IAPP will certify government privacy officials

The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) has developed a privacy certification program tailored to federal, state and local employees and to company employees that support government agencies.

IAPP officials said the curriculum covers privacy laws, regulations and policies, including the Privacy Act, E-Government Act and Freedom of Information Act. The association has created educational and testing standards in areas in which IAPP officials said few standards exist.

IBM is underwriting the certification program.

“The standards for privacy protection should be high, and particularly so when government is the one discharging privacy and civil liberties responsibilities,” said Harriet Pearson, vice president of corporate affairs and chief privacy officer at IBM, in a statement accompanying IAPP’s June 30 announcement.