By Rob Kall, CEO & Co-Founder, Cien.ai

“Very clean DPIA report”

– Phil Lee, Managing Director, Digiphile

Why Is GDPR Still a Mystery for US Companies?

For many US-based companies, especially in technology, GDPR compliance feels like trying to navigate a legal minefield with a blindfold on. The legislation is long, nuanced, and packed with exceptions. There’s fear of potential fines and liabilities—but not always clarity on what actually needs to be done.

GDPR may be a European regulation, but it has real consequences for any company handling the personal data of EU residents. If you store, process, or interact with EU customer data, you’re in scope. So how do you get your arms around this as a US-based executive?

First Step: Know What You Are

The most important question to answer is whether you are acting as a Data Controller or a Data Processor. The rules are different—and so are the ways you demonstrate compliance. Data Controller: You collect personal data (think: your website forms, customer data, etc.) and store it. You’re responsible for obtaining explicit consent and disclosing usage clearly in your Privacy Policy. You also need to store data securely and, ideally, within EU-based servers. If there’s a breach you’ve got disclosure obligations.

Data Processor: This is where most software companies sit. You handle or process data collected by someone else. Your responsibility is around how you manage that data. That includes creating a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) outlining what data is used, how it’s stored, and who is responsible for what. Many also commission a Data Privacy Impact Assessment (DPIA) — third-party audit to assess risk and mitigation plans.

What Does Success Look Like?

At Cien.ai, we’re a data processor trusted by global consultancies and technology firms to manage and analyze customer data securely—and in a GDPR-compliant way. Here’s what success looks like for us (and could for you too): EU Data Residency: For EU clients, their data stays within the EU. Security Certifications: SOC 2 Type 2 compliance and ongoing controls. Minimal Risk Surface: PII is masked by default in our systems. Risk Coverage: We maintain ample cyber insurance protection. External Review: A DPIA assessment rated Cien “low risk” in all five categories. Legal Harmony:

Our DPA is harmonized with our broader contractual framework, making legal reviews smoother for all parties. Compliance doesn’t have to be painful or mysterious. It just has to be deliberate, well-documented, and tailored to your specific data role.

About the Cien.ai Data Exec Series

This article is part of our Data Exec Series, inspired by our work with B2B business leaders, growth consultants, and PE operating partners. These articles focus on the aspects of becoming a data-driven executive, ready for the AI revolution. If you’re interested in RevOps analytics and Sales Performance content, check out our Growth Essentials and Practical RevOps Analytics series as well.