What Is a Data Protection Officer?

Key takeaways

• An outsourced data protection officer works independently to ensure that a business manages customers’ private data in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

• Data protection officer services include cybersecurity software, IT systems, data collection and storage processes, encryption programs, risk assessment, and security reporting.

• Data protection officer jobs may allow you to enter from multiple career paths, as long as you build the required experience in compliance, law, operational risk management, information security, and other IT processes.

A data protection officer manages a corporation's data protection strategy and helps ensure compliance with data storage and sharing practices. This article explores what a data protection officer is, their standard job duties, education and experience requirements, typical salary, and the technical and workplace skills to develop.

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What is a data protection officer?

A data protection officer is a professional who manages a corporation's overall data protection strategy and monitors compliance to protect customers’ private data and information stored and managed within a business. These professionals hold an independent position within the company and keep the customer’s best interest at the forefront of everything they do. As security leaders, DPOs ensure firm-wide compliance with relevant laws and regulations and often educate key stakeholders and employees on data processing best practices and compliance requirements.

Data protection officer services in the European Union (EU)

In 2018, the EU implemented the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to strengthen its position on data protection and set forth specific requirements for data privacy and rules detailing how companies can gather and store the personal data of EU citizens. Failure to remain compliant with these regulations results in significant penalties for corporations, which is why the GDPR recommends that all organizations appoint someone to monitor compliance. The regulation requires a company to hire a DPO if it meets one of three requirements [2]:

1. A public body or public authority processes the data

2. Processing personal data is a primary activity for a company that regularly monitors EU citizens on a large scale

3. The company engages in large-scale processing of special data, as defined by the GDPR

Data protection officer services in the US

Companies in the US must also comply with various data privacy laws and regulations, depending on the industries they operate in and the types of personal data they collect. A few of the prevalent laws regarding privacy data include:

• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1966 (HIPAA)

• Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA)

• Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

Due to the need to comply with these and other regulations, businesses in the US still recognize the value of employing a data protection officer with the skills to protect personal data effectively. Additionally, the GDPR requires any corporation that manages or uses the private data of EU citizens to appoint a DPO.

What types of companies do data protection officers work for?

Data protection officers can work for any company that works internationally in EU countries and handles personal data. It is a government regulation for these corporations to hire a DPO. Beyond international companies, health care or health insurance businesses may seek to appoint a DPO because of the types of information they collect. Any business that ingests and stores large quantities of customer data may be a target for a data protection officer job, whether it is a large corporation or a nonprofit.

Other data-related roles within corporations, such as the chief information security officer (CISO), may appear similar to those of a data protection officer. However, critical distinctions exist between the roles, showing how unique data protection officer positions are.

CISOs and other data officers strive to protect a company's data and critical information and use it to gain insights that optimize and enhance various functions within the business. As mentioned, a data protection officer aims to keep the customer’s best interests in mind and protect their privacy. However, it is important to note that smaller companies may have one individual handle the duties of both a CISO and a DPO.

What is an outsourced data protection officer?

For a company that lacks the resources to hire a full-time DPO, outsourcing can provide an alternative. An outsourced DPO helps businesses meet regulatory requirements and ensure oversight of their data protection measures. Outsourcing can help a business save money while gaining access to qualified experts.

Data protection officer services: What does a data protection officer do?

A data protection officer oversees how their company collects, stores, shares, and uses personal data and ensures the organization remains compliant with regulations and best practices. Additionally, the duties performed in the role of a data protection officer commonly include the following:

• Determine the inherent risk of handling customer data.

• Monitor how customer-related personal data cycles through a corporation.

• Perform security audits on a standard schedule.

• Maintain compliance with all relevant laws by building a privacy framework.

• Identify each type of personal information ingested by a business.

• Become the primary point of contact for engaging with various data-governance authorities.

• Provide employee training and educate members of the organization.

• Measure company performance related to protecting data and aiding when required.

