Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) are a core requirement under the UK GDPR, yet many organisations still struggle with one key question: when is a DPIA actually required? That's why we've developed a free DPIA template to support organisations when introducing new projects, systems and technologies.
Often seen as a compliance formality, DPIAs are sometimes completed too late or not at all. In reality, they’re intended to identify and mitigate risks before processing begins, particularly where ‘high-risk’ processing is involved.
As organisations adopt AI, automation and data-driven systems across their operations, the question of when a DPIA is required is becoming increasingly important. Where those systems have access to personal data (whether relating to customers, suppliers, employees or other individuals), organisations should treat that use as a potential high-risk processing activity and undertake a DPIA before implementation.
