Privacy is a fundamental human right and business imperative. Understanding privacy from both a regulatory and business perspective has become paramount for lawyers in the digital age.

Harvey Jang and Dane Palazzo recognized this burgeoning discipline as an opportunity for a different kind of pro bono initiative, one that blended Cisco’s social justice commitments with pro bono. Their idea: Help HBCU law students earn their Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) credential to enhance their competitiveness in the job market and build a more diverse legal profession.

CIPP certification is offered by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), the largest industry group of its kind with over 80,000 members worldwide. “Most job postings involving data will say CIPP certification is a plus,” explains Jang, Cisco’s chief privacy officer. “It’s a distinguishing factor in a highly competitive job market.”

Palazzo, a privacy team business analyst, worked with IAPP and Cisco’s Social Action team to select an ideal HBCU, organize the event, and secure the textbooks, guides, and materials needed for training. “Southern University Law Center showed great interest, has a strong focus on privacy, and has the kind of passionate, driven students we sought,” he says.

Forty students attended the 16-hour intensive training course following a holiday weekend and are currently preparing for the certification exam. Cisco taught the two-day CIPP course, covering the cost of a program, which could have been a barrier to entry for students. “They now have a foundational understanding of privacy and the transparency, fairness and accountability principles that govern it,” Jang says, “and that’s going to give them an edge in their career going forward.”

Published October 2024