What if you could build privacy impact assessments that auto-generate tailored and actionable feedback?
PIAs are for upholding data security and privacy. They allow you to identify and address potential privacy concerns before they become problematic.
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3 reasons to use Pointerpro as a privacy impact assessment tool
The key purpose of a privacy impact assessment (PIA) is to systematically evaluate and manage the potential privacy risks associated with the collection, use, disclosure, and handling of personal information within an organization.
No matter what privacy impact assessment template you use, and no matter what context, these are the primary objectives of a PIA:
A privacy impact assessment (PIA) is closely tied to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) because it helps organizations follow the rules outlined in GDPR when handling people’s personal information.
GDPR sets the Rules: GDPR is a set of rules created to protect the privacy of individuals in the European Union (EU) regarding their personal data. It applies to all organizations active in the EU that collect, process, or store such data.
In the video below, Pointerpro Product Director Bruno takes a shot at explaining GDPR in layman’s terms.
A PIA, more specifically a privacy impact assessment template adapted to GDPR helps you follow the rules: When an organization wants to start a new project or process that involves handling people’s personal information, they use a PIA to assess and manage any potential risks to privacy. It helps them follow the rules and principles of GDPR.
In essence, a privacy impact assessment is a practical tool that organizations in the EU use to make sure they’re doing things the right way according to GDPR. It helps them be responsible custodians of people’s personal data, promoting both legal compliance and trust between the organization and individuals.
In the context of GDPR a privacy impact assessment is always referred to as a DPIA: a Data protection impact assessment. This article of the European Commission delves into when it’s required.
Though often used interchangeably, because both assessments share the goal of evaluating and managing privacy risks, there is a difference to note.
A PIA is a broader term used for assessments conducted to evaluate privacy implications in various contexts, while a DPIA is a more focused assessment required when processing activities, especially new technologies, are likely to result in high risks to individuals’ rights and freedoms.
A DPIA, as per GDPR, has specific criteria. These include assessing the necessity and proportionality of the processing, evaluating potential risks, and proposing mitigating measures. So in summary, while all DPIAs are PIAs, not all PIAs are DPIAs, as the latter is a more specialized form mandated by GDPR for high-risk data processing activities.
Here are 20 privacy impact assessment example questions divided into 2 well-known categories:
These privacy impact assessment template questions guide organizations in evaluating the privacy implications of their systems or projects and aligning with the principles outlined in the NIST Privacy Framework. The approach involves a systematic assessment of privacy risks, data protection measures, and ongoing compliance efforts to enhance privacy and cybersecurity practices, with a focus on flexibility and global applicability.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a U.S. federal agency that develops and promotes standards and guidelines to enhance the cybersecurity and privacy posture of organizations. NIST’s guidelines, particularly those outlined in documents such as the NIST Privacy Framework, provide a structured approach to managing privacy risks.
While GDPR is a European regulation focused on protecting individuals’ privacy rights, NIST offers a more general framework applicable globally. Both GDPR and NIST emphasize the importance of risk assessment, security measures, and ongoing compliance efforts, but they differ in their geographic scope and the level of specificity in their requirements. NIST provides a flexible framework that organizations worldwide can adopt to enhance their privacy practices and cybersecurity measures.
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