The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is one of the biggest changes in data governance in recent memory. The GDPR dictates that any company that holds data on EU citizens has a responsibility to protect that data, promptly respond to access requests, and report data breaches. GDPR compliance software is an important tool for keeping up with the regulations. In this article, we’re going to look at the 10 best GDPR compliance software.
The list includes a range of solutions from auditing software and log management tools that help you detect risks and breaches, to compliance and task management solutions, that emphasize managing GDPR tasks to achieve compliance. We recommend that you always carry out independent research before adopting a new solution.
Here is our list of the 14 best GDPR compliance software:
- Files.com (FREE TRIAL) A cloud-based file management system that has server location options and data management templates to implement GDPR compliance.
- ExaVault (FREE TRIAL) This cloud platform offers file storage that includes security measures and activity tracking to make it suitable for GDPR compliance.
- ManageEngine ADAudit Plus (FREE TRIAL) A logging system that creates an audit trail for files and Active Directory, which is great for PCI DSS compliance. Available for Windows Server.
- ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer (FREE TRAIL) Log management software that can search through over 700 log sources with report templates, and a real-time correlation engine.
- Perimeter 81 (GET DEMO) This cloud platform of security services provides data protection and activity logging for compliance reporting.
- Ketch (FREE TRIAL) This consent management platform provides websites with GDPR compliance in their handling of site visitor preferences and personal data.
- Netwrix Auditor Auditing software you can use to run risk assessments with threat detection, alerts and, change/access/configuration reports.
- GDPR365 GDPR compliance and task management software that allows you to document and manage your data management strategy through a dashboard.
- Secure Privacy Website compliance solution for the GDPR, CCPA, and LGPD that can automatically block cookies and record consent for data collection.
- ECOMPLY.io Data protection management software for managing data protection tasks with reminders, and automated GDPR documentation.
- LogicGate Risk Cloud Workflow and automation platform that enables you to manage GDPR data compliance tasks and controls with email notifications and reports.
- OneTrust Privacy (OneTrust) Privacy management software for GDPR and CCPA compliance that automates data subject requests.
- ZenGRC Compliance management software with GDPR to-do lists, infrastructure risk scores, reports, alerts, and more.
- Vigilant Software GDPR Manager GDPR compliance software with a gap analysis tool, data subject access request handling, data breach reports, and more.
The Best GDPR Compliance Software
1. Files.com (FREE TRIAL)
The Files.com service facilitates secure file transfers and also offers encryption-protected storage. This is a cloud-based service and the issue of moving and storing data has serious consequences for those with customers, staff, and/or associates within the EU.
Key features:
- Full storage security
- Choice of server locations inside and outside the EU
- GDPR compliance documentation
- Secure file transfers
Files.com is aware of all of the requirements of GDPR and tailors its services accordingly. Users of Files.com have a choice of server locations, so they can decide whether to hold their files within the EU or in some other location. They are also able to store files securely within the Files.com system securely, in full compliance with GDPR.
It is possible to set file access, movements, and deletion tracking within the Files.com service. This helps with the necessary audit trail required for GDPR compliance. It is also possible to set data retention rules per folder or group of files, which is another way the demands of GDPR can be met within the Files.com system.
In order to guarantee data protection that is sufficient for GDPR compliance, customers will need to sign a Data Processing Addendum with Files.com. That document is a useful addition to the user’s GDPR compliance document library.
The complete file storage package offered by Files.com amounts to a GDPR compliance tool. Once settings have been adjusted for each data store, you will not have to worry about failing a compliance audit.
Files.com is available for a 7-day free trial.
2. ExaVault (FREE TRIAL)
ExaVault is a package of cloud-based services that provide secure file transfers and data storage. The cloud file space allocated to each subscription is securely managed to provide compliance with GDPR. The service is accessed by users through individual accounts that can have password strength enforcement and multi-factor authentication imposed on them.
Key features:
- Strong security
- Activity tracking
- Data access controls
- File management features
ExaVault has four plan levels but only the top plan, called Enterprise is suitable for GDPR – the others only offer data center locations in the USA. The Enterprise plan also gets you a Data Processing Agreement (DPA), which is necessary for GDPR. Businesses that need to comply with HIPAA should also choose this plan because it offers a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) as well.
File owners can choose to whom they grant access and control the permission levels of other users on the file. The system administrator is also able to impose controls and revoke access rights.
