To meet the increasing demand from governments and consumers for more stringent security, highly skilled privacy and data protection specialists are highly sought-after. Companies that adhere to the GDPR are legally required to employ data protection experts for them on a full-time basis.
Hiring a data protection officer is among the most critical steps you can take to increase your data protection compliance efforts. A DPO must have privacy-related expertise and operational capabilities to effectively collaborate with essential stakeholders from across the company to promote the policies and procedures for data protection, technical safeguards, and employee training programs.
DPO Skills
To effectively fulfill the obligations outlined in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a DPO requires a wide variety of skills, which includes “soft” and “hard” capabilities. This is why choosing the right DPO is a difficult task. Candidates must have the skills and experience listed below that range from legal to technical.
1. Knowledgeable in Legal Matters
It is an essential skill you must possess if you are a DPO. A skilled DPO has a thorough knowledge of these regulations and is aware of any legislative changes that could affect the business. This requires a keen eye for details and the ability to analyze data quickly to determine which category of processing the operation is in and advise the business in the right direction.
A DPO who is iso 27001 standard should be well-informed about the law and, ideally, receive some instruction in law. They must be skilled in writing policies as well as various legal documentation.
2. Good Communication Skills
The success of a DPO is contingent on his ability to communicate with and collaborate with people from every aspect of life. Being sensitive to culture can go far in dealing with people from different countries with different business practices and practices. They must be able to communicate with ordinary people without being rude towards them or using excessive language. As complaint handlers, they need to find a way to be friendly and professional.
A DPO is also likely to have frequent conversations with senior officials and other experts who might need to gain specialized expertise in privacy by design and default. A DPO must be authoritative and also be able to teach others.
3. Well-Versed in Technology
The Data Protection Officer (DPO) is expected to possess a working understanding of the IT systems through which processing is carried out. You need to understand the causes of breaches and the things you can do to avoid them from being able to give solid advice for dealing with them. Knowing the workings of new technologies and the threats they could bring to data security or the standard procedure is essential.
A DPO’s compliance risk assessment knowledge is beneficial as they are frequently asked to guide privacy impact assessments. As the sensitivity of data grows, so will the security level used.
4. Credible
A DPO candidate must prove that they have no conflicts of interest. If the director of an IT department were also the DPO, it would create an exciting conflict since the director of the IT department would evaluate their department’s performance. The duties of a DPO should be separated from the duties of the other staff members.
The DPO must appear credible when dealing with regulatory bodies during their work. Consistent and cooperative cooperation could yield significant savings through reduced penalties. Maintaining good relations with authorities is crucial.
5. Independent
Because of their specific role, DPOs are highly independent. The GDPR stipulates that the DPO be accountable to the top management. They must be able to exercise authority and autonomy to deal with any issue. They need direction from another employee.
A DPO requires access to adequate resources from their employer to perform their duties efficiently. A DPO must be appropriately integrated within the company by management. If DPOs are to do their tasks effectively, they should be involved in ongoing projects and informed of upcoming deadlines.
