NLEN
Home Knowledge Base ISO 27001 NIS2 DORA ISO 42001 ISO 27701 GDPR Web Pentest AI & LLM Security AI Governance GRC Platform About Careers Contact vCISO Netherlands DPO-as-a-service NIS2 Healthcare NEN 7510 Healthcare NIS2 Manufacturing NIS2 Accounting Case Studies ISO 27001 Pillar NIS2 Pillar DORA Pillar vs IRM360 vs Vanta vs Drata

DPO-as-a-Service: External Data Protection Officer for SMEs

Expert data protection compliance without full-time overhead. GDPR Article 37 mandate delivered by certified professionals.

Your organisation handles personal data—but managing GDPR compliance in-house strains resources. Our DPO-as-a-Service provides external expertise under GDPR Article 37, ensuring independence and accountability. From data mapping to breach response, we deliver professional data protection at €120–€180/hour or €750–€2,500 monthly. Perfect for SMEs navigating complex regulations. For Dutch organizations that have a Data Protection Officer requirement under GDPR art. 37.

On this page we discuss DPO-as-a-Service: External Data Protection Officer for SMEs in detail — all relevant aspects are covered below.

For Dutch organizations required under GDPR art. 37 to appoint a Data Protection Officer, we offer DPO-as-a-Service from €750 per month.

What is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is the international standard for information security and describes the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continuously improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). The standard applies to organisations of any size and sector. With the ISO 27001:2022 version, 93 Annex A controls are organised into four categories: organisational, people, physical and technological. Certification demonstrates that your organisation complies with international standards for information security.

Why ISO 27001 now?

Information security is no longer optional — it is a market requirement. ISO 27001 certification is increasingly required in procurement processes, strengthens client and partner confidence, and provides a solid foundation for NIS2, DORA and GDPR compliance.

  • Procurement: Increasingly, contracting authorities require ISO 27001 as a minimum qualification
  • NIS2 compliance: ISO 27001 covers a large portion of the NIS2 security requirements
  • Risk Management: A systematic approach that prevents incidents and limits damage
  • Stakeholder confidence: Clients, partners and regulators trust demonstrable security

ISO 27001:2022 — What has changed?

The 2022 revision brought significant changes: from 114 to 93 Controls, a reorganisation into four thematic categories and 11 new Controls focused on cloud security, threat intelligence and data masking. Organisations still certified on the 2013 version must migrate by October 2025 (deadline passed; non-migrated certificates have expired) at the latest.
The 4 control categories in ISO 27001:2022:

Organisational Controls (37) · People Controls (8) · Physical Controls (14) · Technological Controls (34) — total 93 Annex A Controls.

Our approach: from initial assessment to certificate We follow a proven four-phase approach that combines realistic timelines with sustainable implementation:
  • Phase 1 — Gap analysis: Baseline assessment of your current security level against the ISO 27001 standard. Clear insight into the distance to certification.
  • Phase 2 — Implementation: Establishing the ISMS — risk analysis, Statement of Applicability, policy, procedures and controls in conformance with Annex A.
  • Phase 3 — Certification: Internal audit, management review and full guidance through the external Stage 1 and Stage 2 certification audit.
  • Phase 4 — Maintenance: Continuous support for surveillance audits, recertification and continuous improvement of your ISMS.
GRC Platform — your ISMS in one system Our ISO2700X GRC Platform runs on-premise at your location and integrates all your ISMS documentation, Risk Register, Annex A Controls and audit evidence in one overview. Compli AI generates policy suggestions tailored to your organisation profile — 64 templates, 113 sections, 398 questions.

Learn more about the GRC Platform →

Take Control of Your Data Protection Compliance

Your external DPO is ready. Certified. Independent. Available. Start your 30-day onboarding today—€750/month Starter package includes full GDPR audit and policy updates.

Free Consultation

Related knowledge base