Qualifications Required for Data Protection Officer Role

Data protection and privacy rights are expanding fields. Data protection officers are in high demand. Because this is a new job for many companies, there is usually a lack of clear direction when developing hiring requirements for a new DPO. The ability to advise a business on what is needed, what the role should involve, and even the value the DPO can provide the company makes a candidate highly sought after.

Every indication points to a significant increase in DPO demand in the near future.

What is a DPO and their responsibilities? 

An organization’s DPO is tasked with advising it on how to adhere to its legal obligations regarding data processing. A DPO is an impartial specialist in data protection.

They are responsible for five different tasks, including: 1. advising staff on how to use personal data; 2. monitoring the organization’s data protection policies and procedures; 3. advising management on the necessity of DPIAs (data protection impact assessments); 4. acting as the organization’s point of contact with its supervisory authority; and 5. acting as a point of contact for individuals on privacy issues.

Article 39 of the GDPR outlines a comprehensive list of the DPO’s duties.

The requirements for designating a Data Protection Officer (DPO), as well as their role and responsibilities under the GDPR, are described in full in Articles 37 to 39 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The Data Protection Commission (DPC) and the Article 29 Working Party, whose GDPR-related guidance was later endorsed by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), have issued guidance on this topic, despite the fact that the GDPR does not define the professional qualities required or specify the training a DPO should undergo to be qualified to perform the role. This enables organizations to choose a DPO with credentials and training appropriate for the context of their data processing.

Starting off as a DPO

You must have education and experience in order to work as a data protection officer. The following is an illustration of an often desired combination of education, employment history, career path, and professional certifications:

1. Educational requirements: A BA or BS in computer science, information security, or a related field; alternatively, a J.D. or bachelor’s degree; or the professional equivalent experience in a relevant field, such as privacy, compliance, information security, auditing, etc.
2. Career path: Promotion to DPO can be properly sought after after 10+ years of experience in the various privacy domains (e.g., privacy program and policy, privacy law, information governance, incident response, information security, training, and awareness, etc.).
3. Professional certifications: You might be required to possess one or more of the CIPP/E, CIPP/US, or CIPM credentials issued by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).
4. Work experience: Positions in risk management with an emphasis on compliance and/or privacy and/or five years or more are preferred. Attention is typically given to other pertinent areas as long as the candidate can demonstrate relevance to this information security-based role (such as finance, business administration, information technology, etc.).

For a DPO’s role, the following skills and knowledge are important:

1. Knowledge of national and European data protection rules and procedures, particularly a thorough comprehension of the GDPR;
2. Knowledge of the specific methods their organization uses to process personal data;
3. A thorough understanding of their organization and the industry in which it competes; Knowledge of information technologies and data security;
4. Capacity to help the organization develop a data protection culture.

How can Tsaaro help?

There are no formal requirements to become a DPO. A certificate for data protection practitioners is not formally required. However, you must be an expert in demonstrating adherence to numerous data protection laws. You should be able to perform the duties of a DPO. Additionally, you should be knowledgeable with the managerial, technological, and legal aspects of data privacy.

You can get assistance with this via the Certified Tsaaro – Data Protection Officer, or CT DPO Practitioner training online course. In contrast to other generic DPO courses offered online, C-DPO Practitioner training online course is truly unique. Our Data Protection Officer course is an industry-specific DPO Course that complies with standards. The C-DPO Practitioner certification, which is our flagship DPO online training program, is designed for privacy professionals who aspire to work as DPOs. The program is appropriate and includes every skill required to become a DPO.

Establishing a data protection compliance program, comprehending GDPR regulatory requirements to implement GDPR principles within the organization, managing and mapping personal data, and key considerations to keep in mind when drafting privacy policies, cookie policies, and internal policies are just a few of the learning outcomes. Additionally, it involves understanding how to record privacy policies, cookie policies, PIAs, DPIAs, vendor assessments, ISO Controls, and documentation of PCDA in addition to learning about security methods to protect personal data.

The course will include two recorded lectures, four live practical sessions with case studies, and instructor-led online instruction (on Zoom). A test follows the completion of the C-DPO Practitioner Course course. You will be awarded the C-DPO Intermediate certification after passing the certification exam at the end of the course. The exam time is completely up to you. To pass, you must receive 50% of the available points. Total, you get two opportunities to pass the exam.

Conclusion

The area of privacy rights and data protection is expanding quickly. Data protection officers are in high demand. When creating recruiting standards, there is frequently a lack of exact direction because many organizations are only now starting to hire DPOs. A candidate who can explain to a company what is required, what the function should involve, and even how much the DPO might aid the organization is therefore highly sought for. It appears that demand for DPOs is growing significantly and will probably continue to do so in the near future. The need for DPOs seems to be increasing swiftly and is likely to do so for some time to come.