Activity logging tracks who accesses files and those log files can be extracted into a special archive. This is essential for GDPR compliance auditing.
You can assess ExaVault’s services with a 30-day free trial.
3. ManageEngine ADAudit Plus (FREE TRIAL)
ManageEngine ADAudit Plus tracks activity on files and Active Directory. This system records each action on a file or on an Active Directory domain controller. With the information stored in the created logs, you can identify which user account was involved in a change to a file or settings for accounts and resource permissions in AD.
Key Features:
- GDPR compliance reporting
- Compliance with HIPAA, GLBA, SOX, and PCI DSS
- Data access monitoring
- Active Directory change tracking
This is a useful tool for compliance with GDPR because it includes templates for compliance reporting. The system is also suitable for compliance with PCI DSS, HIPAA, GLBA, and SOX.
As well as registering access attempts per resource, the ADAudit Plus package includes a search routine that categorizes activities per user account. The service works out a standard pattern of behavior per user and then scrutinizes any action that falls outside of that pattern. This is because such anomalous behavior could indicate account takeover or an insider threat. The system also records all failed login attempts per user. A rise in this statistic could be caused by a hacker attempt at cracking credentials by brute force.
ManageEngine ADAudit Plus is a downloadable software package for installation on Windows Server. It is available in two plan levels: Standard and Professional. You can assess the Standard edition with a 30-day free trial.
4. ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer (FREE TRIAL)
ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer is a log management tool that you can use to comply with the GDPR. With ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer you can detect data breaches and search through over 700 log sources. The tool comes with report templates for regulations like GDPR, SOX, PCI DSS, HIPAA, to help maintain compliance.
Key features:
- Search through over 700 log sources
- Real-time correlation engine
- Monitor user access
- Report templates
A real-time correlation engine detects cybersecurity threats in real-time. The engine can detect threats including ransomware, SQL injections, worms, brute force attacks, DoS attacks, and more. Fast detection of these threats allows you to resolve security incidents much faster.
You can use the software to monitor user access tracking events like user logins, logoffs, and failed login attempts, to see if sensitive information was accessed. You can also monitor changes to resources such as a database table or schema edits. This allows you to audit your environment and make sure no problematic changes take place.
ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer offers users a Free Edition, which supports up to five log sources. To upgrade you need to contact the sales team to request a quote. Pricing depends on the number of Syslog devices, Windows servers, and Windows WorkStations you want to protect. The software is available for Windows and Linux. You can start the 30-day free trial.
5. Perimeter 81 (GET DEMO)
Perimeter 81 is a package of tools that can be assembled in different combinations to provide different system security strategies. The main benefit of this system is that it can combine the protection of multiple sites in one account and also protect cloud-based resources. The tool can protect data stores as well as applications.
Key features
- Protects data stores on servers and on cloud drives
- Controls access to applications
- Records user activities
- Provides strong connection security
Perimeter 81 blocks access to your cloud accounts and servers. The system implements connection security through VPNs and the only way anyone can get into one of your applications or data stores is through a VPN tunnel. Each user is given an access app, which only lists the applications to which that user has been given access rights. The system implements Zero Trust Access and provides a single sign-on mechanism to automatically pass through the user’s access credentials for each resource.
There isn’t a sensitive data detector in the Perimeter 81 package, so you would need to use a third-party package to find the files that need extra protection. Once they have been located, you can apply security policies to protect those locations with file integrity monitoring. Activity logging provides the raw data for data breach analysis and compliance reporting for GDPR.
Perimeter 81 is a subscription service and it is offered in four plans with each higher plan including more facilities and costing a little more. Pricing starts with the Essentials package at $8 per user plus $40 per site per month – you have to sign up for a minimum of ten users. You can examine the suitability of Perimeter 81 for your GDPR compliance strategy by accessing a free demo.
6. Ketch (FREE TRIAL)
Ketch is a consent management platform that caters to a range of needs from websites when dealing with the management of visitor preference and the storage of personal data. The complexities of the global data protection landscape make trying to keep within all relevant laws in all locations all the time a near-impossible task. That’s why sites need a system like Ketch: it will switch on the appropriate controls, such as GDPR compliance whenever the circumstances of each visitor demands it.
Key features:
- Geographical adaptability
- Appropriate controls only when and where necessary
- A Data Subject Request (DSR) management service
The Ketch service doesn’t just apply GDPR rules. It is also able to implement international standards, such as CCPA in California and LGPD in Brazil. It won’t apply GDPR rules everywhere. Those regulations are only relevant in the EU, so Ketch will only run its GDPR routines for visitors from that location – they aren’t applied to Brazilian visitors, for example.
