CDPSE
Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer · ISACA
The CDPSE proves you can build privacy into systems and data processing: privacy governance, risk management and compliance, data lifecycle management and, above all, privacy engineering. It is one of the few privacy certifications aimed at engineers rather than lawyers. Its strength is that technical angle, useful alongside the GDPR; its limit is that it is less known than the IAPP certifications (CIPP/E, CIPT) and does not replace legal expertise.
- Exam
- 120 multiple-choice questions in 3 h 30, scaled score from 200 to 800 with a pass mark of 450. In a PSI test centre or online with remote proctoring.
- Exam price
- $575ISACA member price; non-members pay US$760. A US$50 application fee is due when applying for certification after passing.
- Required experience
- Three years of cumulative experience across the CDPSE domains, within the ten years before applying. No waivers.
- Validity and maintenance
- At least 20 CPE hours per year and 120 over 3 years, plus an annual fee of US$45 (members) or US$85 (non-members).
- Format
- Multiple choice
Who is it for?
Architects, engineers, data specialists and privacy team members who implement GDPR requirements in systems, with a few years of experience in the field.
Domains covered
- Privacy governance: 20%
- Privacy risk management and compliance: 18%
- Data lifecycle management: 23%
- Privacy engineering: 39%
Belinda’s take
Information checked on 2 October 2026 against the official site. Prices exclude tax and training, and may change.
The certification names mentioned are trademarks of their respective owners. KrakenShield is not affiliated with any certification body and does not reproduce any exam question.
