How to Be Data Controller - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Nov 23, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Data Controller is a person or organization that oversees the collection and usage of data. They are responsible for making sure that the data is stored safely and used in accordance with the law. When a Data Controller does not take the necessary steps to protect the data, it can have serious effects.

For example, their actions can lead to data breaches, identity theft, and potential financial losses. if the Data Controller does not follow established regulations and laws, they can face serious legal repercussions, such as fines and jail time. To avoid these consequences, Data Controllers must ensure that they adhere to all applicable laws and regulations governing data protection.

Steps How to Become

Understand the responsibilities of a Data Controller. A Data Controller is responsible for the management and protection of any personal or sensitive data that is collected and stored. This includes ensuring that the data is handled securely and in accordance with any applicable laws or regulations.
Research applicable laws and regulations. Research the laws and regulations that must be followed when collecting and storing personal or sensitive data. This may include the GDPR or other local laws or regulations.
Create a data protection policy. Create a data protection policy that outlines how personal or sensitive data should be handled, protected and retained. This policy should be shared with all employees that have access to the data, as well as any third parties that may be involved in the collection, storage or processing of the data.
Implement data protection measures. Implement technical and organizational measures to ensure that the data is protected. This includes measures such as encryption, access control, password protection and logging.
Regularly audit data protection procedures. Regularly audit the data protection procedures to ensure that they are being followed correctly and that any changes in the law or regulations are being adhered to.
Monitor data usage. Monitor the usage of the data to ensure that it is being used for legitimate purposes only.
Educate staff. Educate staff on their responsibilities when it comes to handling personal or sensitive data, as well as any new laws or regulations that may affect them.
Respond to data subject requests. Respond to any requests from individuals whose data is being stored in a timely manner and in accordance with any applicable laws or regulations.

The increasing demand for qualified data controllers has become a cause for concern, as the need for professionals to manage and secure data has outpaced the number of talented individuals available. This has resulted in many companies failing to find the ideal candidate for their data controller role. The lack of qualified data controllers is also putting organisations at risk, as data breaches are more likely when the right personnel are not present to implement security measures. To address this challenge, businesses must focus on recruiting skilled professionals and providing them with the necessary training and resources to ensure that their data remains safe and secure.

You may want to check Systems Controller, Network Controller, and Cost Controller for alternative.

Job Description

Data Controller: responsible for managing, protecting and processing personal data in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and company policies. Responsibilities include: developing and implementing data protection policies and procedures; monitoring compliance with data protection laws; overseeing data security systems; responding to data subject access requests; responding to security incidents; conducting data protection impact assessments; and providing advice and training on data protection.
Data Analyst: responsible for collecting, processing, analyzing, and interpreting data to identify trends, patterns, and relationships. Responsibilities include: developing, testing, and implementing data models; creating and running queries; interpreting data; creating visualizations; writing reports; and providing feedback on data-related initiatives.
Database Administrator: responsible for the installation, configuration, maintenance, tuning, and troubleshooting of databases. Responsibilities include: designing and creating databases; creating database users; managing backups; monitoring system performance; implementing security measures; and providing technical support for database users.
Business Intelligence Analyst: responsible for creating, developing, and implementing strategies to extract useful insights from data. Responsibilities include: gathering business requirements; creating reports and dashboards; developing data models; writing SQL queries; analyzing trends; and presenting insights to stakeholders.
Data Engineer: responsible for designing, developing, and implementing systems to collect, store, process, analyze, and visualize data. Responsibilities include: writing code to extract, transform, and load (ETL) data; designing schemas and data models; creating data pipelines; building data warehouses; and monitoring system performance.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of data collection and storage techniques.
Knowledge of data security protocols and best practices.
Ability to analyze large amounts of data and make decisions.
Knowledge of data protection and privacy laws.
Understanding of basic principles of data analytics.
Familiarity with database systems, programming languages, and software development tools.
Ability to create complex queries to extract data from databases.
Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders and explain their data findings.
Knowledge of data visualization techniques and tools.
Understanding of ethical considerations related to the use of data.