The Ketch team recognizes that not all online systems require all of the stringent controls expected of multi-nationals, and so it offers four plan levels. There is a Free edition for amateur/club/enthusiast websites and lower paid plans for low-volume sites. The top plan is a customized package that is aimed at large multinationals.
Ketch is designed to be easy to set up and use and there are extensive guides in the Ketch user area. You also have access to an excellent support team who will be happy to help you implement a GDPR strategy and get all of your data management systems running automatically within the Ketch service. You can try out the Starter edition with a free trial.
7. Netwrix Auditor
Netwrix Auditor is an auditing software that allows you to assess your environment for vulnerabilities. You can use Netwrix Auditor to run risk assessments that tell you about risks in your environment and assign them a risk level. Risks you can view include users with passwords not required, user accounts with administrative permissions, shared folders, file names with sensitive data, and more.
Key features:
- Audit Active Directory, Azure AD, Office 365, Exchange, SharePoint, Oracle Database, SQL Server, and more
- Run risk assessments
- Alerts
- Change, access, and configuration reports
The software can audit a range of systems including Active Directory, Azure AD, Office 365, Exchange, SharePoint, Dell EMC, Oracle Database, SQL Server, Windows Server, VMware, and more. Change, access, and configuration reports let you know about changes made to your environment.
To make sure you don’t miss any important threats, Netwrix Auditor generates alerts. Alerts notify you about suspicious and anomalous activity that could indicate a data breach. Receiving an alert early allows you to take a closer look and take immediate steps to protect your data.
Netwrix Auditor is a reliable auditing solution that you can use to reduce the chance of data breaches and auditing that gives you enough information to make your environment more secure. You need to contact the company directly to request a quote. Available for Windows. You can try the 20-day free trial here.
8. GDPR365
GDPR365 is a GDPR compliance software that can give you a top-down perspective of your compliance strategy. With GDPR365 you can document your data management processes and security measures through a dashboard. The dashboard allows you to see where your data is at risk in your environment. You can assign tasks to users and then see when those tasks are completed. This enables you to make sure that your data protection measures are implemented.
Key features:
- Monitor your data management process
- Compliance dashboard
- Task reminder notifications
Through the compliance dashboard, you can view the status of your data protection strategy. For example, you can view pie charts breaking down data subject consent, so you know what data your customers have approved you to store. You can also view the status of access requests and breaches.
To help employees keep up with tasks, you can configure a review data and the software will automatically issue reminders to users. These notifications will reduce the likelihood of key compliance tasks not being completed on time.
GDPR365 is a tool aimed at organizations that want a top-down perspective of their GDPR compliance strategy, to assist with task management. Pricing starts at $55 (£45) per month for up to nine employees, two admins, and unlimited users. You can start the 14-day free trial from this link here.
9. Secure Privacy
Secure Privacy is a compliance solution designed to help make your site compliant with the GDPR, CCPA, and LGPD. You can use Secure Privacy to block and automatically record consent for advertising/data collection cookies on your site. The tool ensures that users have given permission for their data to be collected.
Key features:
- Automatic cookie blocking
- Cookie consent banners
- User preference center
The software also adds cookie consent banners and provides users with a preference center where they can manage their preferences. It’s easy for visitors to your site to opt-out of data collection, meaning that you only collect data users have given permission for.
Secure Privacy is a tool aimed at enterprises that want to make sure a website and its data collection is compliant with the GDPR. Prices start at $9.89 (£8) per month per website per month with monthly scanning and language detection. You can start the 7-day free trial here.
10. ECOMPLY.io
ECOMPLY.io is a data protection management tool designed to help enterprises manage GDPR compliance. With ECOMPLY.io you can create data protection tasks and manage them through a single tool. Reminders notify users about upcoming data protection tasks so they can take action.
Key features:
- Data protection management
- Automated GDPR documentation
- Reminders for upcoming data protection tasks
When it comes to auditing, ECOMPLY.IO enables you to use automated GDPR documentation during auditing. Automated documentation allows you to show auditors that you’re compliant with the regulations without having to waste time creating manual reports.
ECOMPLY.IO is a tool recommended for companies looking to organize their GDPR compliance strategy. Prices start at $82 (£66) per month for two users. You can start the free trial from this link here.
