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Data protection officer

Alternative titles for this job include Data compliance officer, data protection manager

Data protection officers help organisations to meet data laws and regulations, and provide advice on policies and how to apply them.

Average salary (a year)

£29,000 Starter

to

£50,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

35 to 40

You could work

between 8am and 6pm flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • training with a professional body

University

You would normally move into a data protection role after working with an organisation in a related area, like:

  • information management
  • media and communications
  • legal advice
  • digital security

Employers will accept most university subjects, for example:

  • business administration
  • law
  • marketing
  • English
  • modern languages
  • public administration

You could also apply to do a postgraduate course in data protection after completing a first degree.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship that covers data protection, for example:

  • Business Administrator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Paralegal Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Data Protection and Information Governance Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

These can take up to 2 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a learning provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could work with an organisation as an administrator or data protection assistant and become a data protection officer through training and promotion.

Other Routes

You could do training with a professional body to get industry-recognised data protection certification, for instance:

More Information

Career tips

You will need a good working knowledge of General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), the Data Protection Act (DPA) and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Information & Records Management Society for access to training, resources and latest developments in data protection regulations.

Further information

You can find more details about a career in data protection from the Information Commissioner’s Office.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • legal knowledge including government regulations
  • knowledge of English language
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • business management skills
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • excellent written communication skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • customer service skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a data protection officer, you could:

  • develop data management policies
  • provide expert guidance to departments on how to meet their legal obligations
  • assess data processes to highlight risks, and make recommendations
  • audit information to make sure data protection measures are effective
  • draft or edit printed and online content around data protection
  • respond to information requests and data breaches
  • produce face-to-face and online training for staff
  • maintain accurate records of data processing activities
  • keep up to date with developments in legislation in the UK and overseas

Working environment

You could work in an office or from home.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could become a:

  • senior data protection officer
  • data protection manager
  • compliance manager

With further training, you could work as a consultant, advising UK and international organisations on global privacy and data protection regulations.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Business Administration Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £14,722.50 a year Annually
  • Location: HA8 6LE

Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship

  • Wage: £13,741 a year Annually
  • Location: HARROW
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

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