A Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) is a procedure used to evaluate the impact of certain processing operations on protecting personal data. It is carried out to minimize the risks posed by data processing and to ensure that all data protection requirements are met.
The data protection impact assessment (DSFA) is of key importance for several reasons:
Article 35(1) of the GDPR states that a DPIA is necessary where the proposed processing of personal data is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons (in particular, using new technologies, by virtue of their nature, their scope, their circumstances, and their purposes).
Article 35(7) of the GDPR states that a DSFA must include a systematic description of the intended processing operations, assessing the necessity and proportionality of the processing in relation to the purpose, and evaluating the risks to the rights and freedoms of the data subjects.
Our team of data protection experts has prepared a detailed guide on conducting a DSFA. From identifying data processing activities to documenting and reviewing your process, we'll walk you through it step-by-step.
The DPIA begins by identifying any processing activities that could pose a high risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals.
Assess the potential risks associated with these processing activities. Our experts will help you identify these risks and assess their consequences.
Develop measures to mitigate the identified risks. Our expert lawyers will assist you in selecting appropriate measures.
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The frequency of carrying out a data protection impact assessment depends on several factors, including the type of data processing, the occurrence of changes or new risks, and the privacy relevance of the processing. In general, it is advisable to review and update the DPIA on a regular basis.
Article 35(2) of the GDPR states that the "controller" shall conduct the DPIA. As a rule, the data controller is responsible for carrying out the data protection impact assessment and for involving the advice of the data protection officer, internal or external.
Failure to conduct a required data protection impact assessment can result in significant penalties under the GDPR, including fines of up to €10 million or 2% of the global annual turnover of the previous fiscal year, whichever is greater.
The DPIA usually consists of three main parts:
The data protection officer plays an essential role in the performance of the DPIA. He or she advises the controller or processor on how to conduct the DPIA, reviews the results, and ensures that the DPIA is conducted in compliance with the GDPR.
Not all companies are obliged to conduct a DPIA. The obligation to conduct a DPIA arises from Article 35 of the GDPR and only concerns processing operations that involve a high risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, in particular when using new technologies.
Although it is possible to perform a DPIA yourself, it is often advisable to consult a data protection law expert or a data protection officer due to the complexity of the requirements of the GDPR.
The GDPR provides a set of guidelines for conducting a DPIA. It is important that you familiarize yourself with these guidelines and incorporate them into your DPIA. In addition, consulting with an external data protection expert or data protection officer can help ensure compliance.