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.