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

A certified data protection officer oversees sensitive data security. They often have a degree in law, business, or cybersecurity, and they may build experience working toward this position in data protection, financial technology (FinTech), or risk management before moving into a data protection officer role.

Many businesses and organizations, regardless of size, handle sensitive data to some degree, and this job’s importance continues to grow as the threat landscape and data-related risks evolve. Risks include a data breach or loss, which can further result in lost productivity, profits, reputation, and even legal consequences, all of which come with costs that can rapidly add up. In 2024, the global average data breach cost was $4.88 million, a record high and a 10 percent increase over the global average cost in 2023 [1].

If you want to work toward helping to protect the wealth of sensitive data being exchanged between businesses and consumers on a regular basis, this could be a good field. Discover how you can get started on the path to becoming a certified data protection officer and why certification may improve your career trajectory.

What is a certified data protection officer?

At its very core, the certified data protection officer role revolves around keeping data and information safe from various internal and external risks.

Risks to data security might include:

• Nonexistent security architecture

• Unpatched software and applications

• Phishing

• Hacking

• Cloud computing

• Removable media, like external hard drives

• Insufficient backup practices

• Organizational use of social media

• Organizational use of mobile devices

Because this role is so all-encompassing within an organization, a certified data protection officer often reports to someone higher up in the organization and may educate entire teams on and enforce boundaries around the best practices for proper data protection. 

What does a certified data protection officer do?

A certified data protection officer (CDPO) helps safeguard organizations’ reputation and credibility, both of which can suffer in the face of a data breach. On a more day-to-day level, a CDPO performs many functions, all related to data protection and data security, as well as data privacy and data processing best practices.

CDPO duties and responsibilities

As a CDPO, one of your primary tasks will be establishing data security protocols and internal best practices. Depending on the exact role and organization, you may also perform duties such as:

• Training and educating staff who interact with sensitive data

• Conducting audits to ensure data security

• Ensuring proper adherence to data laws and regulations

• Overseeing compliance with legal agreements that require data sharing 

Additionally, as a CDPO, you may work with every department across your organization, playing a major role in assuring the organization can avoid the data risks discussed above. 

Certified data protection officer skills

The skills you’ll need to develop to earn your certification may vary, depending on the credential you pursue. For example, pursuing the Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) credential from the IAPP requires expertise in privacy laws and requirements surrounding data handling. The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) designation, however, focuses more on your ability to design and put cybersecurity programs into action.

Additionally, building a successful CDPO career requires a unique blend of workplace and technical skills, allowing you to navigate both the highly technical aspects of the role as well as the abundance of people interactions required. 

A few critical technical skills you may consider developing include:

• Knowledge of data protection regulations (including international regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation in effect in the European Union and others that affect any international business that comes into contact with EU residents’ data)

• Data analysis and data management experience

• Practical, real-world experience dealing with cybersecurity threats

Workplace skills you’ll want to strengthen include:

• Strong communication

• Problem-solving

• Organization

• Leadership

• Ability to work independently

• Ability to handle confidential information

Job outlook for a certified data protection officer

Certified data protection officers enjoy a promising job outlook, with employment expected to grow 33 percent between 2023 and 2033 [2]. The increasing acknowledgement of the importance of data privacy and the rising costs of data breaches are among the factors driving the growth in demand for certified data protection officers.

Salary for a certified data protection officer

The average base salary for a data protection officer is $93,000 [3].

While data protection certification is not required across the board to become a data protection officer, certification does come with certain benefits, such as the possibility of earning a higher salary. For example, a 2023 study found that data privacy professionals with even just one International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) certification made more than 13 percent more than those without an IAPP certification, while those with multiple data-related IAPP certifications made just over 27 percent more than those without any IAPP certification [4].

Other non-salary benefits you may enjoy after earning a data protection certification include eligibility for a larger number of roles, as many employers do require certification, as well as increased credibility and proof of expert knowledge. 

How to become a certified data protection officer

If you feel a data protection officer is a role that’s right for you, pursuing this career path starts with obtaining the right education, building the proper experience, and then applying for certification.

Pursue education and training.

Many data protection officer positions may require a bachelor’s degree in a field of study such as information security, computer science, finance, or business administration. A master’s degree in a similar or related field may also prove helpful. It’s also notable that, while a degree can be a valuable way to build your knowledge, skills, and expertise, it’s only sometimes a requirement. Employers increasingly seek candidates with solid skills backed by certifications and practical experience.

Build experience.

As a data protection officer is a type of leadership role, you may need to take a few years to build up your industry experience before pursuing certification and your first CDPO job. The IAPP recommends accumulating five to 10 years of experience performing related tasks. You might gain experience, for example, in another cybersecurity role or in information technology consulting.

Acquire CDPO certification.

After meeting requirements for education and experience, you may choose to become certified before applying to DPO roles or in an effort to advance your career.

Multiple organizations offer Certified Data Protection Officer certification options, including the SECO-Institute and the Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB).

SECO-Institute certification requirements

The SECO-Institute’s Certified Data Protection Officer (S-CDPO) certification program requires that you exhibit a certain amount of knowledge around data protection, as well as that you’ve spent at least seven years working in a related role, with five of those years in a leadership position. The SECO-Institute examines your qualifications first-hand before awarding certification. The organization provides a significant degree of assistance along the way, including exam study guides and advising services. 

PECB certification requirements

The PECB similarly offers training and assistance in preparing for the exams required for certification application. However, PECB does not require as much work experience as the SECO-Institute. Instead, it requests that certification applicants have five years of work experience, with two years of experience directly in data protection. As such, if you have less work experience, you might opt for certification through PECB. 

Other certification options

Numerous other certification options are available to CDPOs, too. You might choose to become a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP), or Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM), for example. Doing so could assist you in pursuing a more specific career path or in proving your knowledge in a niche area. 

For example, the CISSP certification is a preferred option for those already in higher-up security or technology-related roles, such as chief information officers or IT directors, who want to verify their experience in data security. The CIPP certification demonstrates your expertise in data privacy laws and regulations specific to a particular region. The CIPM certification verifies expertise in data privacy program administration. 

Each certificate will have its own prerequisites, such as a certain number of years working in a related field or leadership experience. To earn the credential, you may also need to pass an exam.

How to choose a certification

Before choosing a particular certification, consider factors such as the skills or expertise the certification might exhibit to specific employers, your past experience and qualifications, and your broader career goals. Additionally, consider what kind of support a certification program may offer, like training before an exam, the time required to obtain the certification, and any certification costs.

Build in-demand skills for a career as a CDPO with Coursera

CDPOs play a vital part in today’s world of increased data sharing and increased data security risks. Obtaining certification as a data protection officer can prove to employers that you have the skills and expertise necessary to take on this in-demand, crucial role.

Prepare for a career as a certified data protection officer with courses like Google’s Cybersecurity Professional Certificate or IBM’s Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate. You’ll find these programs and others on Coursera.