Who is a Data Protection Officer (DPO)?
A DPO is responsible for the data protection strategy of an organization. 👮
They ensure that the organization follows the requirements that data protection laws and policies like the GDPR specify.
A DPO:
- Knows the GDPR and other local, national and European data protection laws
- Has knowledge of cybersecurity
- Understands IT infrastructure and systems
- Understands data governance
Organizations cannot interfere or influence the work of the DPO.
Organizations must also provide DPOs with all the resources and information needed to carry out their duties.
What does a DPO do?
A DPO is responsible for:
- Acting as a liaison between the organization and regulatory authorities
- Monitoring compliance with GDPR
- Performing internal audits of IT systems
- Educating the organization and its employees on compliance with GDPR
- Training the staff involved with processing data
Why is a DPO needed in an organization?
The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is the European Union's latest data privacy act, which was proposed by the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission to establish stronger data protection laws for European citizens.
Under Article 37 of GDPR, every organization that collects, processes or stores the personal data of EU citizens must appoint a DPO.
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