PDPL and NIST 800-171 Compliance Support

Situation: FileCloud needed to enhance its compliance capabilities to address the regulatory requirements set by Saudi Arabian authorities (PDPL) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States (NIST 800-171). This initiative aimed to protect individual data and meet cybersecurity requirements, presenting a significant business opportunity in the defense, government, and private sectors. The existing solution required significant manual effort to ensure compliance, and the objective was to streamline these processes to meet regulatory standards efficiently.

What I Did

• Project Leadership:
  • Led the initiative to incorporate PDPL and NIST 800-171 compliance standards into the FileCloud product.
  • Defined project scope, timelines, and resource allocation to ensure successful implementation.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • Collaborated with legal, engineering, and product teams to understand the technical and regulatory requirements of PDPL and NIST 800-171.
  • Worked closely with the development team to implement necessary features and controls to meet compliance standards.
• Market Research and Analysis:
  • Conducted market research to identify the specific needs and pain points of customers in the defense and government sectors regarding data protection and security.
  • Analyzed competitor offerings to identify gaps and opportunities for FileCloud to differentiate itself in the market.
• Product Design and Development:
  • Developed and designed the user interface for the compliance dashboard, including new tabs for PDPL and NIST 800-171 compliance settings.
  • Created wireframes and mockups to illustrate the compliance dashboard enhancements.
  • Defined the functional requirements and external interface requirements for both PDPL and NIST 800-171 compliance features.
• Stakeholder Management:
  • Engaged with key stakeholders, including senior management, legal counsel, and compliance officers, to ensure alignment with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
  • Communicated project progress and milestones to stakeholders regularly

Result

• Achieved compliance with PDPL and NIST 800-171, ensuring data protection and security for clients.
• Opened new market opportunities in the defense and government sectors in Saudi Arabia and the US.
• Contributed to a 15% customer lead growth in target sectors over a 9-month period.
• Enhanced user experience by providing a comprehensive compliance dashboard, making it easier for users to configure and manage compliance settings.

Highlights

• Compliance Expertise:
  • Demonstrated a deep understanding of PDPL and NIST 800-171 compliance requirements.
  • Ensured that FileCloud's product met or exceeded all relevant regulatory standards.
• Strategic Impact:
  • Expanded FileCloud's market reach into new sectors and geographies.
  • Positioned FileCloud as a leader in data protection and security compliance.
• Cross-Functional Leadership:
  • Successfully led a cross-functional team to achieve a complex compliance goal.
  • Fostered collaboration and communication between different departments to ensure a smooth and efficient implementation process