What is the main purpose of a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA)?

The main purpose of a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) is to determine if Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is properly safeguarded in an IT system. Conducting a PIA involves evaluating how data is collected, used, stored, and shared, and it seeks to identify any privacy risks associated with the handling of PII. By systematically examining potential impacts on privacy, organizations can implement measures to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with privacy regulations and standards. Thus, the PIA serves as a critical tool for organizations to protect individuals’ privacy rights and foster trust by demonstrating their commitment to safeguarding sensitive information.

The other options do not directly relate to the primary focus of a PIA. Establishing user access rights pertains more to the principles of identity and access management, assessing disaster recovery strategies relates to business continuity and resiliency planning, and configuring network security protocols is focused on safeguarding the technical infrastructure rather than specifically addressing privacy concerns.