8 Criteria for Evaluating Privacy Software in 2026: RoPA, DPIA, and More
Learn what to check and ask for when evaluating privacy compliance software, from RoPA and DPIA workflows to data inventory, DSARs, and regulatory coverage.
The article discusses eight criteria for assessing privacy software, emphasizing the need for a connected approach rather than a disconnected setup. The points of a privacy platform are to create an ongoing record of processing activities (RoPA) that remains accurate as systems, vendors, and data flows change. This RoPA should also cover both controller and processor obligations and be available quickly when requested.
Additionally, a privacy platform should streamline data protection impact assessment (DPIA) workflows, linking them directly to the relevant processing activities and RoPA. An effective privacy program should also have a comprehensive data inventory and mapping of processing activities, minimizing reliance on annual questionnaires and building a complete view of data flows.
Moreover, the platform should support Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) workflows, enabling native intake, deadline tracking, and per-category fulfillment with an audit trail. Lastly, privacy software should be connected to security and compliance programs, allowing teams to reuse evidence and see privacy risk alongside other risks.
The examples provided by Vanta demonstrate how their platform addresses these criteria, providing a dedicated solution for GDPR and privacy compliance where processing activities exist in a live data inventory with RoPAs and impact assessments connected in one place.
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