Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)
A Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) identifies, evaluates, and mitigates privacy risks associated with personal data processing to ensure compliance with global data protection laws.
What is a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)?
A Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) is a structured process used to analyze how data processing activities may affect individuals’ privacy. It helps organizations identify potential risks, evaluate their severity, and implement measures to reduce them. DPIAs are mandatory under the GDPR for processing operations that could pose high risks to individuals’ rights and freedoms.
The process involves assessing data flows, security measures, and legal bases for processing to ensure compliance and accountability. DPIAs also support other regulations such as the CPRA and emerging frameworks for AI governance.
Why Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) matter
DPIAs are essential for building trust, promoting transparency, and demonstrating regulatory compliance. Conducting DPIAs early in project planning helps organizations design privacy protections into products and systems by default.
Under the GDPR, a DPIA is required when data processing involves large-scale monitoring, profiling, or sensitive information. Completing these assessments demonstrates proactive risk management and accountability.
Beyond compliance, DPIAs strengthen internal governance by ensuring that privacy, security, and legal teams collaborate effectively to prevent risks before they occur.
How Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) are used in practice
- Identifying and evaluating high-risk data processing activities
- Mapping data flows and assessing legal bases for processing
- Documenting mitigation measures and residual risks for accountability
- Collaborating with privacy, legal, and security teams to review findings
- Integrating DPIAs with AI Impact Assessments (AIIAs) for emerging technologies
- Maintaining records of processing and submitting them to supervisory authorities when required
Related laws & standards
- EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA)
- ISO/IEC 27701 (Privacy Information Management)
- EU Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act)
How OneTrust helps with Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs)
OneTrust automates DPIA workflows to help organizations identify high-risk processing, document mitigation measures, and ensure compliance with global privacy requirements. The platform enables collaboration across teams and maintains audit-ready records for regulators.
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FAQs about Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs)
A DPIA is a specific type of Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) focused on personal data protection risks, while a PIA can include broader privacy or ethical considerations.
The Data Protection Officer (DPO), privacy team, or project owner typically conducts DPIAs with input from IT, security, and legal teams. The DPO oversees compliance with regulatory requirements.
A DPIA is required when data processing is likely to pose high risks to individuals’ rights, such as large-scale profiling, monitoring, or sensitive data use.
