PDPA compliance software: What to look for

RD Symms headshot

RD Symms

Feb 27th, 2025

4 min read

"The Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) is a regulation that aims to protect the personal data of individuals in Singapore. It governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data by organizations, ensuring that individuals have control over their own personal information. The PDPA establishes rules for how organizations must handle personal data, including obtaining consent before collecting data, limiting the use of data to only what is necessary, and implementing security measures to protect data from unauthorized access or disclosure.

Under the PDPA, organizations are required to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) to oversee data protection practices and ensure compliance with the regulation. They must also provide individuals with access to their own personal data and allow them to request corrections or deletions if necessary. Failure to comply with the PDPA can result in fines and penalties, making it crucial for organizations to understand and adhere to the requirements outlined in the regulation to protect the privacy and rights of individuals."

"An example of how PDPA (Personal Data Protection Act) would be used is in a company's handling of customer data.

Let's say a company collects personal information from its customers, such as their names, contact details, and payment information. Under PDPA regulations, the company would be required to inform customers about the purpose of collecting their data, obtain their consent before collecting any personal information, and ensure that the data is securely stored and not shared with third parties without the customer's permission.

The company would also need to have policies and procedures in place to ensure that customer data is only accessed by authorized personnel and is kept up to date. In the event of a data breach, the company would be required to notify affected customers and take steps to mitigate any potential harm.

Overall, PDPA would be used to ensure that companies handle personal data responsibly and protect the privacy rights of their customers."

What’s involved with PDPA compliance?

"1. Questionnaire Generation: Automatically generate tailored questionnaires based on factors such as industry, compliance requirements, and the specific needs of the organization. For example, generating a questionnaire specifically designed to assess PDPA compliance for a company in the healthcare industry.

2. Distribution: Automatically distribute questionnaires to relevant stakeholders, including employees, vendors, and partners, via email or through integrated platforms. This ensures that all necessary parties receive and complete the required questionnaires in a timely manner.

3. Reminder and Follow-up: Send automated reminders to participants who have not completed or submitted their security questionnaires within a specified timeframe. This helps ensure that all stakeholders are actively engaged in the compliance process.

4. Response Collection: Automatically collect and consolidate responses from participants into a centralized database or platform for analysis. This streamlines the data collection process and makes it easier to analyze and identify areas for improvement.

5. Reporting and Documentation: Automatically generate comprehensive reports summarizing questionnaire results, highlighting key findings, and providing recommendations for improvement. This helps organizations track their PDPA compliance efforts and make informed decisions based on the data collected."

What to look for in a PDPA compliance tool

"Look for software that automates repetitive tasks, such as generating questionnaires, distributing them, collecting responses, and sending reminders. This reduces manual effort and speeds up the process.
Software with AI capabilities can recommend answers from a well-maintained content library, validate responses, and analyze risks or gaps. This ensures accuracy and streamlines the review process.

Acquire tools that empower field teams to proactively share up-to-date security and compliance information via profiles or trust centers.
Integration with your existing tech stack, including CRMs, cloud storage, Microsoft Office, and collaboration tools like Slack or Teams.

A centralized content library or knowledge base that stores accurate, reusable answers helps streamline responses and ensures consistency in addressing compliance requirements.

Opt for software that supports team collaboration with features like task assignments, workload visibility, in-app comments, and e-signature collection. This ensures everyone stays aligned and projects move smoothly.

Detailed reports highlighting key findings, compliance status, and areas for improvement. An audit trail is also essential for regulatory compliance and internal tracking."

Case studies

A lot of the tasks above can be automated with the right software. See how Responsive brings your teams and content together to produce standout responses that seal deals with speed.