Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)

Ensure GDPR Compliance and Mitigate Privacy Risks for Your Data Processing Activities

A Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) is a critical process required by the GDPR for high-risk data processing activities. Beyond compliance, a properly conducted DPIA helps identify and minimize data protection risks, optimize data processing activities, and demonstrate accountability to regulators. OffSeq delivers thorough, actionable DPIAs that safeguard your organization’s privacy practices and enhance trust with customers and stakeholders.

Understanding DPIA Requirements

When Is a DPIA Mandatory?

Under GDPR Article 35, a DPIA is required when processing is likely to result in a high risk to individuals, particularly in cases involving:

Systematic and extensive profiling with significant effects
Large-scale processing of special category data
Systematic monitoring of publicly accessible areas
Use of new technologies that significantly impact data subjects
Data processing that could prevent data subjects from exercising rights
Large-scale data matching or combining from multiple sources
Processing of data concerning vulnerable subjects
AI-based decision making with legal or similarly significant effects

The Cost of Non-Compliance

Organizations failing to conduct required DPIAs face:

Regulatory fines up to €10 million or 2% of global annual turnover
Enforcement notices requiring cessation of processing activities
Reputation damage and loss of customer trust
Potential data protection issues that could lead to breaches
Difficulty demonstrating accountability during investigations

Our DPIA Methodology

We follow a structured, comprehensive approach to data protection impact assessments that goes beyond compliance to deliver practical privacy improvements.

Comprehensive Assessment Process

Our structured approach follows regulatory guidance while delivering practical insights that address your specific business context.

Processing activity scoping and context establishment
Consultation with relevant stakeholders
Systematic description of processing operations
Assessment of necessity and proportionality
Identification and evaluation of risks to individuals
Identification of measures to address risks
Documentation of findings and recommendations
Implementation planning and monitoring framework

Practical and Actionable

We deliver more than regulatory compliance by focusing on practical risk mitigation and business-aligned recommendations.

Clear identification of privacy risks in business context
Practical recommendations aligned with your capabilities
Implementation roadmaps with prioritized actions
Documentation that satisfies regulatory requirements
Frameworks for ongoing monitoring and review

Service Components

Our structured four-phase methodology ensures thorough assessment and practical recommendations for privacy risk management.

Preparation and Scoping

We conduct focused consultations to understand processing activities, determine DPIA requirements, identify stakeholders and data flows, collect documentation, perform initial privacy threshold assessments, and establish project timelines. This foundation ensures the assessment addresses all relevant aspects of your data processing activities.

Assessment and Analysis

We create detailed processing documentation, develop data flow mapping, evaluate necessity and proportionality, verify legal basis, conduct systematic risk identification, perform controls evaluation, and consult with relevant stakeholders. This comprehensive analysis identifies all significant privacy risks within your processing activities.

Risk Treatment and Reporting

We develop targeted mitigation recommendations, conduct residual risk assessments, prepare comprehensive DPIA reports, create executive summaries, develop technical documentation, provide consultation guidance, and design implementation roadmaps. These deliverables provide clear guidance for addressing identified privacy concerns.

Implementation Support (Optional)

We assist with mitigation implementation, document implemented controls, verify effectiveness, establish monitoring frameworks, plan DPIA maintenance, and conduct follow-up assessments. This optional phase ensures privacy controls are properly implemented and validated for ongoing compliance.

DPIA Deliverables

Our DPIA service provides comprehensive documentation and supporting materials that satisfy regulatory requirements while enabling effective implementation.

Core Documentation

The complete DPIA report documents assessment findings in a regulatory-compliant format. An executive summary highlights key risks and priorities for leadership review. Data flow diagrams visualize how information moves through your systems. The risk register tracks issues with assessment scores and specific mitigations. Legal compliance analysis demonstrates adherence to GDPR principles and requirements.

Supporting Materials

The implementation roadmap outlines specific actions in priority order. Technical control recommendations address system-specific requirements. Policy recommendations establish ongoing privacy governance frameworks. Data subject information templates fulfill transparency obligations. Prior consultation documentation supports regulatory review when needed. A structured monitoring framework maintains compliance as systems evolve.

Service Options

We offer flexible engagement models tailored to different organizational needs and processing complexity.

Standard assessment for single processing activity
Core documentation package
Basic implementation recommendations
Compliance verification
Review guidance

Detailed assessment of complex processing activities
Full documentation with supporting materials
Technical and procedural recommendations
Stakeholder consultation support
Implementation planning assistance
30-day post-delivery support

Popular

Integrated assessment for multiple related processing activities
Comprehensive privacy program recommendations
Detailed technical specifications for controls
Implementation workshops and planning
Effectiveness verification
90-day implementation support
Ongoing monitoring framework

Business Benefits

Our DPIA services deliver tangible advantages that enhance your privacy posture while supporting business objectives.

Risk Reduction

Identify and address privacy risks before they result in breaches, complaints, or regulatory actions.

Optimized Data Processing

Refine data collection and processing to focus on necessary elements, improving efficiency and minimizing risk.

Privacy by Design

Integrate data protection principles into processing activities from the outset, reducing costly redesign requirements.

Regulatory Compliance

Satisfy GDPR requirements with thorough documentation that demonstrates accountability to supervisory authorities.

Public Trust

Demonstrate commitment to data protection, enhancing reputation with customers, partners, and stakeholders.

Ready to Ensure Your Data Processing Complies with GDPR?

Don’t risk non-compliance or privacy failures. Contact OffSeq today to conduct a professional DPIA that protects your organization and your data subjects.

Why Choose OffSeq for Your DPIA

GDPR Expertise

Our team includes certified data protection specialists with deep understanding of GDPR requirements and supervisory authority guidance.

Technical Insight

We combine legal knowledge with technical expertise to provide practical recommendations for complex systems.

Risk-Based Approach

Our methodology balances compliance requirements with practical risk management, focusing resources where they deliver the greatest protection.

Case Studies

Real-world examples demonstrating how our DPIA services help organizations implement privacy-compliant systems and processes.

Marketing Firm Launches Compliant Analytics Platform

A digital marketing company engaged OffSeq to conduct a DPIA for their new customer behavior analytics platform. Our assessment identified several high-risk data processing elements and provided specific recommendations for privacy controls.

Result: By implementing these measures before launch, the company avoided regulatory issues while still achieving their business intelligence objectives.

Healthcare Provider Implements Patient Portal

A healthcare organization required a DPIA for their new patient data access portal. OffSeq’s assessment revealed several previously unidentified data protection risks and provided targeted recommendations for risk mitigation.

Result: The implemented controls not only ensured GDPR compliance but also enhanced security against potential breaches.

Financial Services Company Adopts AI Technology

A financial services provider needed a DPIA for their new AI-based credit scoring system. OffSeq’s assessment highlighted significant risks related to automated decision-making and provided specific recommendations for ensuring fairness, transparency, and data subject rights.

Result: The resulting implementation satisfied regulatory requirements while preserving the business benefits of the technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about Data Protection Impact Assessments and how they help ensure GDPR compliance for high-risk processing activities.

How do we know if our processing requires a DPIA?

How long does a DPIA typically take?

When in the project lifecycle should we conduct a DPIA?

What if our DPIA identifies high residual risks?

How often should we update our DPIA?

Can a DPIA cover multiple processing activities?