--- title: "Data Protection Officer: A New Standard Title in IT?" description: "If new EU data protection legislation becomes law as expected, companies that do business in Europe will soon need to recruit for a new senior-level IT job: Data Protection Officer." canonical_url: https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/data-protection-officer-new-standard-title-it/ locale: en last_updated: 2026-10-27 --- [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) # Data Protection Officer: A New Standard Title in IT? If new EU data protection legislation becomes law as expected, companies that do business in Europe will soon need to recruit for a new senior-level IT job: Data Protection Officer. [Learn More](https://www.acronis.com/en/products/cyber-protect/) [![Image 2: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png)](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/ "Acronis Editorial Team") [Acronis Editorial Team](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/) 1 min read Last updated 26 January 2015 If new EU data protection legislation becomes law as expected, companies that do business in Europe will soon need to recruit for a new senior-level IT job: Data Protection Officer. The legislation, and the mandated new role, is the latest development in EU officials' increasing focus on data protection and privacy regulations. Any company that does business in Europe or that handles data for European consumers would need to comply or risk stiff, seven-figure fines. The “data protection officer” (DPO) role would be largely independent, reporting directly to a company's senior management, according to Network World. Primary responsibilities would include: * Auditing a company's data privacy and protection policies and compliance * Reporting any violations to senior management * Registering the DPO's identity with relevant EU regulatory agencies and the public If the law passes, it would be the first legally mandated data protection position in the world. One big challenge for companies, however, will be hiring candidates with the right experience and credentials for the job, says Carolyn Holcomb, who leads PricewaterhouseCoopers' data protection and privacy practice. _Read more at Network World_ ### Must Reads: **Inside the Guts of a Data Center** Data center technology is changing to keep pace with companies' growing data needs. The Wichita Business Journal offers a behind-the-scenes look at one such data center from ISG Technology. The company is experimenting with new technologies to increase performance and energy efficiency, including a "hot aisle-cold aisle system" to quickly cool the server room. _Read more at Wichita Business Journal_ **The Insider Threat of Government Data Loss** Internal employees are among the biggest threats to company data. Cisco found that 20 percent of IT leaders consider disgruntled employees the biggest data loss threat, a fear that extends to the public sector, too. Security experts gathered this week in Australia to discuss the insider threat posed by government workers, whether their intentions are malicious or innocent. _Read more at CSO_ **Apple Eyes Healthcare with iPhone 6 Launch** The world is buzzing about the (supposedly) soon-to-be-announced iPhone 6. One traditional industry where the new device is expected to make waves is healthcare. There’s big potential in mobile health, though Apple and healthcare companies must address lingering data protection challenges to keep sensitive data safe and secure. _Read more at Marketplace_ _Image via Can Stock Photo_ [Cybersecurity](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cybersecurity/) [Cyber protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cyber-protection/) ## Written by ![Image 3: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png) Acronis Editorial Team Acronis is a global cyber protection company that provides natively integrated cybersecurity, data protection, and endpoint management for managed service providers (MSPs), small and medium businesses (SMBs), and enterprise IT departments. [Previous post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/automate-simplify-your-life-watch-4-minute-automation-demo/) [Automate – Simplify your Life. Watch a 4-minute Automation Demo.](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/automate-simplify-your-life-watch-4-minute-automation-demo/) [Next post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/what-consider-hypervisor-backup-configuration-and-data/) [What to Consider for Hypervisor Backup: The Configuration and the Data](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/what-consider-hypervisor-backup-configuration-and-data/) About Acronis Acronis is a leader in AI-native cyber protection, unifying data protection, cybersecurity, IT operations and hybrid infrastructure to deliver business continuity, security and compliance with less cost and complexity. More than 21,000 service providers trust Acronis to protect over 750,000 businesses in 150 countries. Acronis is headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. [Add as a preferred source on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=acronis.com) ## Related stories Want to learn more? Read the latest stories featuring this solution on our blog. 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