The CIPT is the first and only IAPP certification of its kind worldwide. It was launched by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) in 2014 to meet the growing need that only technology professionals can fulfil—securing data privacy at all stages of IT product and service life cycles.
The IAPP’s certifications in data protection and privacy law and practice have plugged thousands of professionals into the information economy. The Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT) certification shows the knowledge to build one’s company’s privacy structures from the ground up. With regulators from all over the world calling for tech professionals to factor data privacy into their services and products, the job market for privacy-trained IT pros has never been stronger.
This certification applies to anyone in IT, security, or engineering. CIPT covers privacy by design, security architecture, software engineering, data management or audit. It identifies technology pros that know how to build privacy architecture from its foundation. For individuals, the motivation to become CIPT certified enables you to find more opportunities. For employers, hiring those who are certified or getting current employees certified is a huge benefit, ensuring your tech department has the training and skill set.
CIPT vs. Other IAPP Certifications
There are a few other privacy certifications within the field, but as expressed earlier, it has no comparable certifications. The Certified Information Privacy Manager is for experts in privacy program administration. The Certified Information Privacy Professional has five concentrations and offers practitioners the ability to apply compliance and risk mitigation strategies better. This certification, on the other hand, focuses on how to implement privacy in day-to-day operations and know-how to appropriately develop the right team to execute it. Compared to its other affiliated certifications, the CIPT is for the technology employee who is hands-on in privacy protection and security.
Preparing for the CIPT Exam
To get certified, you will need to pass an 85-question multiple-choice exam, with two and a half hours allotted to finish. The test takes place at the testing centre online, and you may schedule it up to 90 days in advance. A passing mark depends on how many questions were answered correctly. Scores for all tests vary, but they are all converted to a scale of 100 to 500, with a mark of 300 as the minimum passing score. After you take the test, it could take up to 2 months to process.
Before this step, however, professionals will need to prepare thoroughly. Certification tests are tough, and many first-timers have gotten tripped up. Experts suggest training and study for at least 30 hours before the exam.
Most professionals participate in a reputable PDPA training course. These PDPA courses focus on the core knowledge needed to pass the exam. Trainers are aware of the areas focused on in the test and teach to those but are not privy to the actual exam questions. When determining which course to take, professionals should seek out a class that’s flexible, well-reviewed, and comprehensive.
Be sure to explore all the testimonials and reviews. Also, look at their exam pass ratings, which offers great insight into how transferrable the training is to the actual test.
As most professionals are already busy with their jobs, flexibility is vital. That means you need a choice that you can access online. Find something that works with your schedule, whether that is online or in-person.
To see whether the training is comprehensive, check out your textbook. Review it from the start, seeing what you know and the where gaps are. It’s unlikely you will be an expert on everything—that’s what training aims to accomplish.
During the training course, participants should expect real-world situations as well as practice exams. It’s essential to learn how to apply principles before taking a sample test.
