UAE PDPL
UAE federal regulation for personal data protection
ISO 28000
International standard for supply chain security management systems.
Quick Verdict
UAE PDPL mandates privacy protections for personal data in onshore UAE, enforcing rights and security via fines. ISO 28000 offers voluntary supply chain security framework for global resilience. Companies adopt PDPL for legal compliance, ISO 28000 for certification and risk reduction.
UAE PDPL
Federal Decree-Law No. 45/2021 on Personal Data Protection
Key Features
- Extraterritorial scope for foreign processors of UAE data
- Mandatory Records of Processing for all controllers/processors
- Risk-based DPO and DPIA for high-risk activities
- Explicit exclusions for free zones and sectoral regimes
- Adequacy-based cross-border transfer mechanisms
ISO 28000
ISO 28000:2022 Security management systems Requirements
Key Features
- Risk-based supply chain security assessment and treatment
- PDCA cycle for continual SMS improvement
- Top management leadership and commitment requirements
- Integration with ISO 31000 and ISO 22301
- Operational controls for external processes and suppliers
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
UAE PDPL Details
What It Is
UAE PDPL (Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 Concerning the Protection of Personal Data) is a comprehensive federal regulation establishing economy-wide personal data governance in onshore UAE. Effective January 2022, it adopts a risk-based approach with principles like fairness, purpose limitation, minimization, accuracy, security, and storage limitation, applying to controllers/processors handling UAE residents' data, including extraterritorially.
Key Components
- Core obligations: lawful bases (consent primary, exceptions for contracts/public interest), transparency, Records of Processing Activities (RoPA) mandatory for all, DPO/DPIA for high-risk (sensitive data, large volumes, new tech).
- Data subject rights: access, portability, correction, erasure, objection, automated decisions safeguards.
- Security/breach rules, cross-border transfers via adequacy or safeguards.
- No certification; compliance demonstrated via records, audits.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandated for onshore operations; avoids fines (up to AED 5M), builds digital trust, enables secure data flows. Enhances cybersecurity, aligns with GDPR for multinationals, differentiates in tenders.
Implementation Overview
Phased: gap analysis, data inventory/RoPA, DPIAs, security/privacy-by-design, rights workflows, vendor DPAs. Applies broadly (private sector, all sizes); free zones/sectoral carve-outs require mapping. Ongoing monitoring essential.
ISO 28000 Details
What It Is
ISO 28000:2022 is an international certification standard specifying requirements for a security management system (SMS) focused on supply chain security. It adopts a risk-based, PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) approach to manage threats like theft, sabotage, and disruptions across organizational processes and partners.
Key Components
- Clauses 4-10 cover context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, and improvement.
- Emphasizes risk assessment (aligned with ISO 31000), security policies, operational controls, audits, and continual improvement.
- No fixed controls; tailored via risk treatment and integration with standards like ISO 22301 and ISO 27001.
- Certification via accredited bodies per ISO 28003.
Why Organizations Use It
- Reduces supply chain risks, ensures compliance, meets partner demands.
- Builds resilience, lowers insurance costs, enables market access.
- Enhances governance, stakeholder trust, and competitive edge in logistics, manufacturing.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, risk assessment, policy development, training, audits.
- Scalable for all sizes/industries; 6-36 months typical.
- Involves internal audits, management reviews; optional third-party certification.
Key Differences
| Aspect | UAE PDPL | ISO 28000 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal data processing, privacy rights, security | Supply chain security management system |
| Industry | Onshore UAE private sector, all industries | All industries worldwide, supply chain focus |
| Nature | Mandatory federal law with penalties | Voluntary certification standard |
| Testing | DPIAs for high-risk, records of processing | Internal audits, management reviews, certification audits |
| Penalties | Administrative fines up to AED 5M | Loss of certification, no legal penalties |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about UAE PDPL and ISO 28000
UAE PDPL FAQ
ISO 28000 FAQ
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