XpertDPO provides specialist Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) support for organisations facing complex, high-risk, or regulator-mandated processing activities involving personal data, AI systems, stakeholder engagement, and third-party vendors across Ireland, the EU, and the UK.
High-risk DPIAs demand expert, defensible assessments.
In-house teams struggle with DPIA complexity.
AI and vendor risks embedded into every DPIA.
Be prepared for supervisory authority scrutiny.
Regulator findings and audit failures demand rapid DPIA remediation.
DPIAs are more than a formality, they are critical governance tools.
Why Leading Organisations Choose XpertDPO for DPIA Support
Our DPIA support service helps organisations manage GDPR Data Protection Impact Assessments confidently, providing regulator-facing DPIA leadership, AI governance expertise, full data flow and vendor risk mapping, and defensible, audit-ready documentation for even the most complex or high-risk processing activities.
Our difference:
Led by experienced, regulator-facing Data Protection Officers (DPOs)
Every DPIA engagement is led by qualified DPOs with direct supervisory authority engagement experience. We produce GDPR-compliant DPIAs designed to withstand scrutiny from data protection regulators across Ireland, the EU, and the UK.
Cross-functional expertise: Legal, AI Governance, Security, and Vendor Risk
Unlike single-discipline advisors, our DPIA service combines legal GDPR compliance, AI-specific risk assessments, cybersecurity controls evaluation, and third-party vendor risk management. This integrated approach delivers comprehensive risk analysis for complex processing activities.
Technical risk mapping based on actual data flows and processing architecture
We collaborate directly with your IT, security, and managed service teams to map real-world data flows, system integrations, and security controls. Our DPIA risk assessments are based on your live processing environment, not generic templates.
AI risk assessments aligned with EU AI Act, OECD, and ALTAI frameworks
Emerging AI governance obligations require specialised risk evaluation. Our DPIA process incorporates AI-specific risk scoring aligned with the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, OECD AI Principles, and ALTAI ethical AI risk frameworks.
Integrated Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) for vendor ecosystems
Third-party processors and vendors are a major source of processing risk. Our DPIA methodology includes full vendor risk assessments, processor due diligence, data transfer impact assessments (TIAs), and contract compliance reviews.
Remediation expertise for audit findings and Supervisory Authority mandates
Many organisations engage XpertDPO following audit failures, client contractual reviews, or regulator investigations identifying DPIA gaps. We deliver accelerated DPIA remediation with regulator-ready documentation to close audit findings and compliance actions.
Regulator-ready DPIA documentation structured for Supervisory Authority review
Our DPIA reports follow GDPR, EDPB, and AI Act expectations with full risk analysis, lawful basis assessments, proportionality evaluations, stakeholder engagement, residual risk scoring, and mitigation planning, ensuring defensibility in any regulatory investigation.
XpertDPO DPIA Support is built for organisations facing high-risk data processing, AI deployment, and vendor ecosystems, delivering clarity, defensibility, and expert-led risk governance when GDPR, AI Act, and supervisory authority expectations demand rigorous Data Protection Impact Assessments.
Our Proven Approach
Trusted DPIA support built on GDPR expertise, AI governance leadership, and regulator-defensible risk methodology. Conducting complex Data Protection Impact Assessments requires more than completing templates. We follow a proven, regulator-facing DPIA process combining expert risk scoping, cross-functional stakeholder workshops, AI and vendor risk analysis, lawful basis evaluation, security controls assessment, and full documentation designed for supervisory authority review.
DPIA Scoping & Risk Screening
Stakeholder Workshops & Data Flow Mapping
AI Risk Assessment & Emerging Technology Evaluation
Vendor & Third-Party Risk Analysis (TPRM)
Risk Scoring, Lawful Basis Evaluation & Mitigation Planning
Regulator-Ready DPIA Documentation & Ongoing DPIA Advisory
Key Services Included in Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) Support
DPIA Scoping & Risk Screening
Stakeholder Workshops & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Detailed Data Flow Mapping & Processing Architecture Review
Lawful Basis Evaluation & Purpose Limitation Review
AI Risk Assessment (EU AI Act, OECD, ALTAI Alignment)
Third-Party Vendor & Processor Risk Analysis (TPRM)
Security Controls & Privacy by Design Assessment
International Data Transfer Risk Assessment & TIA Support
Residual Risk Scoring & Risk Mitigation Planning
Regulator-Ready DPIA Documentation & Audit Preparation
What Our Clients Say About Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) Support
We are proud to support organisations across highly regulated, sensitive, and high-risk sectors as they navigate complex Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs). Our DPIA clients include public sector bodies, government regulators, financial institutions, healthcare providers, AI technology platforms, SaaS vendors, and professional services organisations managing complex processing operations involving AI deployment, vendor ecosystems, and cross-border data flows. Many clients engage XpertDPO to remediate DPIA gaps following internal audits, client contractual assessments, or supervisory authority findings. Here’s what some of them say about our support:
"XpertDPO’s DPIA team provided us with a full cross-functional risk analysis covering AI governance, vendor supply chain risk, and security controls. Their documentation was exactly what our legal counsel needed when responding to the regulator."
