GDPR jobs and Data Protection jobs set to rise significantly in 2017/2018

GDPR jobs (General Data Protection Regulation) will be in high demand during 2017 and 2018 as businesses start to get to grips with the upcoming legislation that will affect everyone. GDPR will go live on the 25^th May 2018.  Where there is new compliance requirements, inevitably there is a demand for skills and knowledge – hence the massive growth of

GDPR is a regulation by which the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission intend to strengthen and unify data protection for all individuals within the European Union (EU). It also addresses the export of personal data outside the EU. The primary objective is to provide individuals with control of their personal data and to simplify the regulatory environment. Brexit will not affect the introduction of GDPR according to the Government – especially if you supply goods or services into the EU.

Implementation of GDPR will require complex business process / practice and software level changes - particularly any company where they process data overseas (even more so if it is outside the EU). If companies process data in certain countries where the local laws conflict with GDPR then they will need to act accordingly.

Companies will need to have a fundamental look at how they deal with data currently, how they will deal with it in the future and importantly educate their workforce accordingly.  Systems and processes will need to be reviewed to ensure that they have the appropriate levels of audit, control, access and removal.

Why do companies need to act fast? Fundamentally there are huge fines for companies that breach the law. Regulators can fine companies who do not comply with the legislation - up to 4% of their global turnover or 20m Euros (approximately £15.8m), whichever is greater. Now there is an incentive! The ICO (Information Commissioners Office) can also impose a total ban on data processing by the organisation found to be in breach of its obligations.

Privacy is now big business, with consultants, contractors and lawyers lining up to advise companies on how to implement the changes and make sure their policies and procedures are in order. The need to have data protection officers will increase recruitment in this area.

Some of the key implications GDPR will have on businesses:

• The requirement to register with the Information Commissioner's Office will be scrapped. Instead you will have to keep full records of any data processed, including the type of data and the purpose it is used for. You will also need to give much more detailed notices to people you collect information from.
• You may need to designate a Data Protection Officer to take responsibility for data protection compliance.
• Right to be forgotten - An individual can require that their personal data is erased
• Consent to processing of personal data must be freely given, specific, informed, unambiguous and displayed by a statement or by a clear affirmative action.
• Breach Notification.  The GDPR imposes a mandatory breach notification scheme. Breaches (accidental or unlawful loss, alteration or unauthorised access to personal data) will have to be reported to the ICO within 72 hours.
• Data portability - A new concept of data portability has been introduced. This will enable data subjects to transfer their personal data in a commonly-used electronic format from one data controller to another, enabling people to switch between service providers more easily.
• Subject Access Requests - You will not be able to charge for complying with a request and will have a month to comply rather than the current 40 days.

As one would expect the volume of jobs quoting GDPR, according to Technojobs Data, has seen a huge rise to date – attracting an average salary of £60,000. The job titles likely to increase are Data Protection, Data Management and Data Governance etc.  Additionally, there will be opportunities for Project Managers and Change Managers who have strong data management experience.

As demand increases for these skills, supply will become limited and therefore Businesses need to act fast to generate a talent pool of relevant candidates.

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The IDM offer marketing courses and qualifications to equip you with an understanding of the changes upcoming as part of the GDPR and how they impact your marketing. Get up to speed with a one-day, face-to-face General Data Protection Regulation: Essentials Course or complete a short GDPR online Award and future-proof your career today.

Author is Anthony Sherick; Technojobs – If you are considering hiring Data Protection candidates or would like to discuss attracting data candidates – get in touch here with Anthony