Many companies need a Data Protection Officer (DPO) to protect and ensure that the organization's data subjects comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and data protection legislation. Any organization that handles, analyses, collects and processes the data must be scrutinized by the Data Protection Officer (DPO) by adhering to GDPR compliance.
What is a Data
Protection Officer?
Data Protection Officer (DPO) is an enterprise security role under the GDPR, responsible for protecting and ensuring that the organization processes personal data, abiding with data protection rules. It is a mandatory role for the companies that process the personal data of EU citizens under Article 37 of GDPR.
The role of the Data Protection
Officer acts as a point of contact between the organization and Supervisory
Authorities who monitor data activities. The DPO should readily cooperate with
other departments involved in processing personal or sensitive data, such as
HR, Legal, and Marketing.
Why do
companies require a Data Protection Officer (DPO)?
According to GDPR, companies that deal with processing an individual's personal data on a large scale should be monitored by a Data Protection Officer (DPO). The role of the DPO is mandatory for the companies under specific scenarios such as:
- The public authority processes personal data.
- The activities of the processor or controller include data processing operations by regular and systematic monitoring of personal data on a large scale.
- The activities of the processor or controller include special categories of processing data on a large scale.
Key
Responsibilities of Data Protection Officer (DPO)
The following are the key responsibilities of a DPO:
- Monitor and evaluate data processing activities of the company.
- Inform and advise the companies and employees on how to achieve GDPR compliance and how to abide by data protection laws.
- Provide in-house legal advice on data privacy, privacy by design, and data transfer.
- Conduct training and awareness programs for the employees who process the data.
- Advise the recommendation and best practices on data interpretation and data protection rules.
- Advise and create data protection-related documents and contract due diligence for GDPR.
Skills
and Qualifications required to become a DPO
Data Protection Officers should possess strong IT skills and sound knowledge of the organization's IT infrastructure. A relevant working experience with specific regulations, such as the EU GDPR, is essential in becoming a DPO.
One should possess at least five
years of work experience in data privacy, compliance, and security domains
required to become a DPO. Having one or more professional certifications such
as CIPP/E, CIPM, or CIPP/US from the International Association of Privacy
Professionals (IAPP) is an added advantage to becoming a DPO.
Data
Protection with InfosecTrain
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