- Carry out impact analyses in compliance with the expectations of the French Data Protection Authority using a questionnaire based on the French Data Protection Authority’s PIA module
- Centralise all your PIAs by linking each of them to the associated personal data processing operations
- Manage your risks by having an overall view of the risks to your organisation and the security measures to be taken to reduce them
A Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) is a methodology introduced by the GDPR to analyse security risks associated with personal data that could compromise the rights and freedoms of data subjects.
This process ensures that any processing activity does not infringe upon individuals’ rights, freedoms, or privacy. It achieves this by assessing risks based on the nature of the data and its processing purposes. A PIA helps identify the necessary measures to maximize security.
The process of conducting a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) may vary in complexity depending on the specific circumstances, but it is generally manageable with the right approach and resources.
The PIA must be carried out before engaging in any processing activity.
Under the Data Protection Officer (DPO) supervision, the data controller is responsible for providing the legal justification for the processing activity. Additionally, they must identify and present the potential adverse consequences that may affect data subjects. Measures to mitigate these consequences should subsequently be developed and implemented. The feasibility of the processing activity is then assessed, considering whether the identified actions are sufficient to justify it.
This step becomes crucial when dealing with high-risk processing, especially in cases involving multiple actors, such as external processors or service providers outside the EU. It is also important for situations involving data transfers or sensitive data.
Even if the GDPR does not require a PIA in certain circumstances, conducting one is still considered the best practice.
