About the IAPP

Having started work in IT operations, Gary McPartland is an Information Security, Privacy and Risk professional with over 20 years’ experience. Gary’s specialist experience has been in the Privacy domain, he has had broad-ranging experience including in the highly-regulated banking/financial services and pharmaceuticals sectors, with sound experience of navigating regulations, and providing practical solutions to achieve compliance.

As the Data Protection SME for Grant Thornton Ireland, Gary developed the practice by providing sensible advice to Grant Thornton’s clients in Ireland and across Europe and the Americas. Gary has presented and delivered training on data protection; prepared position papers; delivered Board presentations; completed multiple DPIAs; assisted with data breach notifications; subject rights assessments; gap analyses; internal audits and privacy transformations.



Gary has developed a Data Protection Operating Model, which outlines a way organisations can translate the hard requirements of data protection laws into practical action-oriented steps to achieve compliance. Gary’s data protection clients have included hotel chains; construction companies; funds administration; healthcare; government departments; insurance companies; charities; and media companies.



Prior to working on Privacy and Data Protection, Gary has worked on all aspects of information security as both the Information Security Officer, and as an external advisor. 



Gary McPartland holds a Masters in Operations Management from DCU; a Bachelor of Business in Management Applications from IT Sligo; and a Diploma in Project management from Dublin Business School.  He is a Fellow of Information Privacy and holds the Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM); Certified Information Privacy Professional (Europe) (CIPP/E) and the Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT) certifications.  Additionally, Gary holds the CISA, CISM, and CSX-F qualifications from ISACA, along with Prince2; Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS); Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP); ITIL v3 Foundation; and COBIT5 Foundation.