Figaro Group DPO: Bénédicte Wautelet's Experience with Adequacy
As Legal Director and DPO of the Figaro Group, Bénédicte Wautelet treated GDPR as a business project as early as 2017 and launched a tender to equip its BUs and subsidiaries for compliance. She selected Adequacy for two key advantages: an off-the-shelf tool natively designed for GDPR, and deployment supported by consultants, including for completing data processing records. She discusses the benefits of the SaaS model, the trusting relationship built with the teams to train its ambassadors and integrate acquired companies, the complementary profiles of Adequacy, and shares her vision of a DPO who is operational, technical, and legal, poised to expand their role towards compliance with a true business twist and a 360-degree vision.
In what context did you choose a GDPR software like Adequacy?
As a media group, even before its entry into force, we understood that GDPR would profoundly redefine how we collected and processed data, and that it was imperative for us to address this issue without delay. We therefore tackled this problem as early as 2017, treating it from the outset as a business project. Consequently, we quickly realized that we would need assistance for each of our BUs and subsidiaries to complete their processing records.
We therefore launched a call for tenders as early as 2017, to see which players were present on the market and what offers were available.
Adequacy was chosen for two major advantages: it was an off-the-shelf tool, natively designed for GDPR management on the one hand, and on the other hand, its deployment could be supported by consultant teams who intervened on aspects of organization, tool operation, and also from an operational perspective, as they helped us complete all of our processing records. This was very important to us because we knew we didn't have the bandwidth to do everything ourselves.
What benefits do you derive from the Adequacy GDPR solution?
It offers comfort and security: the fact that it's SaaS relieves us of the responsibility of managing and evolving it. Furthermore, the trusting relationship built with Adequacy over all these years is invaluable. We rely on Adequacy's guidance and regularly call upon their teams to train our ambassadors or, as is often the case, to integrate new companies recently acquired by the group.
The tool is functional, agile, and flexible, allowing it to adapt to rapidly evolving laws and regulations.
What do you consider to be Adequacy's teams' greatest strength?
I truly appreciate the complementary nature of Adequacy's teams, led by Christian des Lauriers, who has a very macro view of our needs and knows our group well, having been with us for a long time; Alessandro Fiorentino, the solution's product owner, who is highly knowledgeable on the subject; and of course, their network of consultants whom we can call upon for specific needs.
I find the webinars they regularly organize, and which my DPO legal team regularly attends, to be very valuable. We have also implemented ad hoc training sessions with the teams at our premises, to train and engage our network of over thirty ambassadors.
Finally, on a more personal note, I particularly appreciate the opportunity to meet and exchange with peers during exclusive events organized by Adequacy for the user community.
What is your vision for the DPO of tomorrow, balancing GDPR and compliance?
It seems to me that the DPO function is all the more crucial in a company heavily invested in the digital sector.
In my opinion, the DPO of a company where data is central fulfills a role that encompasses operational, technical, and legal dimensions.
To do this, the DPO must truly put themselves in the shoes of each business unit, understand its business, its operations, how it sells, its tools, and how they work. This is both interesting and very demanding.
In terms of evolution, I've noticed that DPO profiles are easier to recruit for broader compliance roles. GDPR and compliance are, of course, different areas but share common ground that requires a deep understanding of the company, a business twist, and a 360-degree vision.
FAQ - Groupe Figaro DPO testimonial and GDPR software
Why did Groupe Figaro choose Adequacy for its GDPR compliance?
The group launched a call for tenders in 2017 and selected Adequacy for two key strengths: an off-the-shelf tool natively designed for GDPR management, and deployment supported by consultants who assist with organization, tool operation, and filling out processing records.
What are the benefits of SaaS GDPR software for a media group?
SaaS mode removes the burden of managing and evolving the tool. It offers convenience and security, further enhanced by a long-term trusting relationship with the teams, who are engaged to train ambassadors and integrate newly acquired companies into the group. The tool, functional and flexible, adapts to rapidly changing regulations.
How does Adequacy support its clients beyond the tool?
Through the complementary expertise of its teams – Christian des Lauriers for the macro vision, Alessandro Fiorentino as product owner, and a network of consultants available as needed – as well as through regular webinars, training sessions ad hoc and peer-to-peer meetings within the user community.
What is Bénédicte Wautelet's vision for the DPO of tomorrow?
In a company where data is central, the DPO fulfills an operational, technical, and legal role, which requires understanding the business of each BU. DPO profiles are increasingly recruited for broad compliance functions, a field distinct from GDPR but sharing the requirement to understand the company, with a business twist and a 360-degree view.
