What is the National Data Management Office (NDMO) Framework?

As Saudi Arabia progresses with its digital economy in line with Vision 2030, there’s a surge in data generation. While this data can yield valuable insights and economic benefits, much of its potential remains unused due to inadequate data structuring, preparation, and governance. Moreover, concerns over personal and sensitive data make it challenging to maximize its value. To address these challenges, the Saudi government has taken a proactive step by establishing the National Data Management Office (NDMO) .

As the national data regulator, the NDMO has introduced Data Management and Personal Data Protection Standards. It outlines essential controls and specifications for effective data management practices across various entities.?

Let’s explore the NDMO framework and how it assists organizations in treating data as valuable assets.

What is the NDMO Framework?

The NDMO framework titled “Controls and Specifications for National Data Management, Governance, and Personal Data Protection” is a set of controls and practices to enhance data integrity and secure personal information.?

The framework consists of the entire data lifecycle, from its inception and usage to its eventual disposal and elimination. It consists of 15 distinct domains structured to provide comprehensive coverage of the data management and governance landscape.?

The framework defines three levels for these domains:

• Domain Level (Domain): Each domain denotes a distinct knowledge area within the data management and governance framework, including 15 domains regulated by these controls.
• Control Level (Control): This tier consists of sets of controls addressing specific facets within each domain.
• Control Specifications Level (Specifications Control): Here, specifications for each control are defined, detailing the anticipated outcomes necessary for adherence to data management and governance standards.

Importance of NDMO Framework

Complying with the National Data Management Office (NDMO) framework is important, as it helps ensure data reliability. Using this framework, different groups like data architects and security teams can focus more on the data itself while following a security-centric approach. Moreover, organizations have become vigilant in third-party arrangements and ensure vendors comply with strict data usage policies.?

Adopting the NDMO framework helps organizations enhance the reliability, security, and compliance of their data assets. Beyond mitigating risks, this framework’s implementation helps improve decision-making and business performance.?

Below are some benefits of implementing the NDMO framework in your organization.?

1. Setting Up a Data-Focused System

Starting with NDMO means beginning the journey to build a company that uses data well. Companies that know how to handle data are more likely to grow than those that keep data in separate places.

2. Following the Rules

NDMO helps companies understand and follow rules about data to avoid getting in trouble with the law. By embedding regulatory requirements into operational protocols, organizations mitigate the risk of costly fines resulting from non-compliance.

3. Improving Data Quality

Implementing governance mechanisms promotes a culture of data quality awareness. With clearly defined roles and responsibilities, stakeholders can actively engage in enhancing data quality. This promotes a data ecosystem that is helpful for informed decision-making.

4. Breaking Down Barriers

Using the NDMO framework helps get rid of data and people silos in different parts of the company. By organizing data and making it easy for people to work together, companies can find new ways to solve problems and make better choices.

5. Understanding and Controlling Data

NDMO equips organizations with the controls and best practices to understand and govern data usage effectively. This facilitates proactive troubleshooting and issue resolution. By enabling a proactive approach to data management, NDMO empowers organizations to navigate challenges, optimize data utilization, and fuel sustainable growth.

Best Practices to Ensure Successful Implementation of NDMO Framework?

Following are some of the best practices to ensure the successful implementation of the NDMO framework:

• Centralized Leadership: Centralize controls execution under a single entity. This ensures a clear mandate, accountability, and targets. A dedicated function drives NDMO program execution centrally, fostering cross-functional coordination. Identify key stakeholders, assign clear roles and responsibilities, and maintain regular touchpoints. Strong leadership from the NDMO team, with consistent executive support, is crucial.
• Value-driven Approach: Align NDMO programs with business priorities for sustained engagement and success. Deliver regular business value, incentivize stakeholders, and measure outcomes consistently. Strong leadership from the NDMO team, backed by executives, is vital.?
• Pilot NDMO Specifications: Before full implementation, pilot crucial NDMO specifications like data policies and analytics use cases to ensure alignment with business priorities. Engage business stakeholders in thorough piloting sessions to gather feedback and make tailored enhancements.
• Strong Data Culture: Establishing a strong data culture to maximize the value extracted from data assets within an NDMO program. This involves initiating the drive at the senior leadership level, cascading the vision throughout the organization, and enabling talent through recruitment and training. Organizations should also sustain engaging communications to reinforce the importance of data-driven decision-making.
• Compliance Automation: Organizations can leverage compliance automation for a successful NDMO program. Compliance automation tools streamline adherence to regulatory requirements. By automating compliance processes, organizations can reduce manual errors, ensure consistency in adherence to regulations, and streamline reporting.

Need help automating NDMO compliance? CyberArrow is here to help. CyberArrow GRC can automate your compliance tasks and reduce the manual burden on your compliance team. With CyberArrow GRC, you can streamline the implementation of NDMO standards.?

From evidence collection to risk management, our platform automates compliance processes, enabling your organization to achieve greater efficiency and accuracy in NDMO program execution.?

Schedule a free demo to let CyberArrow empower your team to focus on strategic initiatives while we handle the complexities of compliance management!

FAQs

What are the roles and responsibilities of NDMO?

The National Data Management Office (NDMO) oversees data management and governance within Saudi Arabia. Its primary responsibilities include defining and implementing policies and procedures related to data management. It ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, coordinates data-related activities across departments, and drives initiatives to maximize the value derived from data assets.

What are the KSA National Data Governance Interim Regulations?

The KSA National Data Governance Interim Regulations refer to the regulatory framework established by NDMO to govern the management and use of data within the country. These regulations outline the principles, standards, and guidelines for data governance, covering data sharing, privacy, classification, freedom of information, and open data. They aim to ensure that data is managed ethically, securely, and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

What does the acronym NDMO stand for?

The acronym “NDMO” stands for National Data Management Office. It refers to a centralized entity responsible for overseeing data management and governance initiatives at a national level.?