Navigating NDMO & PDPL Compliance with Confidence
Empowering your organization to meet Saudi Arabia’s data protection standards seamlessly
Understanding NDMO and PDPL
Saudi Arabia has taken a structured and forward-thinking approach to data protection and governance through two core frameworks: the National Data Management Office (NDMO) guidelines and the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL).
What is NDMO?
NDMO, governed by the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), sets the national standards for how organizations should manage, classify, secure, and share data.
What is PDPL?
The Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) is Saudi Arabia’s first comprehensive data privacy regulation. It outlines the rules organizations must follow when collecting, processing, and storing personal data.
NDMO
PDPL
What it’s about
Managing all types of data in an organized, secure, and ethical way
Who it applies to
Mostly government entities and companies handling public sector data
Main focus
Setting standards for how data should be stored, classified, used
Examples of rules
Classify data, manage data lifecycle, appoint data owners, etc
Enforced by
NDMO, part of SDAIA
What kind of data
All data types: public, private, internal, confidential
Penalties
Can lead to consequences including fines and reputational risks
Why it matters
Helps improve data quality, trust, and digital transformation
What it’s about
Protecting personal data and giving individuals more control
Who it applies to
Any company handling personal data of people in Saudi Arabia
Main focus
Making sure people’s privacy rights are respected
Examples of rules
Get consent, explain how data is used, allow people to request deletion
Enforced by
SDAIA, under the PDPL law
What kind of data
Only personal data: name, ID, contact info, etc.
Penalties
Can lead to significant fines, criminal penalties & reputational risks
Why it matters
Builds customer trust and avoids legal risks
Challenges in Compliance
Data Silos
Information is scattered across teams and systems, making it hard to manage.
Lack of Visibility
Organizations don’t always know what data they have, where it lives, or who owns it.
Manual Processes
Compliance efforts are often spreadsheet-based and difficult to scale or audit.
Outdated Systems
Legacy infrastructure can’t support modern governance, automation, or reporting.
Cross border Data Risks
Data transfers outside Saudi Arabia carry legal risks if not properly assessed.
Unclear Data Ownership
Without defined roles, accountability for data quality and usage breaks down.
Why Choose HEMOdata
At HEMOdata, we take a holistic approach to NDMO and PDPL compliance by aligning people, process, technology, and data to drive lasting impact.
- Data: Your data is your strongest asset. We help you clean it, map it, and govern it, ensuring it’s high quality, protected, and ready for audit at any time.
- Technology: We work with leading platforms like Actian, Collibra, Data Sentinel and more, to automate key parts of compliance.
- Processes: We help you operationalize compliance through governance frameworks, documented policies, and repeatable workflows aligned with NDMO and PDPL standards.
- Training: We work closely with your teams to build internal knowledge and accountability. From training data owners to guiding leadership, we bring your people along the journey.
Success Story
HEMOdata have been instrumental in supporting our journey to define our data technology stack and strategy. We now have a lot more trust in our data, we have a well-structured tech stack that is used across business functions, and we have clear processes and procedures in place.
HEMOdata has supported Intigral with our NDMO compliance plan, customer data technology stack and our processes and procedures documentation. HEMOdata have been a pivotal extension of our team and will continue to support our journey.
Bill Sharp, VP Technology, Intigral
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between NDMO and PDPL?
NDMO is a broader data governance framework focused on all types of data (not just personal), while PDPL is a privacy-specific law that protects personal data and gives individuals rights over their information.
Is NDMO mandatory for private sector companies?
While NDMO primarily governs public sector data, private companies working with public entities or operating at scale in the Kingdom are increasingly expected to align with its standards.
Who needs to comply with PDPL in Saudi Arabia?
Any organization, local or international, that processes the personal data of individuals located in Saudi Arabia must comply with PDPL.
How long do organizations have to become compliant?
PDPL is currently in its enforcement phase, and organizations are expected to demonstrate clear progress toward compliance. NDMO adoption is measured through a maturity scorecard, which government entities are already being evaluated against.
Can NDMO and PDPL compliance be automated?
Parts of it, yes. While governance and consent require human oversight, many activities can be automated with the right tools:
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Data discovery and classification
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Consent capture and tracking
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Audit trails and activity logging
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Subject rights request workflows
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Real-time monitoring of data flows
Does PDPL apply to cloud-based data hosted outside of Saudi Arabia?
Yes, PDPL has strict provisions regarding cross-border data transfers. Personal data can only be transferred outside the Kingdom if the destination country ensures an adequate level of protection and the transfer meets SDAIA’s approval conditions. Organizations must also obtain explicit consent from data subjects before transferring their data abroad, unless otherwise exempt.
How can HEMOdata help with compliance?
We offer consulting, implementation, and enablement services to help you assess your current state, define a roadmap, and operationalize NDMO and PDPL requirements using a combination of strategy and modern tools.