• Communicate with customers to explain their data privacy rights.

• Create an in-depth log of records detailing a corporation's protection initiatives.

Data protection officer skills

Understanding the various technical and workplace skills required to perform effectively is valuable before pursuing a job, as many roles require you to work with various stakeholders, making relationship-building and communication critical skills for a DPO. The requirements of each position may differ slightly; however, having proven experience with technical concepts, such as cybersecurity, is helpful.

Technical skills

As a data protection officer, you’ll likely need to have significant experience in working with the GDPR and other data-related regulations, along with familiarity with IT operations, programming, and systems auditing. Additional technical skills you may need include:

• Experience with cybersecurity software

• Ability to build and develop information technology (IT) systems

• Familiarity with relevant data collection and data storage processes

• Ability to efficiently use encryption programs

• Risk assessment

• Experience with security reporting

Workplace skills

Some of the work you’ll do as a DPO may require you to train employees and translate complex information into steps organizations can take. Additionally, relevant workplace skills for data protection officers include:

• Leadership

• Effective communication

• Management qualities

• Customer service

• Problem-solving

• Critical thinking

• Legal knowledge

• Ability to ensure compliance

• Expertise in data protection regulations and laws

Data protection officer salary and job outlook

According to Glassdoor, the median annual total salary for data protection officers in the US is $120,000 [1]. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation. This is substantially above the median salary for all occupations in the US, which is $50,980 [3].

The salary you will receive as a data protection officer varies depending on your location and your specific employer. A few of the top 10 US cities offering the highest average pay for data protection officers include [4]:

• Green River, WY: $130,753

• San Mateo, CA: $125,740

• Sunnyvale, CA: $124,428

• Santa Clara, CA: $123,866

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that roles related to data protection, such as information security analysts, will grow 21 percent from 2025 to 2035. On average, this growth rate corresponds to around 14,100 job openings per year [5].

Data protection officer career path

You can become a data protection officer from many different career paths and disciplines, depending on the skills you possess and the experience you have attained. Many successful DPOs come from a legal background and are exposed to relevant data protection laws and regulations.

You can still land a data protection officer role without having privacy or security-related experience. For example, if you have a background in finance, administration, or business, you might still be eligible to apply. Having the necessary skills and knowledge for an information security role greatly affects your ability to enter this profession. Required knowledge may include the organization's structure, relevant technologies, information technology infrastructure, business operations, and industry-specific knowledge.

Gaining relevant experience is also crucial to becoming a data protection officer, as it is a senior-level role that handles sensitive information. Consider gaining experience in areas such as:

• Compliance

• Law

• Operational risk management

• Information security

• Other various disciplines in information technology

Who cannot be a DPO?

Individuals who cannot operate independently or have conflicts of interest are ineligible to be a DPO. This includes anyone involved in data processing decisions, like a chief technical officer (CTO), IT personnel, or anyone who reports to a direct superior. Their positions could hinder their ability to monitor compliance and lead to biased decisions that favor the organization over data protection regulations. Additionally, short-term employees are also ineligible to apply for the DPO role.

Data protection officer training and education

To attain a data protection officer job, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in law, computer science, information security, cybersecurity, or another similar discipline. Proven experience or formal education in compliance roles, jobs focused on privacy, or auditing may qualify you for these positions. Having a law degree with valuable experience in the topics mentioned is also a possible option for you.

Getting an advanced degree, like a master’s, is not a formal qualification for data protection officer jobs. However, some corporations may hire more educated candidates with additional experience.

Certifications tailored for data protection officers allow you to gain crucial training and build skills relevant to this profession. Pursuing certifications and other career credentials, such as Professional Certificates, shows employers that you have the proper experience, particularly in cybersecurity, to handle a data protection officer role. Some of the top credentials for DPOs include:

• Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP)

• IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

• Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)

• Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT)

• Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE)

Read more: What Is a Certified Data Protection Officer and How Do You Become One?

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