About the Certified Data Protection Officer (GDPR)
The PECB Certified Data Protection Officer (CDPO) programme equips you to take on the DPO role and lead an organisation’s compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Delivered fully self-paced and online, it moves from the concepts and principles of the GDPR to the practical operations of a data protection officer — designation, compliance programmes, day-to-day operations, monitoring and continual improvement.
You’ll learn how the GDPR maps to frameworks such as ISO/IEC 27701 and how to build, run and improve a compliance programme that stands up to scrutiny from supervisory authorities. It is designed for professionals who advise on, or are accountable for, the protection of personal data.
Course Information
What You Will Learn
Course Curriculum
- Origins and scope of the GDPR
- Key definitions and data protection principles
- Rights of data subjects
- Lawful bases for processing
- Role, position and independence of the DPO
- Building a GDPR compliance programme
- Records of processing and accountability
- Data protection by design and by default
- Data protection impact assessments (DPIAs)
- Managing data subject requests
- Personal data breach management and notification
- International data transfers
- Monitoring compliance and awareness
- Auditing the compliance programme
- Engaging with supervisory authorities
- Continual improvement
- Applying the GDPR toolkit to practical scenarios
- The three exam competency domains
- Revision and exam technique
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All You Need to Know
This programme suits professionals responsible for personal data and privacy compliance, including:
- Data Protection Officers and those preparing for the role
- Managers and consultants leading compliance initiatives
- Privacy, legal and compliance specialists
- Security and incident-management team members handling personal data
A fundamental understanding of the GDPR and of data protection requirements is recommended before enrolling.
The PECB Certified Data Protection Officer exam covers three competency domains: data protection concepts, GDPR requirements and compliance measures; the roles and responsibilities of accountable parties under the GDPR; and the technical and organisational measures that safeguard personal data. Completing the training earns 35 CPD credits.
What Our Learners Say
The Certified Data Protection Officer (GDPR) course gave me a clear, structured path to strengthen our information security posture. The instructors explained PECB CDPO in a way that was easy to apply on the job, and I passed the exam on my first attempt.
I'd been putting off Certified Data Protection Officer (GDPR) certification for a while, but the self-paced format made it manageable alongside a full-time job. Learning to strengthen our information security posture felt achievable within a few weeks.
This course sharpened skills I already had and filled in the gaps around PECB CDPO. My manager noticed the difference within a month of me completing the Certified Data Protection Officer (GDPR) certification.
I compared a few providers before choosing Profice for my Certified Data Protection Officer (GDPR) certification, and I'm glad I did. The materials on PECB CDPO were current and the support team answered every question quickly.
Great value for the depth of content. The Certified Data Protection Officer (GDPR) training covered PECB CDPO thoroughly, and the exam voucher being included made budgeting for it simple.
Career Opportunities After This Training
A data protection officer monitors GDPR compliance, advises on obligations and acts as the contact point for regulators and data subjects. The Certified DPO course equips you for this legally recognised role.
Hiring Companies
Average Salary
A privacy consultant helps organisations handle personal data lawfully — running DPIAs, mapping data flows and closing compliance gaps. GDPR and DPO training gives you the framework clients expect.
Hiring Companies
Average Salary
A data protection compliance manager embeds GDPR into everyday operations, from policies to breach response. The Certified DPO course provides the practical compliance grounding this role requires.
Hiring Companies
Average Salary
Frequently Asked Questions
A PECB credential proving you have the knowledge and skills to serve as a Data Protection Officer and help an organisation comply with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
No. The role blends privacy, compliance and information security. The course covers the legal essentials of GDPR, so a legal degree isn't required — an understanding of data handling helps.
The exam is an essay-type, open-book paper of roughly 3 hours. You need the passing score set by PECB (generally around 70%). After passing you receive a 'Certificate of Exam Success', and the full certification is issued once you also meet PECB's professional-experience requirements.
A DPO monitors GDPR compliance, advises on data protection obligations, conducts Data Protection Impact Assessments, and acts as the contact point for supervisory authorities and data subjects.
Yes — GDPR applies to any organisation handling EU residents' data, and the DPO role is legally required in many cases, so a recognised DPO certification is in strong demand across sectors.