Requirements of the GDPR-mandated DPO

Published: March 2023Click To View (PDF)

This infographic outlines the requirements of the GDPR-mandated DPO. The European Data Protection Board chose the role of data protection officer for coordinated enforcement action in 2023. Twenty-six data protection authorities are participating.

Does your DPO have what it takes?


Structure

  • Report to the highest management level.
  • Be positioned to perform duties and tasks in an independent manner.
  • Be involved in all issues which relate to the protection of personal data.
  • Be resourced appropriately to maintain knowledge, access processing operations and conduct tasks.

Designation

  • Have expert knowledge of data protection law and practices.

Tasks

  • Advise the organization and employees of data protection obligations.
  • Monitor compliance and train relevant staff.
  • Advise on data protection impact assessments and monitor performance.
  • Cooperate and consult with the DPA.
  • Serve as contact point for the data subjects and the DPA.
  • Give due regard to data processing risks.

Additional Resources

  • DPO Toolkit – Are you a data protection officer? Are you trying to staff your DPO position? The DPO Toolkit has a number of instrumental resources in performing this vital role in the privacy field.
  • EDPB launches coordinated enforcement on role of DPOs – This article covers the EDPB's coordinated enforcement action focusing on the designation and position of DPOs, and what to expect as the process unfolds.
  • Data Protection Officer Requirements by Country – Increasingly, privacy and data protection laws around the world require organizations to designate a DPO to translate legal protections into practical reality. This chart catalogues those requirements but does not include the many additional instances in which a DPO is recommended but not required.
  • DPO Handbook: Data Protection Officers Under the GDPR, 2nd Edition – This textbook provides a comprehensive view of all aspects of the role of DPOs under the GDPR, starting with a look at how organizations determine whether they need a DPO, defining the skills required for the role, and discussing how to source this skillset.