Definition[]
A Privacy Threshold Analysis (PTA) document is a form used for all information technology systems that are going through the certification and accreditation (C&A) process required under the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), to determine whether they properly maintain personally identifiable information (PII). The PTA includes a description of the system, what PII, if any, is collected or used, and from whom.
Department of Homeland Security[]
The PTA is the first document completed by a DHS component seeking to implement a system, program, or project. The PTA identifies whether the system, program, or project is a Privacy Sensitive System (i.e., a system that collects or maintains PII or otherwise impacts privacy). The PTA also identifies whether additional privacy compliance documentation such as a privacy impact assessment (PIA) or System of Records Notice (SORN) is required.