CDP Certification: What it is and How to Get it

Data privacy and data security go hand in hand, as unsecured data can lead to violations of global privacy laws.

Obtaining a Certified in Data Protection (CDP) certification will help you master the nuances of how security and privacy work together when it comes to legally-protected data. It will also help you stand out professionally in a number of growing professions.

This article will explain what this certification is, who it's best suited for, and what the process of obtaining it looks like and will cost.

What is the Certified in Data Protection (CDP) Certification?

The Certified in Data Protection (CDP) certification is a training and certification program offered by the Identity Management Institute.

The program focuses on two major areas of data protection:

• Requirements of privacy regulations, and
• Administrative and technical security controls

The certification program uses the following Critical Risk Domains (CRDs), based on international standards, to train and certify individuals on mastering and implementing international privacy laws and security standards:

After obtaining the certification, individuals should be able to compliantly protect data throughout its entire lifecycle, from acquisition and storage, to processing and transferring it.

Who is the Identity Management Institute?

The Identity Management Institute (IMI) was founded in 2007 as an international organization designed to help professionals around the world obtain certifications and training in areas such as data protection, compliance, technology, governance, identity theft, access controls and fraud prevention.

IMI offers the following 9 professional certifications at the time of writing:

• CIPA - Certified Identity Protection Advisor
• CIAM - Certified Identity and Access Manager
• CRFS - Certified Red Flag Specialist
• CIMP - Certified Identity Management Professional
• CAMS - Certified Access Management Specialist
• CIST - Certified Identity and Security Technologist
• CIGE - Certified Identity Governance Expert
• CDP - Certified in Data Protection
• CMSC - Certified Metaverse Security Consultant

Who Should Get the Certified in Data Protection (CDP) Certification?

The Certified in Data Protection (CDP) Certification is perfect for anyone who wishes to become well-versed in privacy laws, global data security standards, and the most effective data protection practices to implement.

If you're striving to become a recognized expert in the data protection industry, or in a role where data protection is necessary, this certification will be a huge asset for you.

What Professional Fields Will the Certified in Data Protection (CDP) Certification Help With?

Some professional fields where this certification is most helpful include but aren't limited to the following:

• Data Protection Officer
• Information Governance Manager
• Security Control Assessor
• Data Scientist
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Data Engineer
• Database Architect
• IT Systems Analyst
• IT Manager
• IT Security Specialist
• Cybersecurity SME

These professional fields involve the oversight and utilization of legally protected personal data. This means that a good grasp on privacy laws is required, as well as being well-versed on the most cutting edge data security.

Professionals in these fields will deal with data throughout its complete lifecycle, from collection and processing, to secure storage and compliant disposal.

Having a CDP certification will help professionals in these fields by helping them master privacy law compliance as well as data security practices that they can implement at both a high level, as well as in daily data processing methods.

What is the Average Salary for Professionals With a Certified in Data Protection (CDP) Certification?

At the time of writing, the average salary for CDP certification holders is around $165,000.

Is Certified in Data Protection (CDP) Certification Required for any Professions?

While CDP certification is not an explicit requirement for any professions at this time, having this certification will help you ensure data is handled in a compliant way. This makes it very attractive for employees working in positions where compliance with privacy laws like the GDPR is a requirement.

As privacy and data security laws become more prevalent and more strict, companies may begin requiring this and other certifications (such as CIPP, CIPM, and CIPT) for new and existing employees who handle data throughout all stages of its lifecycle, or who work in positions that help ensure data security (such as an IT team).

Why Should You Get the Certified in Data Protection (CDP) Certification?

There are a number of reasons to get this certification, including but not limited to the following:

• You will stand out from other job applicants and employees who do not have it.
• You will enhance your professional standing in an ever changing job market.
• You will gain priceless knowledge on global privacy laws and data security practices that will translate across industries.
• You may increase your earnings capacity.

How Much Does it Cost to Get the Certified in Data Protection (CDP) Certification?

It costs $395 to apply for CDP certification. This fee includes a 60-page study guide and the online examination.

Note that to apply for CDP certification, you must first be an IMI member. The membership cost is $95 for the first year, with annual renewal required to maintain membership.

Membership renewal costs are as follows:

• $95 for members who old one certificate
• $150 for members who old two certificates
• $195 for members who hold three or more certificates

A 10% discount is available if you renew for multiple years at once. IMI requests that you contact IMI to get this discount.

What is the Process to Get the Certified in Data Protection (CDP) Certification?

The process to get CDP certification is as follows:

• Become an IMI member and pay the membership fee of $95.
• Fill out an application for certification and pay the application fee of $395.
• After the application is approved, you will receive an online payment voucher to use on the certification.
• Within about one day, the payment voucher will be processed and you will receive your study guide.
• When you feel you are ready to take the test, you can take it conveniently online at any time.

Please note that in order for your CDP certification application to be accepted, you must show that you have at least 40 points of "experience." Each year of post-high school education and work experience is worth 10 points. You will also receive 10 points for each additional certification you already hold.

What is the Exam Like to Get the Certified in Data Protection (CDP) Certification?

The CDP certification exam is taken online at any time from either desktop or mobile devices that have internet access.

The exam is made up of 100 multiple choice questions. Exam takers must answer at least 70 of the 100 to pass the exam and earn a CDP certification.

If you fail the exam, you will be able to retake it up to 3 additional times at no extra cost.

A practice test is available to help you succeed on the real exam.

How Do You Maintain Your Certified in Data Protection (CDP) Certification?

To maintain your CDP certification you will need to:

• Earn continued education
• Adhere to the IMI Code of Ethics
• Maintain active IMI membership

You will need a total of at least 60 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) for every 3 year period of time, with at least 15 hours earned each year.

Here is a list of activities that count towards CPE time:

• Attending chapter meetings of professional organizations
• Actively participating on a professional association board
• Going to conferences and seminars
• Listening to presentations given by vendors
• Reading books
• Publishing books or articles (every 350 words published counts as 2 hours of CPE)
• Completing college/university courses on relevant topics
• Speaking at conferences
• Creating training materials and/or providing training
• Completing company training sessions with your place of employment
• Conducting research on relevant topics and vendors

Summary

The Certified in Data Protection (CDP) certification offered by the Identity Management Institute (IMI) will help train you on the requirements of privacy regulations, as well as on best practice administrative and technical security controls.

This training and certification will help you comply with privacy laws while offering exceptional security and protection to data under your supervision.

While not legally required, nor explicitly required as a prerequisite for any career, the CDP certification can help you stand out from your professional peers by making you an expert in the complete lifecycle of data security, done in a legally-compliant way.

The CDP certification exam can be easily applied for and taken online from anywhere with internet access.

If you're looking to boost your resume and body of knowledge around data privacy and security, consider obtaining the CDP certification