Data security has never been more important. In the wake of the pandemic, we’ve become more digitally connected — and thus more vulnerable.
The impact of data privacy and security on consumers, businesses and governments are some of the greatest challenges facing society today.
The younger generation has also grown up to see their private data as a currency, and they do not take privacy for granted at all, especially online.
This is leading the businesses to be questioned about the data that they collect and store of the consumers- What do they know about me? How are they using that information? Are they selling my data? Mostly the answers aren’t favoured by the users either.
What do Data Privacy lawyers do?
- Laws: Data privacy lawyers focus on diverse and changing laws and regulations that govern areas of data transmitted and stored on computers, including consumer protection laws, privacy laws, and e-discovery issues.
- Data flow management: A data flow map is one of the first things that a company plans for their General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance. This kind of a map helps identify all the information a company has and how it transfers from one location to another.
- Data breach: Despite best practices in place, data breaches are difficult to avoid. There is tremendous opportunity for lawyers as they will be the ones who will be negotiating with the authorities and counselling the client on the other hand.
- Fines: Advising the clients to prevent themselves from adversarial circumstances is the norm, however, handling and extinguishing fires is also the job of a lawyer. Sometimes the fines are massive and can hit any business to the core.
- Drafting contracts & privacy policies: With the advent of sensitive and personal data being regulated now, companies will sign contracts on how to share this data with each other. Also privacy policies will have to be drafted in a way to demonstrate how the private information is being collected, used, stored and secured and what kind of control does that user have on it.
How much do lawyers earn in this field?
As per J.W. Michaels compensation for in-house privacy law team members across a range of Silicon Valley and Washington State Companies indicated compensation at approximately USD 220,000 with up to 25% additional compensation coming in form of equity.
Lawyers who have technical expertise in GDPR can be appointed as data protection officers (DPO). GDPR mandates that every organisation who handles personal data should have data protection officers.
The size of the organisation is irrelevant but the size of and scope of data handling does.
These DPOs are the ones who are responsible for overseeing the company strategy and implementation to ensure the compliance with GDPR requirements.
How much do DPOs earn in different jurisdiction:
Europe: As per GDPR.CASH, a network of GDPR experts, the average annual salary of a data protection officer (DPO) in Europe is as high as €71,584.
US: As per GDPR.CASH again, annual salary of an Officer equivalent to a DPO is approximately $150,000.
UK: As mentioned in UK’s talent.com, entry level DPOs earn £28,000, while experienced DPOs it is £74,489 per year.
India: As per Glassdoor, the average annual salary of a Privacy officer or a Privacy Consultant in India begins from ₹15 lacs and goes upto ₹1 crore for senior roles.
Note that it is not just a Privacy Officer who can handle the data and privacy management of an entire organization. Depending on the volume of data and complexity of processes involved, junior members have to be hired in privacy and data protection roles. There are a lot of entry level jobs that are also getting created for this reason.
Big4 consulting firms (EY, KPMG, Deloitte, PwC) are highly invested in this work as of now.
However, there are various Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) and companies who would not say no to a young lawyer or consultant who can demonstrate that they have the requisite knowledge and experience with this kind of work. There is a lot of potential for growth and opportunities in this area.
It is a great opportunity for young professionals to leave a mark and make a name for themselves in this domain.
If you are interested to work in the field of data protection and privacy management but wondering where to start from:
We are bringing a 3-day FREE LIVE online bootcamp on International career opportunities for lawyers in Data Protection, Privacy Management and Technology Law from 29-21 May, 6-9 pm Indian Standard Time.
You don’t need to have any technical background to start working in this field.
It is okay, if you have never worked in the compliance field before.
During this bootcamp you will be exposed to many of the tasks that a privacy lawyer does.
What we promise you will learn in this bootcamp:
- How to take a decision on international data transfer to and from US, UK, Canada, EU, Singapore, Japan or other countries?
- How to draft a data processing contract/ addendum?
- How to draft a GDPR-compliant privacy policy for a website or mobile app and use it to get more assignments?
- How to conduct a GDPR impact assessment for a startup outside EU?
- How to draft a GDPR impact assessment report?
- How to create a GDPR project implementation plan?
- How to draft your agreement for engagement as a data protection officer?
Where you will learn how to draft privacy policies for a website or mobile app. How to conduct a GDPR impact assessment for a startup outside European Union and how to draft a report for the same.
Mark your calendars today. If you are from a different country ensure that you convert the time and save it in the calendar.
Date and time of the bootcamp:
- 29-31 May
- 6-9pm Indian Standard Time
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