The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires organizations to appoint a DPO or Data Protection Officer to assist them in safeguarding the personal information of their clients and customers. EU-GDPR was created to protect the rights of its citizens and control the collection, processing, and storage of their personal data. Thus, organizations and business entities conducting business with citizens of the EU (European Union) and the EEA (European Economic Area) must abide by the rules and regulations of the GDPR.
Role of a Data Protection Officer
The DPO is responsible for managing the GDPR of an organization. They possess an in-depth knowledge of data protection laws and help their organizations adapt these laws to become GDPR-compliant. A Data Protection Officer monitors the GDPR compliance of the organization and provides valuable advice on how to improve them.
Data Protection Officers must have a firm understanding of the data privacy laws. The GDPR requires that DPOs must work independently and should instruct employers about the data protection law as well as compliance of the business organization. They must only report to the highest level of management at the organization and are bound by confidentiality.
The role of a Data Protection Officer are as follows:
- They advise organizations, their leaders, and staff about data protection laws.
- They offer advice on their personal information usage and protection.
- They monitor the compliance of the organization with data protection laws.
- They perform data protection impact assessments (DPIAs) when it is needed.
- They act as contact points between the organization and the supervisory authority.
- They also serve as contact points between the organization and the concerned individuals regarding their data privacy.
DPO Eligibility Criteria
Since the formal adoption of EU-GDPR in May 2018, there have been many changes in the regulations and the creation of the position of a Data Protection Officer came into effect in the year 2019. This resulted in job sites listing DPO to manage an organization’s GDPR. Though, EU-GDPR has made the appointment of a DPO compulsory in all organizations trying to become compliant with their regulations. Some organizations may have an employee who acts like a DPO but does not formally assume the position.
While organizations may appoint an existing employee to oversee the data privacy laws and their compliance with the business processes. It is not advisable by the GDPR, as it requires DPO to have a certain level of qualification and adequate proficiency. Here are the eligibility criteria for individuals or professionals who want to become a Data Protection Officer:
- Thorough understanding of data privacy laws and the regulatory requirements to ensure that their organization meets them.
- Strong communication skills to work with a supervisory authority as well as the concerned citizens.
- Leadership skills to work independently and instruct organizations regarding data protection laws and their compliance.
- Over 5 years of experience working with the EU and global privacy laws.
- Some experience in IT programming or infrastructure, information systems audit, and risk assessments or professional certifications in any of these domains.
Besides the above-mentioned requirements, professionals who are interested in managing and monitoring the GDPR compliance of their organizations can register for training. EU-GDPR Foundation Training and DPO Training courses are best suited for aspiring DPOs. They can use the training to become familiar with the rules and regulations of GDPR. This will help them understand the regulatory requirements and assist their organizations to become GDPR-compliant by becoming qualified Data Protection Officers. According to Glassdoor.com, DPOs can earn around £31,595 on average in the UK per year. These figures are changing every year with the increasing demand for Certified Data Protection Officers around the globe.
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