DataGuard is a strong compliance platform combining software with DPO services for over 4,000 organizations. Some tech companies find they want a dedicated human DPO who owns their privacy program end-to-end, without platform lock-in. That’s when they switch to Engage Compliance.

Key takeaways

  • DataGuard is a strong provider for companies wanting a software platform with DPO support
  • Common reasons for switching: wanting a dedicated person instead of a platform, no software lock-in, tech industry specialization, or transparent pricing
  • Many companies keep DataGuard (or similar) for security certifications and add Engage for privacy

Common reasons companies switch

They want a person, not a platform.

DataGuard leads with software. Some companies want a senior human DPO who proactively manages their privacy program, fills out vendor questionnaires, and is available for ad-hoc questions. Not a dashboard they log into.

They don’t need the security bundle.

DataGuard bundles ISO 27001 with privacy. If you already use Vanta or Drata for security certifications and only need DPO and privacy services, you may be paying for bundled features you don’t use.

They want no platform lock-in.

Proprietary platforms can mean your documentation and workflows live inside the vendor’s system. If you leave, migration can be complex. We work with whatever tools you already use.

They need tech industry specialization.

DataGuard serves all industries. We work exclusively with tech companies: SaaS, HealthTech, Fintech, AI, e-Commerce, HR Tech.

They want transparent pricing.

Advisory From €500 per month. DPO Essentials From €2,000 per month. DPO Premium From €5,000 per month. No waiting for a custom quote.

How switching works

  1. We review your existing documentation and compliance state
  2. We onboard within 1-2 weeks
  3. We update the DPO contact details with the relevant supervisory authority (where applicable)
  4. Your team gets a single new point of contact for everything privacy-related

Most transitions complete within 2-4 weeks with no disruption to your compliance posture.

Criterion Engage Compliance DataGuard
Approach Human-led DPO who owns your privacy program end-to-end Software platform combining software with DPO services
Security bundle Privacy-only services; works alongside your existing security tools (Vanta, Drata) Bundles ISO 27001 with privacy
Platform lock-in No proprietary platform; works with whatever tools you already use Proprietary platform; documentation and workflows live inside vendor's system
Industry focus Exclusively tech companies: SaaS, HealthTech, Fintech, AI, e-Commerce, HR Tech Serves all industries
Pricing Transparent pricing: Advisory From €500 per month, DPO Essentials From €2,000 per month, DPO Premium From €5,000 per month Custom-scoped pricing for bundled security + privacy
Client scale Our senior team has served as DPO for 100+ companies including Amazon, Coinbase, and Robinhood. 4,000+ clients, larger team

Approach

Engage Compliance

Human-led DPO who owns your privacy program end-to-end

DataGuard

Software platform combining software with DPO services

Security bundle

Engage Compliance

Privacy-only services; works alongside your existing security tools (Vanta, Drata)

DataGuard

Bundles ISO 27001 with privacy

Platform lock-in

Engage Compliance

No proprietary platform; works with whatever tools you already use

DataGuard

Proprietary platform; documentation and workflows live inside vendor's system

Industry focus

Engage Compliance

Exclusively tech companies: SaaS, HealthTech, Fintech, AI, e-Commerce, HR Tech

DataGuard

Serves all industries

Pricing

Engage Compliance

Transparent pricing: Advisory From €500 per month, DPO Essentials From €2,000 per month, DPO Premium From €5,000 per month

DataGuard

Custom-scoped pricing for bundled security + privacy

Client scale

Engage Compliance

Our senior team has served as DPO for 100+ companies including Amazon, Coinbase, and Robinhood.

DataGuard

4,000+ clients, larger team

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Will switching cause a compliance gap?

No. We ensure continuity during the transition. If DataGuard is not your formal DPO and you're keeping them for security while switching to Engage for privacy, there may be no DPO transition needed.

Can I keep DataGuard for security and use Engage for privacy?

Yes. This is a common setup. DataGuard handles ISO 27001 and security compliance, Engage handles DPO and privacy compliance. The two work well together.

Is Engage as established as DataGuard?

DataGuard has more clients (4,000+ reported) and a larger team. Engage's advantage is depth of individual expertise and tech specialization: we have served as DPO for 100+ organizations, including Fortune 10 and Fortune 500 companies and high-growth tech.

How does pricing compare?

DataGuard uses custom-scoped pricing for bundled security + privacy. Engage publishes transparent pricing for privacy services: Advisory From €500 per month, DPO Essentials From €2,000 per month, DPO Premium From €5,000 per month. See our DPO Cost Guide.