Bring this DPO service into the workflow when these events occur.
Each trigger can create a new privacy decision, control requirement or evidence obligation that should be assessed and retained.
01
New Processor onboarding
02
Existing Processor without a compliant DPA
03
Contract renewal
04
Material processing change
05
New sub-processor
06
Hosting or foreign-access change
WHY IT MATTERS
Make the contract reflect the Processor relationship you have actually approved.
We translate the due-diligence findings into relationship-specific contractual controls covering the service, Personal Data, purpose, duration, locations, sub-processors, instructions, security, cooperation and change conditions. This keeps the executed DPA aligned with the processing the Controller has assessed rather than relying on a generic agreement.
The contract should not describe a generic Processor relationship. It should document the specific processing the Controller has assessed and approved.
WHAT DPO ARABIA DELIVERS
Turn the assessed Processor relationship into enforceable contractual controls.
The service connects the processing facts established during due diligence with the contractual terms, instructions and governance controls needed for the Processor relationship.
01
DPA scope & processing schedule
Define the services, processing purpose, Personal Data categories, Data Subjects, processing duration, locations and relevant processing activities.
02
Controller instructions & Processor obligations
Document authorised instructions and the Processor’s obligations for compliant processing, confidentiality, security and cooperation.
03
Personal Data Breach obligations
Establish prompt Processor notification, incident information requirements, cooperation and escalation expectations.
04
Sub-processor governance
Identify existing sub-processors and define notification, approval, objection and downstream protection requirements.
05
Foreign-law & transfer provisions
Address other-country legal exposure and connect the DPA to applicable cross-border safeguards where foreign processing or access exists.
06
Execution, change & review controls
Track negotiation points, approvals, executed versions, renewal dates and material changes requiring reassessment.
HOW WE WORK
Move from an assessed Processor relationship to an executed, governed DPA.
The four-stage workflow keeps the processing facts, contractual requirements, negotiation record and final agreement connected in one evidence trail.
01
Confirm the processing
Validate the Processor role, services, Personal Data, purpose, duration, locations, access and sub-processors against the screening evidence.
02
Assess the contract
Review the proposed agreement and DPA against the Processor requirements and the actual processing arrangement.
03
Draft & negotiate
Prepare or amend the DPA, processing schedule and required contractual protections, resolving gaps with the Processor.
04
Execute & govern
Retain the executed agreement, record outstanding conditions and define renewal or material-change triggers.
EVIDENCE YOU RETAIN
Keep the executed agreement and the decisions behind it together.
The evidence set shows how the Processor relationship was translated into contractual requirements, what was negotiated and which version governs the approved processing.
KSA PDPL REGULATORY CONTEXT
Connect the DPA to the Controller’s Processor accountability obligations.
We use the KSA PDPL Processor-accountability requirements and the Implementing Regulation’s agreement, instruction, monitoring and sub-Processor conditions to structure the contractual controls for the assessed Processor relationship.
Saudi PDPL Article 8 – Controller Obligations for Processors
Requires Controllers to select Processors that provide sufficient guarantees, monitor their compliance and remain accountable for obligations toward Data Subjects and the Competent Authority.
PDPL Implementing Regulation Article 17 – Choosing the Processor
Sets the detailed agreement requirements, including processing purpose, Personal Data categories, duration, breach notification, foreign-law exposure, Controller instructions and sub-Processor engagement.
RELATED DPO GUIDE
Need a practical checklist for the Processor agreement?
The related DPO Guide provides deeper working context when drafting or reviewing a DPA to connect the agreement clauses with the processing facts and KSA PDPL Processor requirements that need to be addressed.
THIRD PARTIES, CONTRACTS & TRANSFERS
What a KSA PDPL DPA Needs to Cover
USE WHEN: drafting, reviewing or negotiating a Processor agreement and its processing schedule.
RELATED THIRD PARTIES, CONTRACTS & TRANSFERS SERVICES
Connect the DPA into the wider third-party governance lifecycle.
Where the requirement extends beyond this service, we connect the work to the related services that establish the Processor relationship, assess foreign processing or access and implement the applicable transfer safeguard.
01
THIRD-PARTY DUE DILIGENCE
Processor / Third-Party Screening
We assess third-party processing, security, location and compliance evidence before onboarding or material change.
02
TRANSFER RISK
Transfer Impact & Risk Assessment (TIA/TRA)
03
TRANSFER SAFEGUARD
SDAIA Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
We put the appropriate Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) contractual transfer safeguard in place where the transfer mechanism requires it.
NEXT STEP
Need a Data Processing Agreement as a focused service or part of your Data Protection Officer (DPO) Office?
Share the Processor relationship, proposed agreement, processing scope and any available screening evidence. We can review or prepare the DPA as a focused engagement or connect it to the wider third-party governance support you need.