CIPM Data Privacy Certificate: What it is and How to Get it

As more companies work to develop systems that prioritize privacy protection, individuals who can incorporate Privacy by Design (PbD) principles into a comprehensive privacy program have become highly desirable by employers. Privacy professionals with a Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) Data Privacy Certificate have the training necessary to establish and manage a privacy program throughout its life cycle.

This article explains what a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate is, the benefits of having one, what jobs require a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate, the average salary for a CIPM-certified professional, and the steps you can take to get certified.

What is a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate?

A CIPM Data Privacy Certificate is a certificate that shows that you have taken and passed the CIPM program. The certificate demonstrates your knowledge of how to apply data protection laws in an organization's daily operations, establish a system-wide privacy program, and create a company vision, among other highly desirable skills.

The CIPM program teaches privacy experts how to create, maintain, and manage a privacy program at a company or organization. An effective privacy program relies on leadership skills and knowledge of privacy laws and compliance strategies, all of which the CIPM program teaches, and then tests on.

The CIPM Data Privacy Certificate is offered by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). IAPP is a global information privacy community that provides resources for privacy professionals who want to learn how to help organizations protect data and manage privacy risks.

The CIPM program teaches individuals how to excel at the following:

• Understand the operational life cycle of a privacy program
• Understand data governance (how data is used and managed)
• Establish and maintain a privacy program
• Create a privacy-informed company vision
• Build a data protection team
• Analyze artificial intelligence (AI)
• Implement risk management strategies for vendors
• Measure performance
• Apply privacy laws in an organization's daily operations
• Communicate with stakeholders
• Develop and utilize privacy system frameworks

What are the Benefits of Having a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate?

Having a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate shows organizations that you have the skills necessary to implement, maintain, and manage a privacy program. It comes with a number of benefits.

The benefits of having a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate include but are not limited to the following:

• Certification from a globally recognized program
• Acquisition of the skills needed to create and manage a privacy program that can function in both public and private sectors
• Establishment as a leader in privacy program administration
• Can be combined with other IAPP certifications to meet the requirements of certain privacy laws
• Helps you stand out in a crowd of applicants
• Helps boost your current salary or sets you up for jobs with higher starting salaries
• Opens up doors to career paths that otherwise would have been closed to you

Is a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate a Requirement for Any Jobs?

While it isn't a legal requirement to have a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate to obtain any specific job, many employers seeking to hire individuals to manage or implement privacy programs prefer candidates to have a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate or similar certification.

For instance, Sidley Austin favors applicants for its Privacy Analyst position who have one or more IAPP certifications, including a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate:

Similarly, here's an ad for a Sr. Data Privacy Counsel position where all candidates must have or obtain at least one core IAPP certification, of which a CIPM is one:

And, as privacy becomes more of a hot topic and new privacy laws pop up regularly, more and more businesses and jobs will likely want to hire employees with a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate to help ensure their own compliance.

What Jobs Can You Get With a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate?

Having your CIPM Data Privacy Certificate can help you get hired in many fields, including but not limited to the financial, legal, technological, and marketing industries.

Some positions that a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate can help you get include but are not limited to the following:

• Privacy Technologist
• Data Analyst
• Privacy Analyst
• Privacy Counsel
• Compliance Specialist

What is the Average Salary for CIPM-Certified Professionals?

The average salary for CIPM-certified professionals depends on the company they choose to work for, their role in the organization, and their level of experience. It also depends on the location where the professional will be employed.

While there is no salary data available specifically for CIPM-certified professionals, we researched the average salary for Data Analysts and Privacy Analysts, which are positions that often require candidates to have a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate.

According to Payscale, the average base salary for a Privacy Analyst in the United States is $81,651/year:

Glassdoor lists the average salary for a Data Analyst in the EU as $83,000/year:

How Can You Get a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate?

There are a few simple steps you can take to get your CIPM Data Privacy Certificate.

1. Create an IAPP Account

The first step in getting a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate is signing up for a free account on the IAPP website. You can do this quickly and easily by providing some basic personal information.

You also have the option of purchasing an annual IAPP membership. Membership perks include discounts and access to members-only resources and can help you save money while advancing your career even more.

2. Purchase a CIPM Exam

Once you have created an account, you can purchase an exam. A CIPM exam costs $550 at the time of writing.

You can also purchase related materials, including the following:

• Digital Privacy Program Management textbook: $75
• Digital Practice Exam: $55
• Online training: $1,195

IAPP members get a discount for all products other than the exam.

3. Prepare to Take the Exam

The online training, digital textbook, and digital practice exam can all be used to prepare for the exam.

IAPP also offers free study resources, including:

• Glossary of Privacy Terms
• CIPM Body of Knowledge (available in English, French, Chinese, and German)
• CIPM Exam Blueprint (available in English, French, Chinese, and German)
• Brazilian Portuguese CIPM resources

While the test will have the most up to date information at the time you take it, it's important to be aware that the privacy landscape is continuously evolving, and that it's up to the individual to ensure that they are up to date with legislative changes.

4. Pass the Exam

The CIPM exam can be taken either in-person or online, which makes it very convenient to fit into any schedule and around current working hours. Regardless of the testing format you choose, the exam contains 90 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 2.5 hours. You must take the exam within one year of purchasing the CIPM program or you will have to purchase and pay for it again.

The CIPM exam description explains the skills that it tests, how the exam can be administered, and how to maintain certification:

5. Maintain Certification

Once you pass the exam you must pay a Certification Maintenance Fee to activate your certification. The Certification Maintenance Fee is $250 for non-members and must be renewed every two years to keep it active.

If you are an IAPP member, the Certification Maintenance Fee is built into your membership and will not need to be purchased or paid for separately. IAPP membership for individuals renews annually and ranges from $50 for students to $295 for a professional membership.

Summary

A CIPM Data Privacy Certification is a certification you receive after passing a CIPM exam. It shows that you have a deep understanding of how to create, maintain, and manage a privacy program.

Just a few of the benefits of having a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate include the following:

• Certification from a globally recognized program
• The ability to create, maintain, and manage a privacy program
• Privacy program administration leadership skills

Can be combined with the CIPP/E Data Privacy Certificate to meet the GDPR's Data Protection Officer requirements

While it isn't a legal requirement to have a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate, it is a preference of many businesses and career fields.

Many companies are now requiring a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate or similar certifications for certain positions, including:

• Privacy Technologist
• Data Analyst
• Privacy Analyst
• Privacy Counsel
• Compliance Specialist

While there is currently no salary data specifically for CIPM-certified professionals, Data Analysts and Privacy Analysts are some of the positions that often require a CIPM Data Privacy Certificate.

Privacy Analysts in the United States earn an average base salary of $81,651/year, while Data Analysts in the EU make an average salary of $83,000/year.

Salary rates also differ depending on level of experience outside of the certificate, the industry you work in, and other factors like additional education.

To get your CIPM Data Privacy Certificate, you will need to do the following:

1. Create an account at the IAPP website
2. Purchase the CIPM exam and related products
3. Prepare to take the exam
4. Pass the exam
5. Purchase the Certification Maintenance Fee after passing the exam and every two years. (IAPP membership includes this maintenance fee)