PDPA
Southeast Asia regulation for personal data protection
FedRAMP
U.S. program standardizing federal cloud security authorization
Quick Verdict
PDPA governs personal data protection across Asian PDPA jurisdictions with consent and breach rules, while FedRAMP authorizes secure cloud for US federal use via NIST controls. Companies adopt PDPA for regional compliance, FedRAMP for government contracts.
PDPA
Personal Data Protection Act 2012
Key Features
- Mandatory Data Protection Officer appointment
- 72-hour breach notification for significant harm
- Consent with deemed exceptions and withdrawal
- Cross-border transfer limitation safeguards
- Principles-based accountability and security obligations
FedRAMP
Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program
Key Features
- Assess once, use many times reusability model
- NIST 800-53 Rev 5 controls at three impact levels
- Independent 3PAO security assessments required
- Continuous monitoring with monthly deliverables
- FedRAMP Marketplace listing for visibility
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
PDPA Details
What It Is
PDPA (Personal Data Protection Act), notably Singapore's 2012 Act and equivalents in Thailand/Taiwan, is a statutory regulation governing personal data collection, use, disclosure, and protection. It adopts a principles-based approach balancing individual privacy rights with organizational needs for reasonable purposes, covering scope, lawful processing, security, and enforcement.
Key Components
- Core obligations: consent/notification, access/correction, accuracy, protection, retention/transfer limitation, accountability.
- Data Protection Officer (DPO) mandatory in key regimes.
- Breach notification (72 hours where applicable); cross-border safeguards.
- Enforcement via fines up to SGD/THB 1-5M, criminal sanctions.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory compliance avoids hefty fines, remediation orders, reputational damage. Enables secure data use for business, builds trust, supports regional operations. Risk-based controls reduce breaches; GDPR-aligned baseline aids multinationals.
Implementation Overview
Phased: governance/DPO appointment, data mapping/DPIAs, policies/contracts, technical controls/training, breach readiness. Applies to organizations processing local data; no certification but PDPC audits/guidance. Tailor to jurisdiction (e.g., Singapore DNC).
FedRAMP Details
What It Is
FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) is a U.S. government-wide framework standardizing security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud services used by federal agencies. It promotes "assess once, use many times" via risk-based NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 controls tailored to FIPS 199 impact levels (Low, Moderate, High).
Key Components
- Baselines: Low (~150 controls), Moderate (~320+), High (~400+), LI-SaaS tailored
- Artifacts: SSP, SAR, POA&M, continuous monitoring plans
- 3PAO independent assessments; Agency/Program authorizations
- Built on NIST standards with cloud-specific overlays
Why Organizations Use It
- Unlocks $20M+ federal contracts; required for CMMC
- Reduces risk duplication; competitive edge for CSPs
- Builds trust with agencies and commercial clients
- Demonstrates enterprise-grade security maturity
Implementation Overview
- 12-18 months: categorization, documentation, 3PAO audit, remediation
- Targets CSPs for federal procurement
- High documentation/auditing; ongoing quarterly monitoring
Key Differences
| Aspect | PDPA | FedRAMP |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal data protection in Asia | Cloud security for US federal agencies |
| Industry | All sectors in Singapore/Thailand/Taiwan | Cloud providers serving US government |
| Nature | Mandatory national privacy laws | Standardized authorization program |
| Testing | Internal security assessments | 3PAO independent security assessments |
| Penalties | Fines up to SGD 1M/THB 5M | Revocation of authorization, contract loss |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PDPA and FedRAMP
PDPA FAQ
FedRAMP FAQ
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