Privacy Impact Assessment Template ( Free Download)

A Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) is a critical tool for organizations to identify and minimize privacy risks when handling personal data. Whether you’re launching a new app, implementing HR software, or expanding into new markets, conducting a PIA ensures compliance with laws like GDPR, CPRA, and Nigeria’s NDPA — while also building trust with customers.

To help you get started, we’ve created a free, ready-to-use Privacy Impact Assessment Template (downloadable PDF) that you can adapt to your business.

Why Use a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA)?

• Identify risks early before a breach happens.
• Ensure compliance with global and local privacy laws.
• Protect customer trust by demonstrating accountability.
• Simplify audits and regulatory reviews.

Example: A fintech startup launching a new mobile wallet in Nigeria used a PIA to identify potential risks around biometric data collection and avoid NDPA compliance issues.

What’s Inside the PIA Template?

Section	Purpose
Project Overview	Define the system, product, or process under review.
Data Collection	List types of personal data collected and why.
Legal Basis	Document lawful grounds for processing (e.g., consent, contract).
Data Flow Mapping	Show how data moves across systems, vendors, and regions.
Risk Assessment	Identify risks to individuals’ rights and freedoms.
Mitigation Measures	Outline controls like encryption, access restrictions, or anonymization.
Stakeholder Review	Capture inputs from legal, IT, compliance, and business teams.
Approval & Sign-off	Assign accountability and formally approve.

Preview of the PIA Template

1. Project Information

• Project Name: __________________________
• Department/Owner: ______________________
• Date: __________________________

2. Description of Processing

• What personal data will be collected?
• For what purpose?
• Who will access it?

3. Risk Identification

• Unauthorized access
• Data breach
• Non-compliance with privacy laws

4. Risk Mitigation

• Technical controls: Encryption, MFA, firewalls
• Organizational controls: Policies, staff training

5. Review & Approval

• Data Protection Officer: _____________________
• Legal Department: __________________________
• Sign-off Date: ______________________________

FAQs

1. Who should use this PIA template?
Any organization that collects or processes personal data — especially those in finance, healthcare, education, or tech.

2. Is the template compliant with GDPR and NDPA?
Yes. The structure aligns with both GDPR requirements (Article 35) and Nigeria’s NDPA (2023).

3. Can SMEs use this template?
Absolutely. It’s designed to be scalable for small businesses while still useful for large enterprises.

4. Do regulators require a PIA?
Yes, GDPR and NDPA require a PIA for high-risk data processing activities (e.g., biometrics, profiling, large-scale monitoring).

Download Your Free Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) Template

or Use this copy Download the PIA Template (PDF)

This template is editable and can be adapted to any organization, regardless of size or sector.