{"id":9274,"date":"2023-08-23T08:08:49","date_gmt":"2023-08-23T14:08:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/board.org\/?p=9274"},"modified":"2026-01-30T00:42:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T06:42:42","slug":"5-focus-areas-for-chief-privacy-officers-heading-into-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/board.org\/dataprivacy\/resources\/5-focus-areas-for-chief-privacy-officers-heading-into-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"5 focus areas for Chief Privacy Officers heading into 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; column_margin=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_tablet=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_phone=&#8221;default&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; row_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; row_border_radius_applies=&#8221;bg&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; column_element_spacing=&#8221;default&#8221; desktop_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8221;none&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_position=&#8221;default&#8221; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; border_type=&#8221;simple&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]\n<p><strong>Key takeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Looking ahead, data governance and lifecycle management will be critical elements of focus for data privacy leaders.<\/li>\n<li>Historically, much of privacy experts\u2019 knowledge focused on regulation, but there\u2019s increasing demand for tech expertise.<\/li>\n<li>Skills like collaboration and conflict management are essential \u2014 particularly on the risk management side of operations \u2014 to appropriately articulate privacy risks to the enterprise.<\/li>\n<li>There\u2019s the growing notion of a Chief Trust Officer, and some privacy leaders see themselves as aligned with this title, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=&#8221;Full Width Line&#8221; line_thickness=&#8221;1&#8243; divider_color=&#8221;default&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; column_margin=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_tablet=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_phone=&#8221;default&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; row_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; row_border_radius_applies=&#8221;bg&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; column_element_spacing=&#8221;default&#8221; desktop_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8221;none&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_position=&#8221;default&#8221; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; border_type=&#8221;simple&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]\n<p>In the age of digital transformations and big data, privacy is top-of-mind for both corporations and their consumers.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, very few areas have undergone such rapid growth in terms of public awareness.<\/p>\n<p>IAPP reflected on the last decade of change in their <a href=\"https:\/\/iapp.org\/media\/pdf\/resource_center\/iapp_20_visions_of_privacy.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Visions of Privacy<\/a> report, where industry leaders agreed that privacy is more relevant than ever.<\/p>\n<p>In the report, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/omer-tene-a86b363\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Omer Tene<\/a>, then IAPP Vice President and Chief Knowledge Officer, said 20 years ago, when you\u2019d tell someone you worked in privacy, you\u2019d often be met with a blank stare \u2014 it was confused with IT or cybersecurity.<\/p>\n<p>But today, Omer said people\u2019s \u201ceyes light up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEveryone has their favorite privacy story, concern, gripe, or fascination,\u201d Omer said. \u201cNo doubt, privacy and data protection have arrived.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>All this growth begs the question, what will the chief privacy officers of the future look like? Where\u2019s the next focus, and what skills do you need in order to get there?<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what enterprise privacy leaders see approaching the horizon.<\/p>\n<h2>1. A Larger Focus on Governance<\/h2>\n<p>During a <a href=\"https:\/\/go.board.org\/evolving-data-privacy-roles?_gl=1*e6vwnz*_ga*NjYyNDcyODE1LjE2OTUzOTgwMTU.*_ga_LKGTYTDQ9M*MTcwOTc1OTU0OC4yMTguMS4xNzA5NzYyNzM5LjYwLjAuMA..\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Data Privacy Board panel<\/a> on industry evolutions, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/xochitl-monteon-98a9131\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Xochitl Monteon<\/a>, Vice President and Chief Privacy Officer at Intel, said looking ahead, data governance, and lifecycle management are critical elements of focus.<\/p>\n<p>Enterprises can\u2019t properly protect and report on personal data if they aren\u2019t already effectively governing and managing their data assets.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cWe\u2019re looking at confidentiality, integrity, and availability. I think those components are really foundational as we begin to expand the broader privacy skill sets and have dialogues with not only our technologist but also our customers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Xochitl Monteon, Intel<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Whether you\u2019re directly responsible for governance or work with those teams, you need to know how it\u2019s affecting your privacy program and initiatives.<\/p>\n<p>In an off-the-record conversation, Data Privacy Board members shared how they\u2019re navigating and delineating privacy and governance responsibilities. Regardless of department structure, everyone reported working closely with the governance staff, as the overlap can be significant depending on the project at hand.<\/p>\n<p>Some notable areas for cooperation included privacy\u2019s data mapping, which can bolster catalogs that data teams are building. One member has intentionally set up their data mapping so that it feeds into the governance system in a categorized fashion, which will hopefully save some time for the governance team.<\/p>\n<h2>2. Bolstering Your Technical Knowledge<\/h2>\n<p>During the panel, Marriott Vacations Worldwide Vice President and Head of Global Privacy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/andrew-bjerken-ciso\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Drew Bjerken<\/a> echoed Xochitl\u2019s thoughts and said that as the privacy space continues to expand, governance is a natural fit in terms of data use.<\/p>\n<p>But Drew also said this brings the need to grow your technical chops as a privacy leader. While historically, much of privacy experts\u2019 knowledge focused on regulation, there\u2019s increasing demand for tech expertise.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not saying necessarily the chief privacy officer has to do that, but privacy in general,\u201d Drew said.<\/p>\n<p>This desire for more technical skills is evident in <a href=\"https:\/\/board.org\/dataprivacy\/resources\/recruiting-the-right-people-for-your-privacy-program-in-a-competitive-market\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">recent privacy recruiting trends<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/info.trustaffingpartners.com\/2022-data-privacy-jobs-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TRU Staffing Partners job report<\/a> found that while privacy lawyers have been in demand for years, the industry is seeing a shift toward more technical roles like analysts and engineers, which are particularly important for ensuring regulatory compliance.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Tending to Your \u201cSoft Skills\u201d<\/h2>\n<p>While it\u2019s clear some privacy folks may need to raise their technical acumen, you can\u2019t neglect your softer business skills.