A GDPR Data Protection Officer (often shortened to DPO) is an expert on the rules and regulations of the GDPR and how to successfully implement them in your organisation. They oversee the internal implementation of a data handling strategy and advise and educate both internal and external stakeholders on data protection law issues.
Essential elements of a GDPR Data Protection Officer’s job description:
- The GDPR Data Protection Officer reports to the highest level of management and should at any time be able to advise the decision-makers within your business
- The tasks of a GDPR DPO are stipulated in law, in Articles 37, 38, and 39 of the GDPR
- Aside from auditing existing data handling processes and implementing ways to reach compliance the GDPR Data Protection Officer should aim to train key stakeholders on any GDPR obligations
- Although a GDPR DPO is specifically tasked with following GDPR guidelines they often support businesses on general, international data protection laws and issues as well