DPOs need to speak the language of business to command the executive table

As the pace of innovation accelerates, particularly given the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven technologies, data protection practitioners are increasingly required to advise C-suite executives. The latest IAPP Privacy Governance Report highlights that over 80% of data protection practitioners now manage responsibilities beyond traditional data protection, including AI governance, data ethics, cybersecurity, and platform liability. Despite this expanded scope, data protection is still often perceived as a compliance cost rather than a strategic enabler. In reality, data protection practitioners are at the core of complex, high-stakes decisions that shape market trust and business growth. The report correctly argues that this is the moment to redefine the role of data protection, highlighting how it drives responsible innovation, operational resilience, and long-term value by communicating risks in business terms that command executive attention.

As such, privacy by design is key and must be embedded early in product development, reducing costly rework and building trust from the outset. Standardised frameworks and predictable review processes accelerate market entry when engineering and product teams understand their data protection responsibilities. 

However, for data protection practitioners to gain influence, they must speak the language of business strategy, demonstrating how their work directly supports growth, market differentiation, and customer loyalty. This involves sustained collaboration across product, engineering, marketing, and sales teams and, in the process, changing the perception of data protection practitioners from compliance gatekeepers into strategic partners. In a world where consumer trust is paramount, privacy and data protection drive growth, resilience, and long-term value, defining responsible innovation and trusted customer relationships. It's time to make this case. 

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