DATA PROTECTION CERTIFICATION TRACK

Become a SECO certified Data Protection Officer (S-CDPO)

Data protection and data breach notification are no longer strictly a media relations issue or PR choice: It is law, and not complying can lead to a financial drain for any business. Maybe even more important, people are becoming more privacy- aware and verbal, so now your most valuable intangible asset is at stake: Your reputation.

We offer the most complete certification track for your career, our learning path enables you to develop from Foundation level all the way up to Certified Data Protection Officer level (CDPO). With a SECO- S-CDPO certification, you will be recognised as a qualified Data Protection Officer, and you will set yourself on a path of career success and continuous professional development.

Together with our certifications, we offer corresponding data protection courses and exams.

Privacy & Data Protection Certifications

Entry level

Data Protection
Foundation
S-DPF title

For anyone who collects, edits or manages personal data. Entry-level data protection or privacy professionals.

Visit the S-DPF Certification page

Advanced level

Data Protection Practitioner
S-DPP title

For (aspiring) Data Protection Officers. GDPR-consultants, privacy consultants or compliance officers, IT or information security professionals looking to specialize in a privacy-related area.

Visit the S-DPP Certification page

Expert level

Data Protection Expert
S-DPE title

For experienced privacy & data protection professionals looking to lead in a CDPO- or similar role. This expert course will focus on specific privacy-related issues a DPO can face in practice.

Expert level

Data Protection Officer
S-CDPO title

For anyone able to demonstrate Practitioner-level knowledge (SECO Practitioner certificate or equivalent) and at least 7 years of relevant work experience.

Visit the S-CDPO Certification page

Your career path to becoming a Data Protection Officer

You want to become a CDPO but where to start? Depending on your level of expertise you may need to study a bit more before claiming the S-CDPO certification title.

Step 1: Join our (S)ECO-System

Register a free student account on our member website (Your training institute will provide more information).
As a registered SECO-student, you will have the opportunity to access valuable extras and ask questions of certified professionals.

Also join our LinkedIn company page. On a daily base we inform you with new courses, interesting articles and much more.

Step 2: Start your course

Step 3: Book your exam

You can book your certification exam with an accredited SECO-partner or directly with the SECO-Institute. Our online examination system allows you to take exams from the convenience of your home or office, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

The SECO-Institute delivers 3 types of certification exams:

  • Foundation exams:
    Foundation exams consist of 40 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have 1 hour to complete the exam. The pass mark is 60%.
  • Practitioner exams:
    Practitioner exams consist of multiple-choice questions, short open-ended questions and a case study. Candidates have 2 hours to complete the exam. The pass mark is 60%.
  • Expert exams [DPE exam is not yet available]:
    Expert exams consist of multiple-choice questions, short open-ended questions and a case study. Candidates have 3 hours to complete the exam. The pass mark is 60%.

Step 4: Claim your certification title and become a SECO member

Upon successful completion of your exam, you will receive a certificate. In the possession of a SECO-certificate, you can apply for a SECO certification title and digital badge (S-DPF, S-DPP, S-DPE, S-CDPO).

If you apply for your certification title you will become a SECO-Institute member.  As a SECO Member, we provide you with networking opportunities and safeguards the value of our certifications by encouraging and stimulating continuing professional development. By becoming a member of our (S)ECO-system and using a SECO title, you demonstrate to employers and fellow professionals that your competence is up to date.

Step 5: Share your knowledge

The (S)ECO-System offers an extensive pool of knowledge and expertise. Our community is a network of worldwide members, certified trainers, course developers and top-level industry experts. We encourage our members to share their knowledge among other members and students by actively joining discussion groups, sharing knowledge through articles & white papers and become a buddy for professionals who seek to enter the career field.