The first thing to do when a data collection process is deemed to be a high-level risk is to conduct a privacy impact assessment (PIA). A PIA is a systematic process that identifies and evaluates the potential effects of personal data processing operations on the privacy of individuals and the organization. A PIA helps to identify privacy risks and mitigation strategies at an early stage of the data collection process and ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. A PIA also helps to demonstrate accountability and transparency to stakeholders and data subjects regarding how their personal data are collected, used, shared, stored, or deleted.
Performing a business impact analysis (BIA), implementing remediation actions to mitigate privacy risk, or creating a system of records notice (SORN) are also important steps for managing privacy risk, but they are not the first thing to do. Performing a BIA is a process of analyzing the potential impacts of disruptive events on the organization’s critical functions, processes, resources, or objectives. A BIA helps to determine the recovery priorities, strategies, and objectives for the organization in case of a disaster or crisis. Implementing remediation actions is a process of applying corrective or preventive measures to reduce or eliminate the privacy risks identified by the PIA or other methods. Remediation actions may include technical, organizational, or legal solutions, such as encryption, access control, consent management, or contractual clauses. Creating a SORN is a process of publishing a public notice that describes the existence and purpose of a system of records that contains personal data under the control of a federal agency. A SORN helps to inform the public about how their personal data are collected and maintained by the agency and what rights they have regarding their data.
References: Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) - European Commission, Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) | ICO, Privacy Impact Assessments | HHS.gov
