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In today’s complex and constantly evolving regulatory environment, businesses face an ever-growing array of compliance requirements across multiple frameworks ranging from FedRAMP, PCI, ISO, GDPR, and HIPAA, to name a few. Navigating these compliance waters is increasingly challenging, particularly with regards to cybersecurity and data protection. However, there are measures you can take to significantly refine your compliance processes. In this article, we will explore how streamlining all of your compliance efforts with a single trusted provider can not only simplify your processes but also enhance your overall security posture.

Microsoft recently released v11 of their Data Protection Requirements (DPR) for suppliers required to undergo an annual security and privacy assessment through Microsoft’s Supplier Security and Privacy Assurance (SSPA) program. Microsoft DPR v11 went into effect April 2025 and features a total of 67 requirements.

Within a few months of their latest update to their Data Protection Requirements (DPR) to address a coding incident (version 9.1), Microsoft released a draft or “pre-read” for their version 10 requirements that will be utilized for its Supplier Security and Privacy Assurance (SSPA) process as of the 2025 fiscal year. Arguably the largest update to the DPR since September 2018, v10’s new mandates address artificial intelligence (AI) and include important references to ISO 42001 that suppliers may want to take advantage of during their next compliance cycle.

When Microsoft released version 9 of their Data Protection Requirements (DPR) back in October 2023, the new framework contained several important updates, as well as a few brand new requirements, including the addition of new considerations for suppliers processing protected health information (PHI).

Amidst the evolving patchwork of data protection and privacy legislation in the United States, privacy remains a top priority for organizations. But protecting privacy also requires resources, and while not all organizations have that much to spare, it is possible to make do with only a small, dedicated team.

Since the introduction of the new Data Privacy Framework (DPF) on July 17, 2023, many have begun familiarizing themselves with its seven principles as they ready themselves to comply. However, the DPF also features 16 supplemental principles, two of which—regarding self-certification and verification—also cover particularly important topics.

Generally, privacy impact assessments (PIAs) are defined as evaluation tools that help to better understand how information is gathered, used, maintained, and shared. It’s a formal analysis used to assess what privacy risks exist within the information processing activities that drive specific products and services.

In news that’s excited the privacy industry worldwide—the EU – U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF) was announced on Monday, July 10, 2023, and took near immediate effect. This comes after months of review and public comment, but now, with the DPF functioning as a new adequacy mechanism under General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), organizations can once again transfer data under an adequacy decision if they adhere to and self-certify against the DPF.