Privacy officer (Privacy officer)
Information on this skill...
A privacy officer is responsible for supervising the handling of personal data. In addition, it is also the responsibility to shape the privacy policy within an organization. In the Netherlands, there is a General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) based on European legislation. This law prescribes that there must be the careful handling of personal data. A privacy officer checks, among other things, whether an organization complies with the European privacy law. Other applicable regulations in the context of privacy are also covered by the activities. Monitoring compliance with privacy rules is the most important task. In addition, there is also an advisory role. For example, when it comes to problems related to dealing with privacy or answering questions. Furthermore, it is possible that a privacy officer is engaged in giving training to employees in an organization. The function also entails that there is a first point of contact. For example, for people whose personal data are registered. In the privacy statement of an organization or company, it is therefore important that the contact details of the privacy officer are stated in it. Incidentally, it is usually not mandatory for companies and organizations to employ a privacy officer. Moreover, it is not a legally protected profession. There is, however, an obligation for the presence of a data protection officer if it concerns government organisations or if it is an institution that stores special personal data and does so on a large scale. Institutions that focus on structurally following or observing persons also have the obligation. In the case of special personal data, such as health data, ethnic origin or religion.
A privacy officer can be compared to an information security officer and supervisor. It is an independent function, where it is usually the case that reports are made directly to the highest management, such as to a manager, such as to an office manager or to a director. In the context of the performance of the function, the privacy officer works with various departments and employees. For example, with a human resources employee just like with company lawyers and data analysts. For example, it happens that a data breach occurs, in which personal data ends up in the wrong hands. Or suddenly be public to unauthorized persons. In such situations, the obligation to report the data breach to the relevant supervisory authority now applies. In the Netherlands, it is possible to report complaints related to privacy to the Dutch Data Protection Authority. The DPA functions as a general supervisor of compliance with the GDPR privacy law. Privacy complaints can relate to all kinds of situations. For example, students who have to deal with digital surveillance and have to turn on their own camera. Or about a data breach at an authority, which citizens are worried about. For example, there are also employees who report privacy complaints that are related to the work situation. To prevent such complaints, the role of privacy officer is therefore important.
DIFFERENCE PRIVACY OFFICER (PO) EN DATA PROTECTION OFFICER (DPO)
The term privacy officer and data protection officer are sometimes mixed up. In practice, however, there is a difference between them. A DPO is a data protection officer and is mandatory in a number of situations, as indicated earlier. If the obligation for a DPO is not present, it can still be useful for companies and organizations to have a point of contact. In this case, a role is reserved for the privacy officer or PO. The PO then has more the role of legal advisor in the field of privacy and is not the data protection officer. The PO can develop privacy policies and provide support in the implementation of the policy. If there are privacy issues within an organization, the privacy officer can act as a point of contact. In addition, the PO ensures that the GDPR tasks are carried out and that the measures are implemented in the organization. In practice, it often happens that the tasks of a privacy officer and data protection officer are intertwined. In situations where an obligation applies to a DPO, it is of course important to design this function independently. A privacy officer is never a mandatory position in that context, but a data protection officer can be.
TASKS AS PRIVACY OFFICER:
- Set up privacy policy
- Monitoring compliance
- Advise
- Be a source of information
- Act as a point of contact
- Reporting to management
- Supporting departments
- Identifying risks
- Maintaining contacts
WHAT DOES A PRIVACY OFFICER DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME A PRIVACY OFFICER
To practice the profession of privacy officer, at least an appropriate hbo education is required. This can be a bachelor's degree in law, but also a bachelor's degree in business administration. In addition, it may be necessary to follow some additional training for the position.
COMPANIES WHERE A PRIVACY OFFICER CAN BE EMPLOYED
It is especially important for large organizations and companies to employ a privacy officer. For example, it is possible to be employed by a municipality as a civil servant. Large companies and offices that work with a lot of staff or with personal data also offer a working environment. Think of insurers, as well as banks or hotel chains and small and medium-sized businesses, but also, for example, the NS.
COMPETENCES PRIVACY OFFICER
Legal knowledge of privacy legislation is necessary to exercise the profession of privacy officer. The position entails that communication skills are required as well as the ability to work and collaborate independently. An analytical attitude is also an important competence. Social skills also come in handy in the context of maintaining internal and external contacts.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A PRIVACY OFFICER
The labour market perspective is good. The position of privacy officer is heavy in view of the responsibilities. Growth is possible, but the options for this depend on the organization. Within the financial sector, for example, it is possible to grow into the position of compliance manager. This includes fulfilling the position of department manager or the role of chief privacy officer.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY PRIVACY OFFICER
The responsibilities of a privacy officer are reflected in the amount of the salary. In this profession, an amount can be earned per month between 4,000 euros and 6,000 euros gross. The education and work experience determine what the income really is. The terms of employment vary. For example, a privacy officer who works as a civil servant at the municipality receives different employment conditions than someone who works for an insurer in this position. Usually, a collective labour agreement applies in the various branches. Furthermore, an employer may offer benefits through additional employment conditions. For example, with free train travel in second class if you work at the NS.
The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.
Lesen Sie diese Informationen auf Datenschutzbeauftragter auf Deutsch.
Lea esta información sobre Oficial de privacidad en español.
Lees deze informatie over Privacy officer in het Nederlands.
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