Our specialist team can provide direction on how to respond to a SAR and communicate with the data subject to yield the best results, whilst advising on exemptions and case law.
Subject Access Request (SAR) Support & Outsourced SAR Services UK
Handle SARs with confidence
Managing Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) can be complex, time-consuming, and high-risk. At GRC Hub, we simplify the process with expert SAR support and fully outsourced SAR services: helping you stay compliant, reduce internal burden, and deliver accurate, secure disclosures.
Outsourced SAR Services
Our approach
Handling your SARs Quickly, Confidently and Without Disruption
Automation and Software
We leverage advanced SAR software and automation tools to transform the Subject Access Request process from a manual, error-prone task into a streamlined, efficient workflow.
- Smart Deduplication: Our system identifies and removes exact duplicates and redundant email threads, ensuring only unique, relevant data is retained.
- Format Conversion: Native files are converted into a single, consolidated PDF format, ready for redaction and disclosure.
- Detailed Audit Trails: Every action is logged, providing full transparency and compliance-ready documentation for internal audits or regulatory checks.
- Scalable Processing: Whether handling a single SAR or hundreds, our solution scales effortlessly to meet demand without compromising accuracy or security.
- Secure Data Handling: All transfers and processing occur within encrypted environments, aligned with Cyber Essentials standards.
The Result: Faster SAR completion, reduced manual effort, and complete confidence in compliance: supported by expert guidance and best practice training.
Consultancy
Technology works best when paired with human expertise. Our outsourced SAR services combine automation with specialist oversight to ensure nothing is missed.
- Expert Oversight: Every SAR undergoes a detailed QA process, with consultants applying judgment beyond automated tools.
- Qualified Team: All consultants hold at least a BCS Foundation Certificate in Data Protection, operate under Cyber Essentials certification, and receive ongoing SAR-specific training.
- Risk Reduction: We help you achieve compliance efficiently, strengthen your security posture, and minimise exposure, so you can focus on growth with peace of mind.
The Result: A fully managed SAR process that blends technology and expertise, delivering accurate, secure, and timely responses while reducing risk and freeing your team to focus on strategic priorities.
Our Outsourced SAR Services
We follow a proven three stage process to ensure efficiency and compliance:
Our proven Approach
🔍Phase 1: Search Support
Practical guidance and live support for locating and extracting only relevant data. Reduce risk of over-disclosure and streamline subsequent steps.
đź§Phase 2: Conversion and Deduplication
Remove duplicates and convert raw files into redactable PDFs. Consolidate messy datasets into a clean, workable format.
🛡️Stage 3: Redaction & Disclosure
Manual redaction by certified professionals using specialist tools. Multi-layered quality assurance for accuracy and security.
Other SAR Services
Practical guidance and live support for locating and extracting only relevant data.
Reduce risk of over-disclosure and streamline subsequent steps
Our specialist DPO team will utilise specialist analyst software to map out your SAR process to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement, whilst assessing the compliance of your process.
We deliver SAR training for individuals and teams, including practical simulations and tailored sessions aligned to your organisation’s processes, ensuring staff are confident and compliant when handling requests.
GRC Hub – Your Trusted Outsourced Subject Access Request Partner
We don’t just deliver frameworks, we deliver measurable outcomes that strengthen compliance, resilience, and business growth.
Why Choose Our SAR Services?
Expert SAR Support:
We act as your dedicated partner for managing Subject Access Requests (SARs), ensuring full compliance with GDPR and UK Data Protection regulations.
Specialist SAR Process Mapping:
Our team works with you to design and implement a clear, efficient SAR workflow tailored to your organisation. From intake to disclosure, we map every step to reduce risk, improve transparency, and ensure deadlines are met.
Flexible Delivery Models:
Choose from outsourced SAR handling, consultancy-led SAR support, or a hybrid model that combines internal capability with external expertise.
Cost-Effective Expertise:
Access senior-level compliance knowledge and specialist SAR handling without the overhead of an in-house team.
