Case Study: CSC Strengthens Data Privacy with Measurable Results
Overview
Two growing businesses, one in retail healthcare and the other in e-commerce and manufacturing, faced mounting pressure from evolving privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA. They needed practical support to understand their responsibilities and strengthen privacy practices, especially around sensitive data like prescriptions and health information.
The Challenge
Both organizations recognized that data privacy was becoming mission-critical, but lacked:
In-house expertise to interpret and implement complex regulations.
Clear privacy controls and ownership across departments.
Confidence in prior consulting work, one client had a disappointing experience with a third-party assessment that lacked clarity and actionability.
They needed a reliable, knowledgeable partner to assess, explain, and guide them toward compliance and maturity.
The Solution: Practical, Framework-Driven Guidance
Clark Schaefer Consulting (CSC) stepped in with a hands-on, advisory approach using the NIST Privacy Framework, a trusted model built on 100+ actionable controls.
Key steps included:
Gap assessments to evaluate existing privacy lifecycle processes.
Plain-language explanations of technical legal requirements.
Identification of control owners to build accountability across teams.
Tailored recommendations based on each company’s size, structure, and readiness.
Even with remote work constraints during the pandemic, the consulting team kept momentum strong through:
Virtual walkthroughs using FaceTime to assess physical privacy practices.
Regular virtual check-ins and workshops to keep stakeholders aligned.
Clear, ongoing reporting to support transparency and drive progress.
Measurable Progress and Strategic Wins
Client 1 (Retail Healthcare)
Annual Privacy Roadmap Created: Used the initial assessment as a baseline to measure year-over-year maturity growth.
Ongoing Retainer: Chose to continue working with CSC as a long-term privacy partner.
100% of departments now have clearly assigned privacy owners.
Client 2 (E-commerce & Manufacturing)
50+ privacy gaps identified and addressed.
Compliance clarity achieved: Leadership now has a firm grasp of where the organization stands regarding GDPR and CCPA risks.
Actionable privacy roadmap developed, even before the engagement’s conclusion.
Shared Value Across Both Clients
Confidence in decision-making: Executives now make strategic choices with a full understanding of privacy risks and obligations.
Increased privacy literacy: Staff at all levels gained clarity on roles, responsibilities, and terminology.
Ongoing strategic support: CSC remains a trusted advisor beyond the initial project.
"Unlike other consultants who vanished after their report, Clark Schaefer stayed involved and helped us understand why and how to make improvements."
The Lasting Impact
Thanks to CSC, both organizations are now:
Better equipped to respond to future regulatory changes.
More strategic in managing data and privacy risk.
Confident in their ability to protect sensitive information while continuing to grow.
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