Find the right Data Protection Auditor in Germany, matched in minutes from over 15,000 CVs with the power of AI.
Assess privacy controls, audit procedures, documentation quality, and compliance gaps with freelancers who understand how a data protection audit is planned, tested, and reported. Get fast, precise matching with vetted professionals holding the Data Protection Auditor certification.
About the certification
What it covers
The Data Protection Auditor certification, often referenced in Germany as the TÜV/GDD auditor credential, signals practical auditing skill in privacy and data protection work. It is aimed at professionals who can review how an organization handles personal data and whether its controls are documented, applied, and defensible.
- Planning and scoping a data protection audit
- Reviewing policies, records, and technical-organizational measures
- Checking data processing activities against privacy requirements
- Identifying gaps, risks, and follow-up actions
Typical profiles
Holders are often privacy officers, internal auditors, consultants, compliance specialists, or project leads who work close to governance and assurance topics. In Germany, this profile is especially useful where companies need structured evidence for audits, customer due diligence, or internal control reviews.
The certification shows that a freelancer can speak both the language of compliance and the language of operations. That matters when privacy rules need to be translated into clear actions for IT, legal, HR, or procurement teams.
Skills behind it
A certified Data Protection Auditor usually knows how to test controls, read process documentation, and ask the right questions in interviews and workshops. The work is less about theory and more about verification.
- Audit methods and evidence gathering
- Data protection management and governance
- Risk-based assessment of procedures and controls
- Reporting findings in clear, usable language
When to hire one
This certification is a strong signal when you need someone to review an existing privacy setup, prepare for an external audit, or support remediation after findings. It is also relevant for vendor assessments, post-implementation checks, and internal control projects where data handling must be examined in detail.
For companies in Germany, German-language communication and familiarity with local organizational practice can be a real advantage, especially when the work involves stakeholders across legal, HR, and IT.
Why it matters
A freelancer with this certification is not just familiar with privacy rules. They are trained to examine whether controls work in practice and whether evidence is strong enough to support an audit conclusion.
That makes the profile useful for assignments where trust, documentation, and structured review matter more than broad advisory work. It is a good fit when you need someone who can move from policy to proof.
Search terms and variants
Companies and freelancers may search for the Data Protection Auditor under different names, especially TÜV/GDD Datenschutz-Auditor or simply Datenschutz-Auditor. In Germany, these terms usually point to the same kind of audit-focused privacy expertise.
When you see the credential on a profile, look for experience with real audits, not only privacy awareness. The certification is strongest when paired with hands-on work in compliance reviews, control testing, and remediation support.
Meet FRATCH Data Protection Auditor
Steffen Lotze
Data Protection Officer and Information Security Consultant
Last position:
Consultant for BSI IT Baseline Protection and ISO 27701 at German Society for International Cooperation
- Support in setting up and further developing the information security management system
- Collaboration with external consultants in the certification team for the support structure
- Participation in project planning, identifying and implementing necessary measures according to BSI IT Baseline Protection
- Professional support for in-house subject matter experts in preparing documents required for certifications
- Execution of tasks according to BSI 200-2
M. S.
Security Consultant
Last position:
Security consulting, audits & assessments
- Innovation/pilot project eHealth Germany
- SaaS company in the media sector, NRW
- Secure software development lifecycle, NRW
- BSI IT baseline protection assessments for multiple clinics
Najat Diamante
Data Protection Officer, Auditor and ICT Risk Control Function
Last position:
Data Protection Officer, Auditor and ICT Risk Control Function at DZ CompliancePartner GmbH
- Preparation of data protection risk analyses
- Planning and carrying out audits for clients with regard to the statutory control obligations of the Data Protection Officer
- Updating internal policies (updating work instructions)
- Reviewing Data Protection Impact Assessments
- Carrying out risk assessments
- Monitoring and implementing an ISMS
- Preparing activity reports
- Training employees
- Contract reviews
Tobias Weik
Attorney/Lawyer Data Protection and Data Law, Banking and Capital Markets Law, Freelancer, Data Protection Officer
Last position:
External Data Protection Officer at Self-employed
- Informing and advising on obligations under applicable data protection regulations
- Reviewing compliance with data protection regulations and the client’s strategies for protecting personal data through own audits
- Advising on and preparing data protection impact assessments as well as data protection notices and data protection guidelines and policies
- Drafting, advising on and negotiating data processing agreements
- Raising awareness among management and staff on data protection by creating training materials and concepts and delivering training sessions
- Industries include: financial services, healthcare, trades, mechanical engineering, recruitment, auditing and tax consulting
Nicole Folchert
Project Manager Datalake and Payment Service Provider
Last position:
Project Manager Datalake and Payment Service Provider at EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG
- Implementation / restructuring of various digital payment use cases
- Management and leadership of the project, including scheduling, resource planning, and budgeting
- Implementation of posting processes in SAP in the subsidiary ledgers and processing of bank statements for invoice control
- Definition of the future operation and operating processes
- Collaboration with stakeholders to define business requirements and ensure that the project solutions meet them
- Identification and management of project risks and issues, including the development of risk mitigation and issue resolution strategies
- Promoting user acceptance through effective communication, training, and support strategies
- Advising on the practical implementation of various GDPR rulings into IT and business processes
Klaus Rheinwald
Senior Project Manager
Last position:
Management Consultant Compliance/Data Protection at Telefónica Germany GmbH & Co. OHG
Consulting on compliance and data protection topics in the telecommunications environment.
