Data Protection Impact Assessment Template for United States

A Data Protection Impact Assessment helps organizations spot and manage privacy risks when handling sensitive personal information. Think of it as a detailed safety check required by the Philippine Data Privacy Act - especially before starting new projects or using technologies that might affect people's privacy rights.

Companies in the Philippines use these assessments to map out how they collect and process personal data, identify potential privacy threats, and create safeguards to protect individual rights. The National Privacy Commission recommends conducting DPIAs for activities like large-scale data processing, surveillance systems, or when handling sensitive information about health, finances, or children.

Consider doing a Data Protection Impact Assessment before launching any project that involves collecting or processing sensitive personal information in the Philippines. This includes implementing new HR systems, rolling out customer loyalty programs, or setting up surveillance cameras in public spaces.

The National Privacy Commission specifically requires DPIAs when processing biometric data, monitoring employee activities, handling children's information, or using automated decision-making systems. It's also essential when sharing data with third parties, moving information across borders, or introducing new technologies that might affect privacy rights. Getting ahead of these requirements helps avoid costly compliance issues later.

• Data Privacy Impact Assessment: Basic version focused on evaluating privacy risks in new projects or systems
• Data Protection Risk Assessment: Detailed analysis of security threats and vulnerabilities in existing operations
• Data Processing Impact Assessment: Specifically examines data handling procedures and third-party transfers
• Data Protection Impact Assessment Policy: Framework document outlining when and how to conduct assessments
• Data Breach Impact Assessment: Emergency evaluation tool for incident response and damage control

• Data Protection Officers: Lead the assessment process and ensure compliance with Philippine privacy laws
• IT Security Teams: Evaluate technical risks and implement recommended security measures
• Department Managers: Provide details about data processing activities within their units
• Legal Teams: Review assessments for compliance with DPA requirements and NPC guidelines
• External Consultants: Often help organizations conduct complex DPIAs for specialized projects
• Senior Management: Approve final assessments and allocate resources for risk mitigation
• National Privacy Commission: May request to review DPIAs during audits or investigations

• Project Scope: Map out all data processing activities, including data types, collection methods, and storage locations
• Risk Analysis: Document potential privacy threats and their likelihood of occurrence
• Data Flow Mapping: Create diagrams showing how personal information moves through your systems
• Stakeholder Input: Gather feedback from department heads about their data handling practices
• Security Measures: List existing safeguards and planned improvements
• Compliance Check: Review against NPC guidelines and DPA requirements
• Documentation: Compile evidence of consultations, risk assessments, and mitigation plans
• Review Process: Set up regular assessment updates and monitoring schedules

• Project Description: Detailed overview of data processing activities and their purpose
• Data Inventory: Complete list of personal information types being collected and processed
• Legal Basis: Citations of relevant DPA sections and NPC circulars authorizing the processing
• Risk Assessment Matrix: Systematic evaluation of privacy threats and their potential impact
• Security Measures: Technical and organizational safeguards implemented
• Data Flow Diagram: Visual representation of how information moves through systems
• Mitigation Strategy: Specific actions to address identified risks
• Review Schedule: Timeline for regular updates and reassessment
• Approval Section: Signatures from DPO and relevant stakeholders

A Data Protection Impact Assessment differs significantly from a Data Protection Policy in both scope and purpose. While they're often mentioned together in privacy compliance, they serve distinct functions in your organization's data protection framework.

• Purpose and Timing: DPIAs are project-specific evaluations conducted before new data processing activities, while a Data Protection Policy sets ongoing rules for all data handling
• Level of Detail: DPIAs dive deep into specific risks and mitigation strategies for particular projects, whereas policies provide broad guidelines and principles
• Update Frequency: DPIAs are created for each new high-risk processing activity, while policies typically only need annual reviews
• Legal Requirements: Under Philippine law, DPIAs are mandatory for high-risk processing, but policies are general compliance documents
• Audience Focus: DPIAs are primarily for internal risk assessment teams and regulators, while policies guide all employees and stakeholders