"Following an internal audit finding, XpertDPO delivered comprehensive DPIA remediation, fully aligned to GDPR and supervisory authority expectations. Their regulator-facing experience gave our board full confidence in the outcome."
"As a health and social care provider handling highly sensitive personal data, XpertDPO’s DPIA assessments help us align legal obligations, patient safety, and ethical governance across multiple complex services."
Trusted by teams in: Public Sector Authorities, Financial Services, Insurance, SaaS & Technology Providers, Government Departments, Health & Social Care Providers (Section 38 & 39), Higher Education, Professional Regulators, AI & Emerging Technologies, Vendor Risk Management, and Regulated Industries.
Data Protection Impact Assessments: Choosing the Right Methodology
When is a DPIA enough? As GDPR enforcement evolves and the EU AI Act comes fully into force, regulators expect more than completed templates. Complex processing involving AI, profiling, vendor chains, cross-border transfers, and sensitive personal data increasingly triggers deep regulatory scrutiny.
Generic DPIA services often miss AI risk, third-party dependencies, security architecture, and regulator-facing defensibility. Effective DPIAs demand legal, technical, and governance expertise, and documentation that stands up to supervisory authority review. The table below compares common DPIA approaches and shows why leading organisations choose XpertDPO.
| Feature / Factor | Internal Teams (Legal / IT / Compliance) | Template-Only DPIA Services | XpertDPO DPIA Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDPR DPIA legal expertise | ⚠️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| EU AI Act & OECD AI governance alignment | ⚠️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Vendor & third-party risk management (TPRM) | ⚠️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Security architecture & data flow mapping, by design experience | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Cross-border transfer risk assessment & TIA support | ⚠️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Residual risk scoring & mitigation planning | ⚠️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Regulator-ready documentation | ⚠️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Remediation support for audit findings | ⚠️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Ongoing DPIA support as processing evolves | ⚠️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Supervisory authority engagement experience | ⚠️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
XpertDPO DPIA Support delivers the full risk-based, regulator-ready Data Protection Impact Assessments your organisation needs to meet GDPR Article 35, AI Act obligations, and supervisory authority expectations. Our integrated DPIA model combines legal expertise, AI risk governance, technical security mapping, vendor risk evaluation, and defensible documentation, trusted by public sector bodies, SaaS platforms, financial services providers, healthcare organisations, and regulated industries across Ireland, Europe, and the UK.
When is a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) required under GDPR?
DPIAs are required when processing is likely to result in high risk to individuals. This includes profiling, AI, sensitive data, vendor ecosystems, large-scale monitoring, cross-border data transfers, or vulnerable data subjects. GDPR Article 35 lists common high-risk triggers that mandate a DPIA.
What makes a DPIA acceptable to supervisory authorities?
A regulator-ready DPIA includes clear lawful basis assessments, proportionality analysis, full data flow mapping, third-party vendor risk evaluation, AI risk assessments (where applicable), security controls review, and documented mitigation measures. Supervisory authorities expect comprehensive, evidence-based risk analysis.
How does the EU AI Act affect DPIAs involving AI systems?
Where AI is involved in personal data processing, DPIAs should integrate AI-specific risk assessments aligned with the EU AI Act’s risk classifications. This includes governance for high-risk AI systems, ethical oversight, transparency obligations, and alignment with OECD AI Principles and ALT
Do DPIAs need to include vendor and third-party risks?
Yes. Vendors and processors are a significant part of DPIA risk. Processor agreements, subcontractor chains, vendor security controls, cross-border processing, and Transfer Impact Assessments (TIAs) must all be evaluated as part of a complete DPIA.
What happens if a DPIA gap is identified during audit or regulator inspection?
XpertDPO routinely supports organisations remediating DPIA gaps after audits, client assessments, or supervisory authority findings. We provide rapid DPIA remediation, regulator-facing documentation, and engagement support to address identified deficiencies.
Why is stakeholder engagement essential in DPIAs?
GDPR Article 35(2) requires consultation with stakeholders. Effective DPIAs involve legal, IT, security, procurement, business owners, and data owners. XpertDPO leads cross-functional workshops to capture processing realities, vendor dependencies, and operational risk, delivering defensible assessments.
Can DPIAs be completed using templates alone?
Templates may help initiate DPIAs but are rarely sufficient for complex processing. Effective DPIAs require expert legal analysis, technical risk evaluation, AI governance alignment, vendor assessment, and documentation able to withstand regulatory scrutiny.
How often should DPIAs be reviewed?
DPIAs should be reviewed whenever processing changes, new technologies, vendors, jurisdictions, or AI deployments. Supervisory authorities expect DPIAs to reflect the current processing landscape, not just the initial assessment.
Do international data transfers require special DPIA consideration?
Yes. International transfers involve transfer impact assessments (TIAs), SCCs, adequacy decisions, and additional cross-border risk analysis under EDPB guidelines. These factors must be included in DPIAs covering international data flows.
Why do organisations choose XpertDPO for DPIA support?
XpertDPO combines regulator-facing DPO leadership, AI risk governance expertise, vendor risk management, technical security assessment, cross-functional stakeholder engagement, and regulator-ready documentation. Our DPIAs withstand regulatory investigation and audit scrutiny.