DPO as a Service: Your path to simplified data protection
Organisations today are under constant pressure to manage data protection, meet the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) compliance requirements, and respond to growing scrutiny from regulators like the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
For many, appointing a full-time Data Protection Officer (DPO) isn’t practical.
That’s where DPO as a Service comes in.
This blog gives a clear view of data protection officer services, what the service involves, when you need to appoint a Data Protection Officer, what costs to expect, and how to choose the right provider.
Common challenges businesses face with data protection
For many organisations, the same issues tend to come up repeatedly:
- The cost of hiring a full-time DPO
Bringing in a qualified DPO is expensive: think salaries and training. - Lack of in-house expertise
Data protection requires expert knowledge of compliance, risk management, and regulatory interpretation. - Keeping up with changing regulations
Guidance and rules are constantly shifting. Staying up to date with compliance and the GDPR takes time and focus that most teams lack. - Risk of breaches and penalties
Poorly kept policies and procedures increase the likelihood of data breaches.
These challenges are why many businesses consider an outsourced DPO, as a more sustainable way to manage data protection and regulatory compliance.
What is DPO as a Service?
DPO as a Service (also referred to as outsourced DPO, virtual DPO, or external DPO) is a framework where an organisation designate an independent, qualified Data Protection Officer through a third-party service provider, rather than hiring a DPO internally.
Under the GDPR, some organisations are legally required to appoint a DPO, particularly those that process large volumes of personal data, handle sensitive data (e.g. health or criminal records) or conduct the systematic monitoring of individuals.
Even where it’s not mandatory, many organisations choose a DPO service to strengthen their data privacy and regulatory compliance posture.
A DPO does not necessarily have to be an individual; it can be a company, too.
What does a Data Protection Officer do?
A DPO is responsible for overseeing your organisation’s data protection framework. This includes:
- Monitoring GDPR compliance and wider legal compliance
- Advising on data privacy obligations and risks
- Supporting Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs)
- Maintaining your Article 30 record (record of processing activities)
- Leading incident management and data breach response
- Acting as the point of contact with the ICO and regulators
- Delivering staff training and awareness
- Conducting audits and compliance monitoring
In short, they provide independent oversight of your data protection and ensure your compliance programme is effective.
For a deeper understanding of what a DPO does, read our blog: How a DPO drives positive change.
Benefits of outsourcing your data protection officer
For most SMEs and growing organisations, an outsourced DPO is a more practical and effective option than hiring internally.
1. Cost-effective compared to hiring in-house
A full-time, experienced data protection officer can cost £70,000–£120,000+ annually, excluding training and overheads.
By contrast, DPO as a Service typically operates on:
- Fixed monthly retainers, which means a predictable cost
- Tiered pricing based on complexity and support level
- On-demand support models for lower-risk organisations
The advantage is that you get senior expertise without long-term employment costs.
2. Access to specialist expertise
Data protection is not static. Reasons it changes include things like updates from the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), changes to regulatory guidance from the ICO, or case law and enforcement trends.
Hiring a DPO provider means that you’ll get cross-sector experience and up-to-date regulatory knowledge, as well as exposure to real-world data breach management scenarios.
You’ll have the backing and support from a team of data protection experts, and this level of expertise is difficult to replicate with a single internal hire.
3. Stronger compliance, lower risk
A qualified external DPO reduces the likelihood of GDPR breaches, regulatory fines and therefore reduces the occurrence of reputational damage.
They implement structured risk assessments, enforce governance, and ensure your data protection approach stands up to scrutiny.
4. Independence and objectivity
Under GDPR, a DPO must operate independently.
Internal DPOs often face conflicts of interest, especially if they also manage IT, security, or operations, impacting their ability to uphold best practice in data protection.
An outsourced data protection officer provides unbiased advice, clear escalation of risks, independence from internal pressures, and a focus on cyber security.
5. Focus on your core business
Managing data privacy internally can drain time and attention.
A DPO service allows your teams to focus on other priorities, whilst reducing internal compliance burden.
Speak to a DPO about your GDPR and data protection obligations
Key considerations when choosing a DPO service provider
Not all data protection officer services are equal. Choosing the wrong provider can leave gaps in your regulatory compliance.
There are several things you should assess when considering a DPO service.
1. Qualifications and experience
You should look for a hands-on DPO provider that is not only proactive, but has, at a minimum:
- Recognised data protection certifications (such as BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection, CIPM, CIPP, etc.)
- Proven experience with GDPR compliance
- Practical experience with audits, DSARs, breaches, and regulator interaction
Strong providers will also demonstrate experience across industries and regulatory environments.
