How to Stand Out as a DPO – Episode 211 of the Data Protection Made Easy Podcast

In this week’s episode of the Data Protection Made Easy podcast, our expert hosts Joe Kirk, Catarina Santos, and Phil Brining came together to explore one of the most popular and debated topics in the data protection space: what it takes to stand out as a Data Protection Officer (DPO) in today’s fast-evolving landscape.

With over 200 episodes under our belt, Data Protection Made Easy has always been about honest, accessible conversations—and this one was no different. Episode 211 sparked lively discussion, professional debate, and some healthy disagreements between our hosts, all of which reflect the complexity and diversity of views in our field.

We tackled the key ingredients that make a truly exceptional DPO:

• What skills separate a great DPO from a good one?
• How much does certification and formal training matter?
• Is legal knowledge more important than technical awareness?
• How do you build influence within an organisation as a DPO?
• What are hiring managers really looking for in a data protection lead?

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is that there is no single “correct” route to becoming a successful DPO. Some of our speakers emphasised strong legal backgrounds, while others focused on communication, pragmatism, and an understanding of real-world implementation. It’s this range of perspectives—and the opportunity for our community to challenge and expand on them—that makes our podcast so valuable.

Whether you’re:

• An aspiring DPO looking to break into the industry,
• A practicing DPO interested in sharpening your approach,
• Or an employer or recruiter trying to understand what makes an impactful DPO,

this episode is packed with practical advice, reflection, and a few strong opinions that will get you thinking.

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Up Next: Episode 212 – GDPR Radio

Join us next Friday for GDPR Radio, our fortnightly roundup of data protection news, enforcement actions, and thought-provoking discussions. If you want to stay ahead of regulatory developments and understand what’s shaping our industry in real time, this is the place to be.

Thank you for being part of the Data Protection Made Easy community—see you next week!