If a software security team member needs to evaluate sensitive customer information handling, what deliverable should they create?

A privacy impact assessment (PIA) is crucial for evaluating how sensitive customer information is handled within a software system. The purpose of a PIA is to identify potential privacy risks and assess the nature and extent of the information that is collected, used, and stored. It typically includes an analysis of how personal data is processed, the purposes of the processing, data retention schedules, security measures in place, and the rights of the individuals whose data is being handled.

Creating a PIA enables the software security team to ensure compliance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and to implement necessary controls to protect sensitive information. This proactive approach aids in safeguarding customer data, enhancing trust, and mitigating the risks associated with data breaches. Properly conducting a PIA helps organizations understand the implications of their data handling practices on user privacy, leading to better-informed decisions regarding software design and functionality.

In contrast, while options like a threat profile or metrics template may also be relevant to security practices, they do not specifically assess how sensitive customer information is managed. Similarly, an SDL (Software Development Lifecycle) project plan provides a broad framework for security throughout the software development process but does not focus solely on assessing customer information handling.