Howl #5:From Zero to GDPR- Compliant in 30 Days
If you are running a SaaS startup, GDPR compliance might feel like one of those “we’ll get to it later” tasks. But the truth is, the later you wait, the harder (and more expensive) it becomes. The good news is you can build a solid GDPR foundation in just 30 days — if you take it one week at a time.
At Third Wolf Consulting Group, we have helped startups and scaling tech teams do exactly that. Here is your roadmap from zero to GDPR-compliant in 30 days.
Week 1: Audit & Assessment
Before you can fix anything, you need to know what you are working with.
Key tasks:
Map where personal data lives (CRMs, analytics, databases, third-party tools).
Identify what you collect, why you collect it, and who has access.
Review your vendors and make sure you have Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) in place.
Flag high-risk areas (like marketing tracking or sensitive user data).
Goal: Get full visibility into your data ecosystem. You can’t protect what you don’t know exists.
Week 2: Documentation & Policies
Once you understand your data flows, it’s time to document and communicate them.
Key tasks:
Write or update your Privacy Policy — make it honest, clear, and GDPR-compliant.
Draft your Data Retention Policy and Security Policy.
Create templates for DSARs (Data Subject Access Requests), breach notifications, and consent forms.
Record your data processing activities (Article 30 Records).
Goal: Build transparency. Documentation is proof of accountability and the first thing regulators (and enterprise clients) will ask for.
Week 3: Technical Implementation
Now it’s time to make your systems match your policies.
Key tasks:
Add a compliant cookie consent banner to your site.
Set up access controls and encryption on all systems.
Review third-party integrations for unnecessary data sharing.
Automate DSAR intake and verification workflows.
Ensure backups, monitoring, and incident response plans are in place.
Goal: Align your tech stack with your privacy commitments. Automation is your best friend here — it saves time and ensures consistency.
Week 4: Testing & Training
Your compliance framework only works if your team does too.
Key tasks:
Run a mock GDPR audit or DSAR simulation.
Test your breach notification process.
Train your employees on privacy program management, data protection basics, and security hygiene.
Review everything with your leadership team and assign ownership for ongoing tasks.
Goal: Make privacy everyone’s job — not just legal’s.
Maintenance: Ongoing Compliance
Compliance isn’t a one-and-done project. It’s an ongoing part of growth.
Ongoing tasks:
Conduct quarterly privacy reviews and vendor audits.
Update your documentation as your product evolves.
Refresh team training annually.
Monitor updates to GDPR, CCPA, and other global privacy laws.
Goal: Stay proactive. You can’t automate accountability, but you can systemize it.
When to Get Help
You can DIY your first GDPR pass if you are pre-revenue or still validating your MVP. But once you start raising, signing enterprise clients, or handling sensitive data, it’s time to bring in experts.
That is where Third Wolf comes in. We help SaaS startups and scaling companies design practical privacy programs, automate compliance, and prepare for audits — all at a fraction of the cost of a law firm.
🐺 Need help building your roadmap? Let’s chat!
Risk Down. Revenue Up. ⚡
