Privacy Incident Response Team

Definition

A Privacy Incident Response Team (PIRT) is a group of DHS officials at the Departmental level or at the Component level responsible for handling Privacy Incident investigation, mitigation, and notification, with oversight by the DHS Chief Privacy Officer (CPO).

Overview

Each PIRT is a standing team of officials organized in advance that will handle Privacy Incidents for the Component or for the Department. Each team includes officials responsible for administering operational, privacy, and security programs. Its membership will also include legal counsel, the inspector general, law enforcement, and public and legislative affairs. Each PIRT member provides assistance with incident handling based on their capability, expertise, and authority as warranted by the circumstances of the incident. Each office or member at the Departmental level will consult with its counterpart at the Component level to ensure consistency in the implementation of the PIHG throughout the Department.