To certify or not to certify as a DPO? That is the question.
21/02/2024
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Probably, due to the functions you performed under LOPD 15/1999 and the subsequent adaptation to the GDPR in your company, you have become a DPO, and today you are clear that certification is the perfect complement to your career. Perhaps your case is different, and you are faced with the question of becoming certified as a Data Protection Officer (DPO) and practicing this profession.
Today we have 5 advantages that could help you decide and enter the world of data protection through the front door. These 5 aspects will surely confirm what you have already been considering, because you have seen that since the GDPR came into force, the need or obligation to have a DPO has only grown.
New professional opportunity: The DPO is a new professional position that has gained momentum since the GDPR came into force. As a result of the current regulatory framework, advice and consulting on GDPR and Privacy matters for private and public sector entities is becoming more dynamic, which represents a significant business opportunity. For its part, the public sector must designate a DPO to process personal data, as required by the GDPR, which creates new jobs in this area.
Broad candidate profile: DPO candidates do not require training in a specific field. Those with backgrounds in law, IT, and business administration, among others, find this area of specialization an opportunity for integration and development in the workforce.
Requirements for certification under the AEPD-DPD scheme: The requirements imposed by the scheme for certification should be viewed as an opportunity to improve, specialize, and stay up-to-date with the new regulations. Two important phases must be passed. The first is to demonstrate prerequisites, such as sufficient training or experience, or to complement experience and training. The second consists of passing a theoretical exam that validates the knowledge you already possess, which will allow you to obtain certification as a DPO, which is valid for three years.
Varied functions of a DPO: They have a broad list of tasks to perform, placing them among the most necessary positions to achieve regulatory compliance. Among the functions assigned to them by the GDPR are those of informing, advising, and supervising regarding compliance with personal data protection. The DPO’s most important duties include advising and supervising data protection impact assessments, as well as cooperating with and acting as a point of contact for the AEPD. This is also true of the strength that this innovative certification, which enjoys high prestige due to the professional rigor of the AEPD-DPD Scheme, will give to your professional career. This validates your knowledge and expertise in data protection, which will boost your career in this field and earn you the trust of your clients or employers.
Now, with advantages, you can transform a legal requirement into an opportunity and thus embark on one of the professions that’s here to stay: that of Data Protection Officer.