Evalian’s DPO team are a good example of the level of expertise you should look for in a DPO provider.
View the Evalian DPO team here.
2. Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
It’s important to have clarity on response times and availability.
A credible DPO service should define:
- Response times for incidents – for example, within 24 hours
- Availability for urgent breach scenarios
- Regular reporting cadence to suit your business: monthly/quarterly
Without this, support becomes inconsistent.
3. Integration with your business
A good DPO service provider should integrate with your existing systems and teams, not operate in isolation.
They should work with your IT and security teams and align with your cybersecurity frameworks (e.g. Cyber Essentials, IASME). They should also support your existing tools.
4. Pricing models and transparency
Many providers are vague on pricing – that’s a red flag!
You should make sure to ask questions to understand:
What’s included vs chargeable?
Are there limits on support hours?
What are escalation costs?
As an example of a tiered service, Evalian’s Data protection packages include the following base tiers:
DPO Essentials – GDPR gap analysis to assess your current compliance position and identify priority actions.
DPO Support – Independent oversight, annual staff awareness training and practical guidance.
DPO Complete – Full oversight, DPIAs and LIAs conducted for you, live training, and direct access to your named DPO.
5. Managing conflicts of interest
If a provider also delivers IT or security services, you need to ensure safeguards are in place.
Your DPO must remain independent, even when advising on systems they helped implement.
6. Data security and confidentiality
Your DPO will be handling sensitive information, so you should check for experience in:
- Secure data handling practices
- Alignment with recognised standards
- Clear confidentiality agreements
Real-world examples: DPO as a service in practice
Healthcare organisation: achieving compliance and certification
Generated Health case study, needed to strengthen its data protection and prepare for regulatory requirements, including ISO 27001 and NHS DTAC.
With an outsourced Data Protection Officer service, they:
- Improved readiness for NHS digital health compliance standards
- Gained access to ongoing legal and regulatory advice without internal overhead
This gave the business greater confidence in its data privacy approach and reduced reliance on internal teams to interpret complex regulations.
Scaling technology business: strengthening governance and support
A UK-based micromobility company, Beryl, required robust data protection, security oversight, and support as it expanded across multiple cities and jurisdictions.
By implementing a combined outsourced DPO and security support model, they:
- Improved data governance and compliance coverage
- Gained access to a wider team of DPO experts
- Strengthened support during time-sensitive incidents
- Established a more integrated, partner-led approach
This ensured the business could scale while maintaining strong regulatory compliance and operational resilience.
Hospitality: reducing risk and protecting reputation
A luxury hotel venue and its neighbouring airport, Aviator Hotel, needed to manage large volumes of guest data and ensure GDPR compliance.
With an outsourced DPO-as-a-service model, they:
- Established structured data protection policies and procedures
- Improved handling of high-volume personal data
- Reduced the risk of breaches and regulatory penalties
- Gained confidence in compliance and incident response
The organisation noted they are now less likely to suffer a breach and are confident any incident would be handled effectively.
View more DPO success stories.
Do I need an outsourced data protection officer?
You are legally required to appoint a Data Protection Officer under GDPR if:
- You are a public authority
- Your core activities are regularly and systematically monitoring individuals on a large scale. An organisation’s core activities are its primary business activities
- You process special categories of data or data relating to criminal convictions and offences on a large scale
Even if not mandatory, many organisations still assign a DPO to reduce risk and strengthen data protection.
If you’re struggling to understand whether you need to hire a DPO, use this helpful guide: The DPO Checklist.
How much does an outsourced DPO cost?
As a general guide, DPO costs can range from:
- A few hundred pounds per month for basic support
- Several thousand pounds for more comprehensive, hands-on engagements.
The cost will vary depending on a few key factors:
- The size of your organisation
- How complex your data processing activities are
- The level of support you require
The key, no matter the size of your organisation, is value, not just cost.
A poorly implemented data protection framework is far more expensive in the long run.
Read our comprehensive guide to DPO costs here.
Actionable next steps
If you’re considering DPO as a Service, you should take a structured approach:
- Step 1: Assess your organisation’s data protection risks and obligations,
- Step 2: Compare providers based on expertise, SLAs, and pricing transparency
- Step 3: Request a consultation to evaluate fit and get a tailored proposal
Speak to a DPO
If you’re unsure whether an outsourced DPO is right for your organisation, request a consultation with one of our dedicated, knowledgeable team members to:
- Clarify your GDPR compliance requirements
- Identify gaps in your current data protection approach
- Receive a clear, tailored recommendation
We won’t give you generic advice; we’ll get to understand your business and give you a practical path forward.
