Training Module
Privacy Risk & Impact Assessment (DPIA)
Assess privacy risks, reason about impacts, and document DPIAs within an ISO/IEC 27701-aligned PIMS
Training module overview
ISO/IEC 27701 sets explicit requirements for privacy risk assessment and treatment within a PIMS and is no longer dependent on ISO/IEC 27001 certification. In practice, organisations struggle less with “doing a DPIA” than with making the assessment logic repeatable: consistent triggers, defensible impact reasoning, documented assumptions, and clear decision rights for residual risk.
This module focuses on DPIA logic as a management-system capability in a PIMS: structuring assessments, reasoning about impacts on individuals, linking outcomes to treatment decisions, and keeping assessments current as processing changes. It does not teach privacy fundamentals, scoping/role determination, operational privacy controls, or data subject rights execution; those are addressed in adjacent specialisation modules. It also does not re-teach generic risk methodology (scales, scoring models, risk appetite design), which is owned by Risk Management Foundations.
Applicable environments
This module applies to organisations implementing or operating a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) in line with ISO/IEC 27701. It focuses on how the standard’s requirements are interpreted and applied in practice within real organisational contexts.
The content is relevant for organisations seeking certification as well as for those using ISO/IEC 27701 as a reference framework to structure responsibilities, processes, and controls in the data protection domain.
Target audience
People involved in implementing, operating, or improving a PIMS aligned with ISO/IEC 27701
Executives and department heads accountable for the effectiveness and performance of a PIMS
Those responsible for processes, policies, IT systems, risks, and controls related to data protection
Auditors of ISO/IEC 27701 who want to deepen their understanding of management-side best practices (not audit technique)
Decision support
Is this module for you?
It is a good fit if you…
need a repeatable DPIA logic rather than ad-hoc assessments.
want clear triggers, roles, and decision ownership for DPIAs.
need defensible impact reasoning for approval and acceptance decisions.
want DPIAs to stay current as processing and systems change.
support audit-ready, consistent DPIA governance in a PIMS.
If most of the points above apply, this module is likely a good fit.
It may not be the best fit if you…
are looking for privacy fundamentals or legal theory.
want a generic risk methodology or scoring model.
expect detailed guidance on technical privacy controls.
already run stable, well-embedded DPIA processes at scale.
Agenda
Where privacy risk assessment sits in a PIMS
Assessment boundaries and inputs
Trigger logic: when a DPIA-style assessment is needed
Defining the assessment unit
Impact reasoning focused on individuals
Likelihood reasoning in privacy terms
Treatment logic and residual risk decisions
DPIA documentation pack and traceability
Technology as an enabler
Case-based workshop
Show detailed agenda...
Learning outcomes
Key outcomes
Explain how ISO/IEC 27701:2025 expects privacy risk assessment and treatment to function within a PIMS
Define DPIA trigger logic and proportionality rules that apply consistently across the organisation
Structure DPIA-style assessments around real processing activities with shared services and suppliers
Additional capabilities
Apply a disciplined approach to impact reasoning on individuals and document assumptions transparently
Translate assessment outcomes into clear treatment decisions and residual risk acceptance criteria
Produce a maintainable DPIA documentation pack with traceability and review triggers so DPIAs stay current
Additional benefits
Learning materials
Slide deck
Participant workbook
Templates & tools
Practical, reusable artefacts to apply the module directly to your organisation.
DPIA trigger & triage decision tree
DPIA / privacy risk assessment template
Impact reasoning worksheet
Risk-to-treatment traceability matrix
DPIA review & change trigger checklist
Supporting AI prompt set
Confirmation
Certificate of completion
Module ID
HAM-DP-S-02
Discipline
ISO clause
6: Planning
Audience
Manager
Languages
English
Delivery
Live virtual
Duration
7 h
List price
CHF 550
Excl. VAT. VAT may apply depending on customer location and status.
Delivery & learning format
Virtual live teaching
This module is delivered live, with a strong focus on discussion, practical application, and direct interaction with the instructor.
Sessions work through realistic examples, clarify concepts in context, and apply methods directly to participants’ organisational realities.
Custom delivery options
For organisations with specific constraints or learning objectives, the module can be adapted in format or scope, including in-house delivery and contextualised case material.
For an optimal learning experience
Preparation guidance
This module is designed as part of a modular training approach. Topics are deliberately distributed across modules and are not repeated in full, in order to avoid unnecessary redundancy. Each module is self-contained and can be taken on its own. Where prior knowledge or experience is helpful, this is indicated below so you can decide whether any preparation is useful for you.
Assumed background
This module assumes participants already have:
Working understanding of core privacy concepts (PII, processing purposes, recipients, retention, lawful handling concepts)
Familiarity with how their organisation documents processing activities and changes (even if imperfect)
Basic management system literacy (roles, documented information, governance routines)
Preparatory modules
Foundational modules (depending on background)
Useful if you are new to the underlying concepts or want a shared baseline before attending this module.