<\/p>\n<p>Drew said, \u201cI always tell folks that in the privacy space, like any other space, we\u2019re a business leader first.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Skills like collaboration and conflict management are essential \u2014 particularly on the risk management side of operations \u2014 to appropriately articulate privacy risks to the enterprise.<\/p>\n<p>Drew shared that it\u2019s also important to recognize that privacy is very much a position focused on customer service.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cAs CPOs, I think understanding and recognizing that you are in that customer service-focused arena, you\u2019re going to have to adapt your skill sets to meet those requirements and demands.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Drew Bjerken, Marriott Vacations Worldwide<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/caroline-parks-88943915\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Caroline Parks<\/a>, Senior Director and Corporate Privacy Counsel at Expedia Group, was in agreement.<\/p>\n<p>When looking for new privacy talent, she said she looks for attributes like curiosity and creativity, which are essential if you\u2019re going to exist in a complex environment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou can no longer solve privacy challenges by following a simple two-step process,\u201d Caroline said. \u201cYou need to be asking questions, and you need to want to constantly learn. I\u2019m still learning every day in this career.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>4. Growing Interest in the Idea of a Chief Trust Officer<\/h2>\n<p>Now more than ever, trust is a prevailing corporate issue that can significantly impact performance.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwc.com\/us\/en\/library\/trust-in-business-survey-2023.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PwC\u2019s 2023 Trust Survey<\/a> found that 91% of executives said they\u2019re ability to earn and maintain trust improves the bottom line.<\/p>\n<p>While there\u2019s an agreement that stakeholder trust is vital, there\u2019s less clarity about how to obtain it \u2014 and there\u2019s even less agreement on where the responsibility should lie.<\/p>\n<p>This leads to the growing idea of a chief trust officer, and many privacy leaders see themselves as aligned with this role.<\/p>\n<p>After all, privacy plays a key part in the business effort to build trust and accountability. In PwC\u2019s survey, compliance, especially as it relates to privacy, was the top focus for business executives over the next 12 months.<\/p>\n<p>During the panel discussion, this notion resonated with Drew, who said, \u201cI see myself as that advocate for the customer\u2019s point of view to make sure that anything we\u2019re doing in operating builds that trust and transparency with them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Xochitl also highlighted the trend of trust office sites bringing together cybersecurity, privacy, and compliance to ensure transparency and said, \u201cI think that\u2019s going to continue in the current environment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Caroline agreed the trust officer component is becoming more apparent in the privacy space, particularly with expanding artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cI often call myself a critical friend. We\u2019re all going in the same direction, but I might be the one that holds them up and says, \u2018Is there a better way?\u2019 For me, that consistent but principled approach helps to give the business that extra lens.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Caroline Parks, Expedia Group<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>5. Navigating an Evolving Field<\/h2>\n<p>Regardless of where the industry is headed, one thing is certain \u2014 it will continue to be an exciting time to work in data privacy. Data has changed and will continue to change the world dramatically, and privacy work has never been more relevant to our lives.<\/p>\n<p>Based on this, Caroline said there\u2019s value in your ability to \u201cfuture gaze\u201d \u2014 privacy folks need to understand what\u2019s coming down the pipeline, not just in privacy but the wider business landscape.<\/p>\n<p>Still, navigating a rapidly growing field is undoubtedly challenging. That\u2019s why your ability to benchmark with your industry peers is so valuable.<\/p>\n<p>If you could benefit from unbiased peer insights from privacy leaders at companies like Intel, Expedia Group, and Marriott Vacations Worldwide, get in touch below.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;full_width_background&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; column_margin=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_tablet=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_phone=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image=&#8221;10232&#8243; bg_position=&#8221;left top&#8221; background_image_loading=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_repeat=&#8221;no-repeat&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; top_padding=&#8221;75px&#8221; bottom_padding=&#8221;50px&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; row_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; row_border_radius_applies=&#8221;bg&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; gradient_type=&#8221;default&#8221; shape_type=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; column_element_spacing=&#8221;default&#8221; desktop_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8221;none&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_position=&#8221;default&#8221; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; border_type=&#8221;simple&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Interested in learning more about membership?&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:35px|text_align:center|color:%23000000|line_height:1.5&#8243; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][divider line_type=&#8221;No Line&#8221; custom_height=&#8221;15px&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;As a leader, your mission is important. We\u2019re here to help you win.&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|font_size:30px|text_align:center|color:%23000000|line_height:1.5&#8243; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][divider line_type=&#8221;No Line&#8221; custom_height=&#8221;15px&#8221;][nectar_btn size=&#8221;medium&#8221; button_style=&#8221;regular&#8221; button_color_2=&#8221;Accent-Color&#8221; color_override=&#8221;#000000&#8243; solid_text_color_override=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; icon_family=&#8221;fontawesome&#8221; text=&#8221;Apply to Join&#8221; icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-chevron-right&#8221; url=&#8221;\/join\/&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Data privacy leaders from Intel, Marriott Vacations Worldwide, and Expedia shared the key areas of focus and skills needed for future CPOs. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":9282,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[204],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-9274","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-dataprivacy","8":"content-type-blog"},"acf":{"boardmc_hide_post_header":null,"boardmc_hide_site_header":null},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9274","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9274"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9274\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9282"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9274"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9274"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9274"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}