23 July 2025

A Day in the Life of a Data Protection Officer (DPO)

By Jess Pembroke, Director of Information Law Services

After 15 years in the role of Data Protection Officer (DPO), I’m still surprised by how much I genuinely enjoy the work. Every day brings new challenges and questions. If you’ve ever considered a career in data protection, I wholeheartedly encourage you to explore it. It’s more rewarding than you might expect, here is a little rundown of what your day may contain:

8:00 AM – Morning Routine The day starts early with a cup of coffee and a quick scan of the latest news in data protection and cybersecurity. In the news is a recent cyber-attack causing an outage on a major transport network. The DPO reads the ICO response to check if there are any lessons for sharing with their organisation.

9:00 AM – Reporting to the Board Today is the monthly board meeting. The DPO presents a detailed report on the organisation’s data protection status, including statistics on data breaches, if any, and the measures taken to mitigate them. The report also considers recent trends and compliance with Data Rights Requests and Freedom of Information requests. The report is crucial for maintaining accountability and ensuring that the board is aware of any risks and the steps being taken to address them.

11:00 AM – Answering a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) Next, the DPO finishes reviewing a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR). They need to review some redactions to ensure that the response includes appropriate exemptions

1:00 PM – Lunch Break A quick lunch break provides a moment to recharge. It’s also an opportunity to catch up with colleagues and discuss any ongoing projects or concerns. One colleague asks if their new project needs a Data Protection Impact Assessment and if the DPO can help with this.

2:00 PM – Staff Briefing on AI Usage In the afternoon, the DPO drafts an update for an all-staff briefing on the responsible use of AI. This includes guidelines on ensure personal data isn’t shared outside the organisation without appropriate controls and contracts.

3:30 PM – Assessing the Security of a New App The final major task of the day involves assessing the privacy considerations of a new app that the organisation plans to launch.

Late Afternoon: Leadership, Breach Response, and Emerging Issues The day concludes with a focus on leadership and breach response. In a simulated data breach scenario, you practice crisis management and long-term recovery strategies.

Ready to elevate your expertise? Our Intermediate Certificate in Data Protection is designed for professionals like you. Over five courses, you will gain in-depth knowledge and practical skills to implement and manage a successful data protection program. You’ll have the opportunity to network and share common issues with a group of like-minded professionals, learning in a supportive collaborative way.

Course Details:

• Dates and Times:
  • Session 1: Wednesday 15 October, 9:30am-1pm, Information Sharing, Data Processors and Contracts
  • Session 2: Wednesday 15 October, 1:30pm-5pm, Privacy by Design: Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs)
  • Note: No session Thursday 16 October, 9:30am-1pm
  • Session 3: Thursday 16 October, 1:30pm-5pm, Information Security and Data Breach Management
  • Session 4: Friday 17 October, 9:30am-1pm, Data Protection Rights and Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs)
  • Session 5: Friday 17 October,1:30pm-5pm, AI and Information Law: Privacy and Ethical Considerations
• Location: Online

What’s Included:

• Updated factsheets and handouts
• Opportunities to ask questions
• Links to authoritative resources
• A copy of the PPT slides for each of the five courses
• An Intermediate Certificate in Data Protection and a digital badge
• 15 CPD UK Accreditation Points across the five courses

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and ensure your organisation’s compliance. Book your place now!

We are also proud to present the equivalent Intermediate Certificate in Copyright running across October 2025.

If you have any queries or would like further information on either Certificate, please reach out to our Training Manager on info@naomikorn.com.