The ability to effectively analyze data and make informed decisions is essential for any organization, and having a data controller with the necessary skill set is key. Data controllers are responsible for collecting, reviewing, and interpreting data that is then used to make decisions. They must have the capability to identify trends and patterns in data, draw meaningful conclusions, and communicate their findings to relevant stakeholders.

A strong knowledge of statistics, mathematics, and computer programming is essential for any data controller, as it allows them to create dynamic models and simulations that can be used to analyze data. good problem solving skills and the ability to think critically are also important skills for a data controller to have, as they often need to be able to identify and solve complex problems on the fly. With these skills, a data controller can provide invaluable insights into a company's operations and help make more informed decisions.

Plant Controller, Production Controller, and Risk Controller are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in data control?
How do you ensure the accuracy and integrity of data?
What kinds of data control systems have you used in the past?
What experience do you have with implementing data security measures?
How do you work with teams to ensure data is managed effectively?
What processes do you use to keep data up-to-date?
How do you handle confidential information?
How do you identify and respond to data risks?
What methods do you use to monitor data quality?
How do you ensure compliance with data regulations?

Common Tools in Industry

Data Warehouse. A data warehouse is a system used for reporting and data analysis, and is considered a core component of business intelligence. It is a collection of technologies aimed at enabling the retrieval, analysis and presentation of data from heterogeneous sources. (e. g. Amazon Redshift)
Business Intelligence Tools. A business intelligence tool is a software application used to analyze and report on data to identify patterns and trends. It enables organizations to make better decisions by providing access to valuable insights from their data. (e. g. Tableau)
Data Visualization Tools. Data visualization tools are used to create charts, graphs, and other visual representations of data. They can help users uncover relationships between data points and draw conclusions from them. (e. g. Power BI)
ETL Tools. ETL tools are used to extract data from multiple sources, transform it into a standardized form, and load it into a single destination. They can help automate the process of gathering, cleaning, and organizing data from different sources. (e. g. Talend)
Database Management Systems. Database management systems are used to store, manage, and query data. They provide an organized way to store and access data, as well as a set of tools for manipulating it. (e. g. MySQL)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
Information Systems Security Association (ISSA)
Cloud Security Alliance (CSA)
Institute of Information Security Professionals (IISP)
Association of Information Security Professionals (AISP)
Internet Security Alliance (ISA)
National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA)
Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)
International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2)
International Association of Computer Investigation Specialists (IACIS)

We also have Configuration Controller, Quality Controller, and Budget Controller jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Data Controller. An individual or organization that determines the purpose and means of processing personal data.
Personal Data. Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (data subject).
Data Subject. An identifiable natural person who is the subject of personal data.
Processing. Any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data or on sets of personal data.
Data Protection. The safeguarding of personal data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
GDPR. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the European Union's comprehensive data protection law that came into effect in May 2018. It regulates how companies process, store, and protect personal data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Data Controller?

A Data Controller is an individual or organization that determines how personal data is processed, collected, stored and used.

Who is responsible for complying with the data protection regulations?

The Data Controller is responsible for ensuring that all applicable data protection regulations are being complied with.

What are the rights of data subjects?

Data subjects have the right to access their data, the right to rectify inaccurate data, the right to erasure, the right to restrict processing, the right to data portability, the right to object to processing, and the right to not be subject to automated decision making.

What is the role of the Data Protection Officer?

The Data Protection Officer (DPO) is responsible for monitoring the compliance of the Data Controller's data processing activities with applicable data protection regulations. The DPO is also responsible for providing advice and guidance on data protection compliance issues.

What is a Privacy Impact Assessment?

A Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) is a process used to assess the potential privacy risks associated with a particular data processing activity. The PIA assesses the nature, scope, context and purposes of the processing, as well as the risks posed to the rights and freedoms of individuals.

Web Resources

GDPR - Responsibilities of Data Controllers.docx - Academia.edu www.academia.edu
Office of the Controller | Appalachian State University controller.appstate.edu
Home | Office of the University Controller - IU controller.iu.edu