What It Is

PDPA (Personal Data Protection Act 2012) is Singapore's principal regulation for private sector organizations handling personal data. It establishes a principles-based, accountability-focused framework to balance individual privacy rights with legitimate business needs. Core approach emphasizes risk-based assessments via Data Protection Management Programme (DPMP).

Key Components

• Nine obligations: Consent or exceptions, Purpose Notification, Access/Correction, Accuracy, Protection, Retention Limitation, Transfer Limitation, Accountability, Do Not Call.
• Mandated DPO appointment and DPMP with governance, policies, processes, maintenance.
• Guidance on DPIAs, data inventories, breach response (A-C-R-E framework), no fixed controls count.
• Compliance demonstrated through documentation, not certification.

Why Organizations Use It

• Legal mandate avoids fines up to S$1M or 10% revenue.
• Reduces breach risks, enables data-driven innovation.
• Builds stakeholder trust, supports partnerships, eases cross-border transfers.

Implementation Overview

Phased roadmap: baseline assessment (inventories, PATO), governance (DPO, policies), technical controls (encryption, RBAC), training, incident playbooks, audits. Applies to all Singapore private sector entities processing personal data; scales by organization size/risk.

What It Is

ISO 31000:2018, Risk management — Guidelines is an international standard offering principles, framework, and process for managing risk systematically. It's a voluntary, non-certifiable framework applicable across sectors, sizes, and risk types, focusing on creating and protecting value through uncertainty management.

Key Components

• **Three pillars8 principles (integrated, structured, customized, inclusive, dynamic, best information, human factors, continual improvement); framework (leadership, integration, design, implementation, evaluation, improvement); process (communication, scope/context/criteria, assessment, treatment, monitoring/review, recording/reporting).
• No fixed controls; emphasizes repeatable, tailored processes.

Why Organizations Use It

• Drives strategic resilience, better decisions, and opportunity capture.
• Meets regulatory benchmarks, reduces losses, enhances trust.
• Builds competitive edge via risk-adjusted performance and culture.

Implementation Overview

• Phased approach: diagnose/design, build/deploy, operate/optimize, institutionalize.
• Involves policy, training, tools, integration; suits all organizations; no certification, internal audits suffice. (178 words)