The Need of Privacy Certifications for Lawyers | The State of Security

The widespread adaptability and integration of tools and the professionals who can effectively use them to comply with the law will significantly impact the careers of both lawyers and other legal personnel. One of the fastest-growing areas in the legal profession in the United States is Privacy Law. Privacy certifications endorse attorneys as credentialed privacy lawyers.

Privacy certifications can boost income streams and growth potential while increasing job stability and sustainability. In addition, privacy certifications equip lawyers with innovative skills and core knowledge needed to compete and safeguard a company’s legal defenses in today’s data-driven legal services environment.

Privacy has long been a flourishing career choice for privacy enthusiasts. However, it has never been more prominent for lawyers since the European Union introduced the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In the United States, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as well as other emerging privacy regulations tasks companies with complying with various privacy tenets.

Over the past few years, privacy has been a high focal point for many corporations. The entire Facebook and Cambridge Analytica fiasco has only heightened public awareness and demand for action on data privacy issues, necessitating the need for privacy certifications for lawyers to better understand data privacy laws to defend, secure, and ensure compliance for their clients.

Unrivaled Privacy Certifications

Even though awareness and action are two distinct paradigms, privacy certifications are tailored to modern-day standards, explaining the need for having a privacy approach to data handling activities and ways to comply with ever-evolving data privacy laws and regulations. Long gone are the days when teams could afford to function in silos and operate independently from one another within an organization. In today’s digital data-driven world, diverse teams within an organization must work more closely and cooperatively than ever before, thanks to technological advancements and, in particular, the emergence of frameworks such as DevOps, AIOps, and PrivacyOps.

The modern data-driven landscape doesn’t adequately facilitate organizations manually handling a massive influx of data.  The existing non-autonomous mechanisms are riddled with exploits, and are often inaccurate, labor-intensive, costly, and time-consuming.

IAPP Certification

International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), is a renowned association with over two decades of credible privacy experience and expertise.  IAPP offers a variety of certifications that are incredibly beneficial for privacy professionals. The American Bar Association has recognized the IAPP to certify lawyers in the field of privacy law.

Attorneys in the United States who meet the IAPP’s stringent specialist designation requirements may be allowed to advertise their privacy law specialty under their state’s principles of professional responsibility. The American Bar Association (ABA) has designated Privacy Law as the 15th specialty. IAPP’s Privacy Law Certification is one of only a handful of designations the American Bar Association recognizes.

PrivacyOps Certification

The PrivacyOps certification is pioneered by PrivacyOps, a cutting-edge platform for automating privacy operations throughout a business.

PrivacyOps is a new globally recognized standard empowers lawyers with the opportunity to diversify their learning and dive into the privacy realm without the need for having a privacy degree. The certification contains 11 modules and nine quizzes followed by one certification exam. Participants earn 4 IAPP CPE Credits and a shareable module badge upon completing a module.

When it comes to bolstering defenses, handling complex data tasks, and complying with data privacy laws, PrivacyOps certification takes a proactive approach and covers the nitty-gritty of privacy laws. This certification has gained substantial prominence in recent years because it enables businesses to take a proactive approach to ensure that all of their operations, products, and services are compliant with applicable data protection legislation.

The Benefits of a Privacy Credential

As one might expect, privacy professionals and lawyers are essential to the overall picture where compliance is essential. Furthermore, due to the necessity to ensure compliance with data privacy regulations, lawyers with the proper credentials and competence and having completed privacy certifications are increasingly relied upon to play a leadership role in organizational dialogues.

A privacy-certified lawyer essentially becomes a subject matter expert within an organization,  eventually becoming in charge of driving the privacy program and preserving the rights of data subjects.  The learning derived from a privacy certification enables lawyers to implement an effective data protection strategy that ensures the organization complies with the various global and local privacy regulations while also supporting business goals to minimize risk.

Organizations are always on the lookout for individuals who possess cross-disciplinary skills. Jurists with privacy credentials and hands-on experience are an asset to the organization. As the demand for privacy experts with modern-day privacy certifications develops, the role of privacy lawyers or certified privacy lawyers is expanding, as are rewards connected with the qualification.  A certified privacy professional’s career path might lead to becoming the Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) of the organization, provided that there is demonstrated knowledge and skills to take on the responsibilities of the job.

A privacy credential is a powerful tool to indicate advanced knowledge of the subject. 

Even though privacy certifications typically attract IT professionals and attorneys, many other professionals from various fields, including Human Resources, and Marketing are also registering to begin their certifications.  Since a formal certification ensures that persons are qualified and meet a recognized standard for operating a privacy program, it’s a win-win situation for both individuals and companies.

About the Author: With a passion for working on disruptive products, Anas Baig is currently a Product Lead at SECURITI.ai. He holds a Computer Science Degree and did his Bachelors in Science from Iqra University. His interest includes Information Security, Networking, Privacy, and Data Protection.

Twitter @anasbaigdm

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this guest author article are solely those of the contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Tripwire, Inc