11. LogicGate Risk Cloud
LogicGate Risk Cloud is a workflow and automation platform that you can use to map and manage risk management processes. LogicGate Risk Cloud provides you with a central location where you can manage GDPR compliance tasks and data controls.
Key features:
- Map risk management processes
- Drag-and-drop form builder
- Email notifications
- Reports
The software enables you to visual compliance processes, for example, enterprise risk management allows you to identify risks and assign risk scores based on custom calculations. Then you can view these metrics through the dashboard to see how compliant your environment is.
To help you stay up-to-date with workflow tasks, LogicGate Risk Cloud comes with email notifications. You can create notification rules that will determine when you receive an alert so that you complete your compliance tasks promptly. There is also a report designer you can use to gather additional compliance information.
LogicGate Risk Cloud is a solid tool for monitoring GDPR compliance through workflows. To view pricing information, you need to request a quote from the company directly. You can request a demo from this link here.
12. OneTrust Privacy (OneTrust)
OneTrust Privacy is a privacy management software that can be used to comply with the GDPR and other regulations like the CCPA. OneTrust Privacy enables the user to automate data subject requests, which helps to ensure that your customers have access to the data you hold for them (meeting the requirements of the GDPR).
Key features:
- Automate data subject requests
- Data inventory and mapping
- Custom reports
- Compliance maturity assessments
The software also includes data inventory and mapping. You can record data processing so you can see how your data has been interacted with. Keeping records of processing provides an audit trail of data handling activities so you can easily see how data has been used. You can generate reports to monitor how data is processed.
A compliance maturity feature gives you the option to measure your compliance record with readiness assessments against over 300 companies in your industry or local region. This is a useful addition as it enables you to see where you stack up against other companies and whether you’re doing enough.
OneTrust Privacy is a useful tool for enterprises that want to manage data privacy and subject requests more efficiently. Pricing depends on the number of features and you want to use. For example, the Consumer & Data Subject Requests package starts at $500 (£408) per month. You can start the 14-day free trial from this link here.
13. ZenGRC
ZenGRC is a compliance management tool that allows you to break down the requirements of the GDPR into to-do lists. ZenGRC allows you to measure your overall compliance with the GDPR through a dashboard so you can make sure there are no gaps.
Key features:
- GDPR to-do lists
- Unified control management
- Risk management
- Alerts
Unified control management allows you to map the data controls you use in your company every day. This not only helps to comply with regulatory requirements but also allows you to discover vulnerabilities in your processes that leave your data vulnerable.
Risk management is something the platform does very well, with risk scores assigned to your environment and automated alerts that notify you about those risks. You can also generate custom reports to view a holistic perspective of any risks present throughout your environment.
ZenGRC is aimed at enterprises that want a simple tool for unifying compliance management. To view pricing information for the software you need to contact the company directly. You can try the demo from this link here.
14. Vigilant Software GDPR Manager
Vigilant Software GDPR Manager is a GDPR compliance software designed for data protection offers and data protection managers to help measure an organization’s compliance. The platform comes with a gap analysis tool that allows you to identify areas of non-compliance to see the actions that you can take to fix them.
Key features:
- Gap analysis
- Manage data subject access requests
- Report data breaches
- Monitor third-party processors
The software also offers features that allow you to comply with other requirements of the GDPR such as the ability to manage data subject access requests and report on data breaches. You can also monitor third-party processors that process your private data.
Vigilant Software GDPR Manager is a GDPR compliance solution that’s ideal for enterprises looking for a simpler tool to work toward fulfilling the requirements. Prices start at $61 (£49.95) per month. You can start the free trial from this link here.
Choosing GDPR Compliance Software: Top Picks
The GDPR has caused many companies a lot of anxiety ever since it was introduced. However, by taking a proactive approach you can reduce the change of non-compliance and ensure customer data is protected. Using GDPR compliance software like those listed in this article can help you to streamline your compliance strategy more efficiently.
The bottom line is that if your company has data taken from citizens in the EU, then you need to have clear processes in place to be able to protect that data, obtain consent to store that data, and respond to data breaches quickly.
For auditing, we recommend SolarWinds Access Rights Manager and Netwrix Auditor, or ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer for managing security concerns. On the other hand, if you want a tool that helps you to manage compliance tasks from a central location, tools like GDPR365 and LogicGate Risk Cloud can help to reduce the administrative challenges.
