Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) training is heading to Singapore. And with the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA) coming into effect just a couple of months ago, the timing couldn’t be better for privacy pros in the region.

As Paul Lanois recently wrote for Privacy Tracker, the PDPA “aims to regulate the flow of personal data, whereby consent of the individual is required before data relating to such individuals may be collected, used or disclosed.” One of the PDPA’s purposes is to “increase consumer trust and strengthen Singapore's position as a trusted global data hub.”

Enter the IAPP, the Singapore National Trades Union Congress’ Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and Straits Interactive, which this week announced the launch of CIPM training in Singapore.

“We are proud to introduce the CIPM certification, the world’s first and only certification in privacy program management, to Singapore,” said IAPP President and CEO Trevor Hughes, CIPP, noting the CIPM complements the PDPA, “where there is need for data protection officers to understand how to operationalize data protection and privacy in their organizations.”

In the announcement of the new training, Personal Data Protection Commission Chairman Leong Keng Thai said the commission welcomes such efforts “to help build capabilities of organisations in the area of personal data protection for better compliance with the PDPA. This will also help to strengthen Singapore as a trusted global data hub and foster a competitive economy.”

Gilbert Tan, CEO of e2i, noted that e2i, the IAPP and Straits Interactive are partnering “to bring in international certification, contextualise the course content to be aligned with Singapore’s legislation and to build a pool of Singaporean professionals who can manage, review and respond effectively on data protection issues for day-to-day business operations.”

And how will this all work?

“Straits will be providing three days of training,” explained IAPP Director of Global Business Development Alyssa Rosinski, CIPP/US, “one for Foundation, the second for the CIPM and then ‘Privacy Management—A Hands on Approach Based on Organisations’ Privacy/Data Protection Programme,’ Straits Interactive’s own training.”

The training program will be conducted by Straits Interactive, which “specializes in secure integrated solutions and services to address issues with personal data protection and privacy,” explained IAPP Director of International Operations Tory Bell.

As e2i’s Tan put it, “As data protection needs grow, workers with these competencies will be sought after and able to value add to companies.”