CIPP stands for Certified Information Privacy Professional. In essence, it covers the specifics of data privacy laws and regulations and how they should be applied. For almost a decade, the US, Canadian, and European CIPP credentials have been recognised as the pre-eminent badge of excellence in privacy, covering the “what” of data protection regulations and laws.
A CIPP certification can demonstrate one’s understanding of data protection standards, regulations and practices in this part of the world. CIPP certifications like the Certified Information Privacy Professional/Asia (CIPP/A) is a privacy certification that covers several jurisdictions in the Asian region. It is designed to address the data protection laws in Singapore, Hong Kong, and India.
Once all the requirements have been completed, the designee can showcase their mastery of regulations and enforcement models, jurisdictional laws, and legal requirements for transferring and handling data. The CIPP certification has four distinct concentrations covering a specific region.
- CIPP/E – Europe
- CIPP/A – Asia
- CIPP/C – Canada
- CIPP/US – US private sector
The CIPP/E is the go-to certificate for those who want to demonstrate their proficiency in GDPR and other related legislation that are aimed at the protection of EEA citizens. According to the IAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals), it is also their most popular certification. The Book of Knowledge for the CIPP designation was created by the IAPP. They also issue the certification.
Just like most of their certifications, IAPP recommends at least 30 hours of preparation and study. However, this will depend on whether you are already familiar with the subject or if it is a new field for you. CIPP for US, Europe, and Asia has 90 questions in total. CIPP/C has 5 questions less. Participants will be given 2.5 hours to finish the exam.
Drivers for CIPP Certification
Below are some of the remarkable reasons why you should pursue a CIPP certification/training:
It can help beef up your CV
This one is a given. If two people are considered final candidates for a position, the one with a certification in the area of competencies required for the job has a greater chance of getting it. Also, nowadays, many hiring agents use certifications alongside other keywords to filter the CVs of candidates.
This can also be viewed from another perspective: having a vast domain knowledge but no certifications can be likened to knowing how to drive a car but not having a driver’s license. If anything, a driver’s license is a testament that you know how to drive. In the same manner, having the right certifications can give you a competitive edge.
It can help you qualify for internal promotions
During internal promotions, having the right certifications can help. For starters, certifications are proof that you have the skill and knowledge in the field and that you have invested time and effort to master it. These are considered traits and qualities of above-average employees.
It can be seen as proof of your expertise
A certification can be an assurance that you have in-depth knowledge of the topic and know all there is to know about it. This can be helpful if the company submits an application to a tender.
In similar cases, the requester might list down qualifications that are required. Not having enough qualified employees on the team might result in a lower number of points in the bidding process.
It can serve as assurance for clients
Privacy certificates can help demonstrate knowledge about the subject matter and can help assure customers when they are using the company’s services.