Proactive Risk Management:
We manage the entire SAR lifecycle, including search, deduplication, conversion, and redaction, reducing risk and ensuring accuracy.
Specialist Tooling & Deduplication:
Our advanced SAR tools streamline data processing by removing duplicates, consolidating files, and converting native formats into a single, redactable PDF, making disclosure faster, cleaner, and fully auditable.
Data Protection
The GRC Hub team took time to understand how our society operates and the types of data we handle.
Through 1:1 meetings with key stakeholders, they gained detailed insight and offered guidance throughout. Their assessment clearly identified immediate risks using a RAG rating system, and the action plan was pragmatic and easy to follow. We commissioned GRC Hub to help implement high-risk priorities, and their assess–align–assure approach has worked well for us.
I’m confident we’ll maintain good practice standards with their ongoing support.
Your Outsourced SARs questions answered
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a Subject Access Request?
A Subject Access Request (SAR) is a data subject right, specifically the Right of Access under data protection law. It allows an individual (the data subject) to request confirmation and access to the personal data that a data controller processes about them.
Organisations typically process personal data relating to staff, customers, suppliers, and other individuals in compliance with applicable data protection regulations such as GDPR. Subject Access Requests can be made by employees, customers, or any data subject whose information is being processed.
Who is responsible for SARs?
Responsibility for managing SARs varies across organisations.
- Employee Requests: These are often managed by HR teams, as they typically involve access to HR files and employment records.
- External Requests: SARs from clients, patients, tenants, or other external parties are usually handled by customer-facing teams such as Customer Services, or by a dedicated Information Access or Data Protection team.
- Oversight: In all cases, the Data Protection Officer plays a key role in monitoring the process and providing expert guidance to ensure compliance and accuracy.
What are the trends with Subject Access Requests?
Subject Access Requests Are Increasing
Recent studies show a sharp rise in Subject Access Requests (SARs), creating significant compliance challenges for organisations.
The Data Use and Access Bill seeks to reduce this burden by introducing measures to streamline processes and ease administrative pressure on businesses.
At the same time, there has been a notable surge in external SARs, particularly those generated through AI-powered tools, which make submitting requests faster and more accessible for individuals. This trend highlights the need for robust SAR handling strategies and specialist support to manage complexity and maintain compliance.
Why Outsource SARs?
Subject Access Requests (SARs) are inherently unpredictable and difficult to forecast, making them challenging to resource internally. Peaks in demand can overwhelm teams, especially when expertise or capacity is limited.
Our outsourced SAR service is designed for organisations facing fluctuating volumes or lacking in-house capability. We provide a specialist, cost-effective solution that delivers fast, pragmatic, and results-driven processing, without the stress of managing everything yourself.
The result: You only invest when you need to, while gaining access to highly knowledgeable professionals who ensure compliance, accuracy, and peace of mind.
How much is your SAR Service?
The cost of the SAR service varies depending on the size of the native data (in GB) and the time we need to spend redacting, if you would like to learn more or get an idea of your options contact us.
What Sectors does your SAR service support?
GRC Hub is sector-agnostic, but we do have several core sectors we are specialists in.
Who would benefit from a Subject Access Request Service?
Most organisations, in particular those who receive fluctuating demands when it comes to SARs. However B2C organisations often receive lots of SARs.
GRC Hub is sector-agnostic, but we do have several core sectors we are specialists in.
How does your SAR Service differ from others
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- Specialist Tooling with Deduplication: Our technology removes duplicates, consolidates files, and converts data into redactable formats for faster, cleaner disclosure.
- Human Oversight & Quality Assurance: Every SAR is reviewed by certified professionals, ensuring accuracy beyond what automated tools can achieve.
- Compliance Confidence: Our team holds BCS Data Protection certifications and operates under Cyber Essentials standards, giving you peace of mind.
- Flexible Delivery: Outsourced SAR handling when you need it, no unnecessary overheads, just expert support on demand.
The result: A service that blends technology and expertise to deliver accurate, secure, and timely SAR responses, while reducing stress and cost.
Governance Risk & Compliance Hub LIMITED