Initial Privacy Assessment

Definition
An Initial Privacy Assessment (IPA) is the first step in a process developed by OPCL to assist DOJ components in the development and use of information systems. Specifically, the IPA is a tool used to facilitate the identification of potential privacy issues; assess whether additional privacy documentation is required; and ultimately, to ensure the Department's compliance with applicable privacy laws and policies.

The IPA asks a series of basic questions, the responses to which are reviewed by OPCL to identify privacy concerns that may necessitate changes to the system and to determine whether additional privacy analysis and documentation are required, such as a system-of-records notice (SORN) or collection notice under the Privacy Act, or a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) under the E-Government Act. Once OPCL has reviewed a component's responses and made its determination, a letter reflecting that determination is sent to the component.

Source

 * Department of Justice, "Initial Privacy Assessment (IPA) Instructions & Template" (rev. Mar. 2010) (full-text).