Privacy Analyst Salary and Job Description

In recent years, digital privacy has become an area of intense concern. As consumers become increasingly aware of how companies track, store, and use their information, government regulations have emerged to keep this information tracking in check. Meanwhile, high-profile data breaches have confirmed the everyday possibility of sensitive or confidential data being made public; this can be ruinous for consumers and businesses alike.

To help avoid these data breaches and to ensure ongoing legal compliance, many enterprises now hire privacy analysts. These computer-based professionals play an integral role in preserving data confidentiality and promoting digital security. Those who obtain an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Information Technology (IT) or a related field may be well qualified for this role and for earning a competitive privacy analyst salary.

What’s a Privacy Analyst?

The core function of a privacy analyst is to assess an organization’s policies, procedures, and operations to ensure that the company meets best practices for preserving critical or sensitive information. The privacy analyst is sometimes called a compliance specialist since a big part of the job is verifying ongoing compliance with government regulations related to data privacy.

A privacy analyst may also create and implement training programs or distribute educational materials to inform employees about their roles in preserving data and mitigating risk.

What Does a Privacy Analyst Do?

While the exact roles and responsibilities can vary from one organization to the next, a typical job description includes the following:

• Regularly reviewing policies and procedures to ensure data compliance
• Implementing new policies or improving old ones to increase data security
• Staying abreast of changes to government privacy regulations
• Training employees in preserving data security
• Reporting to company leadership and other stakeholders about current risk levels

What’s the Typical Privacy Analyst Salary?

Anyone interested in a privacy analyst role will understandably want to learn more about the earning potential. According to Payscale, the annual median privacy analyst salary is approximately $81,651. 

Many factors can affect the privacy analyst’s salary. These include level of education, years of experience, and geographic location. Additionally, the size of the organization can be a determining factor when assessing salary.

For those seeking a more competitive salary, an important consideration is to pursue a more advanced degree. Certifications in fields related to the law, specifically IT regulation, may also lead to higher earning potential.

How to Become a Privacy Analyst

To succeed as a privacy analyst, developing the right portfolio of skills is important. Doing so involves a formal education as well as some training on the job. Note again that both education and experience level can have a significant impact on a privacy analyst’s salary.

1. Obtain an Undergraduate Degree

To succeed as a privacy analyst, it’s necessary to earn an undergraduate degree, developing some of the foundational skills that are necessary for this role. Because this work is very computer-based, a degree in IT or a cybersecurity-related field is typically preferred. 

2. Gain Experience

Entry-level work in a computer- or an IT-related field can help prepare for ongoing success in privacy analysis. This may mean work in network administration or a more general IT role. 

3. Seek Legal Insight

While IT knowledge is critical for success in the privacy analyst role, it’s equally important to be familiar with the legal and regulatory issues related to a particular industry. Depending on the industry in question, this may mean seeking a certification or simply pursuing additional experience within the field.

4. Consider an Advanced Education

Privacy analyst roles don’t always require an advanced degree, but pursuing a master’s degree in IT or a business-related field can help with skills development. An advanced degree can open more career doors, leading to positions of greater responsibility and authority. It may also lead to an increased salary level.

5. Develop Essential Skills

Through this combination of formal education and field experience, focusing on honing the right set of core competencies is important. The skills that are most necessary for success in the privacy analyst role include the following:

• Attention to detail
• Organization
• Written and verbal communication
• Collaboration
• Basic knowledge of legal and business principles

Prepare for Long-Term Success Ensuring Digital Privacy

As our lives become increasingly digital, the need to preserve online privacy becomes more important. This is as true for business organizations looking to uphold their reputation and maintain goodwill as it is for everyday consumers.

A way to play a role in protecting digital privacy is by working as a privacy analyst. To prepare for long-term success in this field, consider getting an online degree from North Carolina Central University, specifically the BS in IT program. This degree will provide a range of technical skills, along with leadership abilities, that can translate to long-lasting and meaningful work as a privacy analyst and potentially to a competitive privacy analyst salary.

Sources:

CyberSN, Privacy Analyst

Payscale, Average Privacy Analyst Salary

The New York Times, “The State of Consumer Data Privacy Laws in the US (and Why It Matters)”

ZipRecruiter, What Does a Privacy Analyst Do?

ZipRecruiter, What Is a Privacy Analyst and How to Become One