Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)
Assess higher-risk processing before privacy risk becomes an operational problem.
We take the assessment through to a documented decision before implementation, including whether the processing can proceed, needs additional safeguards, should be redesigned or requires further review.
REGULATORY BASIS
KSA PDPL Article 22 and Implementing Regulation Article 25
OPERATING FOCUS
Scope, necessity, Data Subject risk, safeguards, residual risk and approval
OUTCOME
A documented DPIA supporting the decision on whether and how the processing proceeds
TYPICAL TRIGGERS
Bring this DPO service into the workflow when these events occur.
Each trigger can create a new privacy decision, control requirement or evidence obligation that should be assessed and retained.
01
Sensitive Data processing
02
Combining Personal Data from multiple sources
03
Continuous or large-scale processing
04
Automated decision-making
05
Monitoring Data Subjects
05
Processing likely to cause serious harm
WHY IT MATTERS
Bring higher-risk processing into review while the design can still change.
We assess the proposed processing before implementation so the organisation can reduce unnecessary Personal Data use, strengthen safeguards, change the design or stop the activity where the residual risk cannot be justified. The output is a documented decision linked to the actual risks to Data Subjects and the controls required to address them.
WHAT DPO ARABIA DELIVERS
Turn higher-risk processing into a documented privacy decision.
The service connects DPIA screening, processing context, Data Subject risk, safeguards and residual risk into one assessment that can support a clear approval decision.
01
DPIA trigger & scoping assessment
Determine whether the proposed or changed processing requires a DPIA and define the activity, systems, Personal Data, Data Subjects and parties within scope.
02
Processing necessity & purpose assessment
Document why the processing is proposed, how it supports the intended purpose and whether the design uses Personal Data appropriately.
03
Data Subject risk assessment
Identify how the processing could affect individuals, including the nature, likelihood and severity of potential harm.
04
Safeguard & mitigation design
Define technical, organisational and privacy controls that reduce the identified risks.
05
Residual-risk & approval decision
Assess the remaining risk after safeguards and document whether the activity can proceed, requires further action or should be redesigned.
06
DPIA record & reassessment governance
Retain the approved assessment, actions, ownership, decision and triggers requiring future review.
HOW WE WORK
Move from a higher-risk processing trigger to a documented decision.
The four-stage workflow keeps the trigger, processing assessment, safeguards and final decision connected in one evidence trail.
01
DPIA Trigger & scope
Determine why the DPIA is required and document the proposed processing, purpose, Personal Data, Data Subjects, systems and involved parties.
02
Assess the processing
Evaluate necessity, context and the potential impact of the processing on Data Subjects.
03
Define safeguards
Identify technical, organisational and privacy controls and assess how they reduce the identified risks.
04
Decide & evidence
Document residual risk, required actions, approval conditions and the final decision, then retain the DPIA for reassessment when the processing changes.
EVIDENCE YOU RETAIN
Keep the DPIA decision, risk assessment and safeguards together.
The evidence set shows why the assessment was required, how the processing and Data Subject risks were evaluated, what safeguards apply and what decision the Controller reached.
KSA PDPL REGULATORY CONTEXT
Connect the DPIA decision to the regulatory requirements for impact assessment.
We use the KSA PDPL impact-assessment obligation and the Implementing Regulation’s trigger scenarios, minimum assessment content and reassessment expectations to determine when a DPIA is required and what the assessment must evidence.
Saudi PDPL Article 22 – Mandatory Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA)
Requires the Controller to conduct an impact assessment of Personal Data Processing relating to products or services based on the nature of the activity and the applicable Regulations.
PDPL Implementing Regulation Article 25 – Impact Assessment (DPIA)
Defines when a written DPIA is required and the minimum assessment content, including processing purpose, scope, context, necessity, Data Subject impact, risks and safeguards.
RELATED DPO GUIDE
Need a practical method for deciding when and how to conduct a DPIA?
PDPL OPERATIONS
When and How to Conduct a DPIA
USE WHEN: screening higher-risk processing and carrying a DPIA through assessment, safeguards and approval.
RELATED PDPL OPERATIONS SERVICES
Connect the DPIA decision into the wider Data Protection Officer (DPO) Office.
Where the requirement extends beyond this service, we connect the work to the related services that support legal-basis assessment, processing visibility and transparency before higher-risk processing is implemented.
01
LEGAL BASIS
Legitimate Interest Assessment (LIA)
We document necessity, impact and balancing before relying on Legitimate Interest for the relevant processing.
02
PROCESSING RECORD
Record of Processing Activities (RoPA)
We maintain the processing inventory that supports decisions, controls and evidence across the DPO Office.
03
TRANSPARENCY
Privacy Notices
We keep Data Subjects informed about the relevant processing, purposes, disclosures and rights.
NEXT STEP
Need a Data Protection Impact Assessment as a focused service or part of your DPO Office?
Share the proposed or changed processing, business purpose and any existing screening or risk information. We can conduct the DPIA as a focused engagement or connect it to the wider PDPL Operations support you need.