DATA PROTECTION IMPACT ASSESSMENT (DPIA)

(State overlay: MA)

1. Project Overview

• Project name/ID: [name]; owner: [business owner]; sponsor: [executive].
• Purpose and objectives: [describe].
• Timeline and launch date: [dates].

2. Scope of Processing

• Data subjects: [customers/employees/vendors/end users].
• Personal data categories: [contact, IDs, financial, location, biometric, health, minors].
• Sensitive data (state definition): [list per state law if applicable]; lawful basis/consent requirements: [insert].
• Volume and retention: [records/year], [retention schedule and deletion triggers].
• Processing activities: [collection, storage, analysis, sharing/sale/sharing status].

3. Legal Basis, Notices, and Rights

• No comprehensive consumer privacy law. Massachusetts has breach notification + security requirements.
• Applicability: Persons/agencies owning/licensing PI of MA residents.
• Consumer rights: No mandated access, correction, deletion, or opt-out rights (apply federal laws).
• Primary compliance obligations: Breach notification (Ch. 93H) + Written Information Security Program/WISP (201 CMR 17.00).
• Security standard: REQUIRED WISP (comprehensive written information security program with admin/technical/physical safeguards, risk assessments, appointed security officer, employee training, breach documentation).

4. Data Flow and Transfers

• Source systems: [list]; storage/hosting locations: [cloud region/data centers].
• Cross-border transfers: [EU/UK/other]; transfer tool: [SCCs/IDTA/CBPR if applicable].
• Recipients/vendors: [processors/subprocessors/controllers]; due diligence status and DPAs in place.
• Access controls: RBAC groups, least privilege, joiner/mover/leaver process.

5. Security and Controls

• Technical controls: encryption in transit/at rest [specify], key management, network segmentation, endpoint protections, logging/monitoring, DLP, backups, vulnerability management.
• Organizational controls: policies, training cadence, vendor due diligence, incident response playbook, change management.
• Authentication/authorization: [MFA/SAML/SSO]; session timeouts; privileged access reviews cadence.

6. Risks and Impact Assessment

• Risks/threats: [unauthorized access, data minimization failure, purpose creep, profiling risk, transfer risk, children/minors risk].
• Likelihood: [low/medium/high]; Impact: [low/medium/high]; Risk rating matrix: [insert].
• POWR/State-specific equal employment or anti-discrimination considerations (if applicable): [insert].

7. Mitigations and Residual Risk

• Planned mitigations: [controls, timelines, owners].
• Testing/validation: [pen test, DPIA/ROPA updates, privacy-by-design checklist].
• Residual risk after mitigations: [rating]; decision: [accept/mitigate further/block].

8. Incident Response and Breach Notification

• Statute: Ch. 93H (breach notification); 201 CMR 17.00 (security requirements). Originally 2010, updated 2025.
• Timeline: As soon as practicable without unreasonable delay. Must notify AG + OCABR + affected residents.
• Credit monitoring: 18 months minimum free credit freeze/monitoring (42 months if CRA breach).
• Triggers: Unauthorized acquisition/use of unencrypted data (or encrypted + key) creating substantial risk of identity theft/fraud.
• Exception: Good-faith employee acquisition. Law enforcement delay permitted.
• Penalties: Up to $5,000 per affected individual. AG enforcement.
• Notice content: Nature of breach, number affected, steps taken/planned.
• Coordination with other states/GLBA/HIPAA requirements if multi-state: [plan].

9. State Overlay Checklist (MA) - Breach Notification + Security Requirements

• No comprehensive privacy law. Breach notification (Ch. 93H) + MANDATORY WISP (201 CMR 17.00).
• Applicability: Persons/agencies owning/licensing PI of MA residents.
• Sensitive data/Consumer rights: No mandated rights.
• Security: REQUIRED Written Information Security Program (WISP) - comprehensive program with admin/technical/physical safeguards, appointed security officer, employee training, risk assessments, breach documentation, disciplinary measures. One of strictest security laws in US.
• Breach notice: ASAP without unreasonable delay. Notify AG + OCABR + residents. 18-month minimum credit monitoring (42 months if CRA). Penalties up to $5K/individual.
• Children: COPPA compliance.
• DPA/ROPA: Not required by state law (but WISP mandatory).

10. Approvals and Accountability

• Privacy lead/DPO review: [name/date].
• Security review: [name/date].
• Legal review (state law overlay): [name/date].
• Business owner certification: [name/date].
• Executive approver: [name/title/date].

11. Attachments

• Data flow diagrams/architecture.
• Records of processing activities entry.
• Vendor list and DPAs/SCCs.
• Legitimate interests assessment or risk assessment (if applicable).
• Testing summaries and pen test reports (if applicable).
• State-specific notices/links and breach templates.