Figuring Out ISACA Certifications for Cybersecurity Careers: ⑤ CDPSE
In this fifth piece of the “Figuring Out ISACA Certifications for Cybersecurity Careers”, I’m introducing the certificate titled Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE). You can skip towards the end for more information on prerequisites and salaries you can earn with CDPSE.
ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association®) is one of the world’s leading education and certification center for IT professions including cybersecurity. Started in 1967 by a small group of individuals, ISACA has become a “… centralized source of information and guidance in computer systems as well as an education foundation to undertake large-scale research efforts to expand the knowledge and value of the IT governance and control field.” Accepted widely across sectors, ISACA offers a myriad of education programs in addition to powerful certificates.
Here are eight cybersecurity certificates offered by ISACA, with some of the certifications being cumulative ‘composites’ of several certificates:
- Information Technology Certified Associate (ITCA) (Read about it here)
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) (Read about it here)
- Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) (Read about it here)
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) (Read about it here)
- Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE)
- Certified in Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) (Read about it here)
- CSX Cybersecurity Practicioner (CSX-P)
- Certified in Emerging Technology (CET)
Let’s take a look at the fifth certificate on the list: Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE). According to the information provided by ISACA, the CDPSE is mostly for mid-level IT professionals who have at least 3 years of experience in the domains of privacy governance, privacy architecture, and data lifecycle.
CDPSE is a valid and reliable means for enterprises to identify technologists who are competent in incorporating privacy by design into technology platforms, products and processes, communicating with legal professionals, and keeping the organization compliant efficiently and cost effectively.
Having CDPSE is a way of signalling that you have the technical skills and knowledge it takes to assess, build and implement a comprehensive privacy solution while enhancing business value, customer insights and trust — ultimately improving your potential employer’s image.
Having CDPSE in your resume will grant immense credibility in your interactions with internal stakeholders, regulators, external auditors, and customers. However, there is an experience requirement for taking up CDPSE unlike ITCA. The applicant is expected to have 3 to 5 years of experience in privacy governance, privacy architecture, and data lifecycle. Also, having obtained the ITCA, CISA, and the CRISC certificates before starting is considered a plus. By obtaining the CDPSE certification, you can move up to these careers more easily:
- Privacy Engineer (Average annual US base salary in 2022: $150,844)
- Privacy Solutions Architect (Average annual US base salary in 2022: $133,296)
- Lead Privacy Manager (Average annual US base salary in 2022: $121,755)
- IT Consultant (Average annual US base salary in 2022: $81,027)
- Data Analyst (Average annual US base salary in 2022: $77,358)
The training for the certificate is completely knowledge-based without any hands-on lab-based training, so the process can be done entirely online. Since mid-career IT professionals with 3+ years of experience can easily get a nice bump up in annual salaries with potential career switches, CDPSE is worth pursuing for many of us interested in cybersecurity careers.
P.S.: The CDPSE is a relatively new exam, therefore the exam content or certification requirements may be subject to change. Please check out ISACA’s homepage.
Source: History of ISACA, ISACA Credentialing, Glassdoor, Payscale, Indeed
Note: Before enrolling in the certification program, I highly suggest reading more on ITCA, CISA, CRISC, and CISM.
