Data Privacy Officers oversee data privacy and protection policies to ensure that the entire organization processes the personal data of their customers, employees, and partners, in accordance with company policies and regulatory compliance requirements. The introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) brought international visibility to the importance of the Data Privacy Officer position, as this enterprise leadership role is required for GDPR compliance in certain businesses.

Data Privacy Officers need to be familiar with governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) tools, and must be able to identify the best course of action for data that enters the organization. These professionals also need an expert knowledge of data protection law, practices, and data rights.