Strengthening privacy governance and fundamental rights compliance

Organisations increasingly rely on personal data, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and automated decision-making technologies to support business operations and innovation. As the use of these technologies expands, organisations must ensure that personal data is processed responsibly and that the potential impact on individuals' privacy, fundamental rights, and freedoms is effectively understood and managed. Strong privacy governance and responsible AI practices help organisations build trust, demonstrate accountability, and support the ethical use of technology.

Why data protection and responsible AI governance matter

Effective data protection and privacy governance extend beyond regulatory compliance. They help organisations establish clear accountability, manage risks associated with personal data and emerging technologies, and ensure that privacy and fundamental rights considerations are integrated into decision-making processes. By embedding appropriate governance, policies, controls, and oversight mechanisms, organisations can strengthen stakeholder confidence, support responsible innovation, and demonstrate a commitment to ethical and trustworthy business practices.

Key risk drivers include:

Increasing regulatory obligations

The GDPR, Maltese data protection legislation, and the EU AI Act place significant responsibilities on organisations to ensure lawful, transparent, and accountable processing of personal data. Organisations deploying high-risk AI systems may also be required to demonstrate that they have adequately assessed and mitigated potential impacts on fundamental rights and freedoms. Failure to meet these obligations can result in regulatory action, financial penalties, litigation risks, and reputational damage. 

Growing use of AI and automated decision-making

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in recruitment, customer onboarding, fraud detection, credit assessments, healthcare, and other critical business processes. While these technologies can improve efficiency, they may also create risks relating to fairness, discrimination, transparency, privacy, and accountability if not properly governed.

Increasing stakeholder expectations

Customers, employees, regulators, and business partners expect organisations to demonstrate responsible and ethical handling of personal data. Organisations that can evidence strong data protection governance and responsible AI practices are better positioned to build trust and maintain stakeholder confidence.

Evolving privacy and security threats

Cybersecurity incidents, personal data breaches, and inappropriate processing practices remain significant concerns across all sectors. Organisations must ensure that their privacy governance frameworks are sufficiently robust to identify, assess, and mitigate these risks before they materialise.

RSM Malta's data protection and FRIA services

RSM Malta helps organisations establish practical, risk-based privacy and governance frameworks that align with regulatory requirements while supporting business objectives. 

We assist organisations in:

We design and strengthen data protection governance frameworks, ensuring alignment with GDPR, local legislative requirements, industry best practices, and organisational objectives. This includes governance structures, policies, procedures, accountability mechanisms, and ongoing compliance monitoring. 

We can act as your Data Protection Officer, overseeing compliance activities, advising management, monitoring adherence to regulatory obligations, and serving as a point of contact with supervisory authorities. 

We assist organisations in conducting, reviewing, and documenting DPIAs and LIAs to identify risks to individuals' rights and freedoms and implement appropriate mitigation measures before new processing activities are launched. 

Where required under Article 27 of the EU AI Act, we support organisations in conducting comprehensive Fundamental Rights Impact Assessments for high-risk AI systems. Our assessments help organisations evaluate how AI systems may affect individuals' fundamental rights, identify potential risks, document mitigation measures, and demonstrate regulatory compliance. 

We perform independent reviews of privacy controls, governance arrangements, operational practices, and compliance frameworks to provide assurance that data protection obligations are being effectively managed. 

We assist with Records of Processing Activities (RoPA), privacy notices, data retention frameworks, vendor assessments, third-party processing reviews, and contractual data protection requirements to strengthen overall control environments.

We deliver tailored training programmes for boards, senior management, operational teams, and employees to promote a culture of privacy, accountability, and responsible AI governance. 

The RSM Malta Advantage

Cross functional expertise

Our teams combine data protection, regulatory compliance, governance, risk management, cybersecurity, and internal audit expertise to deliver holistic solutions.

Practical and proportionate solutions

We tailor our advice and assessments to your organisation's size, complexity, risk profile, and regulatory environment, ensuring compliance remains achievable and effective

Strong understanding of emerging regulation

We help organisations navigate evolving requirements under GDPR, the EU AI Act, Maltese data protection legislation, and related governance frameworks

Independent assurance and trusted advice

We deliver objective and risk-based assurance that supports effective oversight, strengthens accountability, and enhances stakeholder confidence. 

Strengthen your data protection framework with confidence

Understanding your current data protection and governance position is the first step towards building a robust compliance framework. We help organisations assess their existing practices, identify potential gaps, and implement effective governance, privacy, and compliance measures to meet evolving regulatory requirements and safeguard personal data.

Talk to our team

Dr Roberta Buhagiar
Director
RSM Malta