Norbert Stilling
Self-Employed Consultant and Project Manager
Last position:
Self-Employed Consultant and Project Manager at Self-Employed Consultant and Project Manager
- 21 projects ≥ 6 months at large and medium-sized companies
- 13 projects as project or subproject manager
- 6 international projects with English as project language
Natalya Spuling
Data Protection Consultant
Last position:
Data Protection Consultant at International Chemical Corporation
- Creating documentation to meet legal requirements for deleting personal data
- Creating practical process descriptions
- Implementing legal deletion requirements in coordination with IT and business units
Lucas Löcken
Consultant in Information Security, Data Protection and Business Continuity Management
Last position:
Consultant in Information Security, Data Protection and Business Continuity Management
Consulting and support in gathering information security requirements (IT-SIG 2.0, KRITIS, TISAX, industry standards, ISO 27001, A-960/1)
Acting as data protection officer and auditor as well as information security auditor
Conducting employee training
Updating risk analyses with risk treatment
Designing information security concepts based on BSI IT Baseline Protection, KRITIS, ISO 27001, A-960/1 and TISAX
Identifying information security requirements for IT systems (WAN, LAN, clouds) and overseeing implementation
Administering the ISMS using Verinice and SAVe
Integrating security concepts into existing management systems according to ISO 9001 and ISO 27001
Process management and modeling according to ITIL
Management consulting for integrating an ISMS into integrated management systems
Advising on data protection (GDPR, BDSG)
Planning and conducting data protection audits
Designing risk management processes and methodologies according to ISO 27005, ISO 31000 and BSI 200-3
Developing and setting up training programs for employees
Frank Müns
GDPR Consultant
Last position:
Klinikum Stuttgart
- Preparation of DPIA for the implementation of Windows 11 and Co-Pilots
Elmar Lauer
Data Protection Officer, Data Protection Consulting
Last position:
Data Protection Officer, Data Protection Consulting at Lauer Datenschutz
- Handling data protection related topics
- Clients: FI-TS, LSVS, Rietmann GmbH, Bastuck GmbH, Magic Software GmbH, among others
Jörg Iffländer
External Information Security Officer
Last position:
External Information Security Officer at ilink Kommunikationssysteme GmbH
Cristina Bittner
Lawyer, Privacy and AI Consultant and Trainer
Last position:
Privacy consultant at Statutory health insurance / Healthcare / Social data protection (AOK Federal Association and AOK Bayern)
Tasks:
- Privacy consultant for the development and launch of an online portal
- Lead, preparation and support in conducting a data protection impact assessment (DPIA)
- Creation of data protection compliant documentation, especially data protection concept and deletion concepts
- Preparation of decision templates for data protection management, data protection officers (cross-state) and information security
- Acting as liaison between the project and data protection and information security
Klaus-Dieter Krause
Executive Partner
Last position:
Executive Partner at iAP-Independent Audit Professionals GmbH
Burkhard Hinz
Consultant for Data Protection, AI, Compliance and Organizational Development
Last position:
Consultant for Data Protection, AI, Compliance and Organizational Development
- Set up automated processes in data protection management (e.g. ROPA, PIA, DPIA)
- Complete overhaul of data subject rights processes (erasure, access, etc.)
- Development of a data and AI compliance management system
- Support in setting up a data governance framework
- Establishment and support of agile project management
- Support in the strategic realignment of the privacy department
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Data Protection Auditor statistics
Typical experience
24 years
Average project duration
4.1 years
Certifications per freelancer
10
Top business areas
Information Technology, Legal, Project Management
Top industries
Professional Services, Information Technology, Banking and Finance
Most common languages
German, English, French
Bachelor's degree or higher
93%
Master's degree or higher
64%
Doctorate
14%
Salary / Daily Rate Distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers holding this certification are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows how many freelancers charge within that range. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Average rates for Data Protection Auditor & Seniority distribution
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.
The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.
Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions in mind? Get key insights about FRATCH
The Data Protection Auditor certification validates that a professional can assess privacy controls in a structured way. It focuses on audit planning, evidence review, gap detection, and clear reporting. For companies, that means the freelancer is prepared to check whether data protection measures are not only written down, but actually in use.
In practice, TÜV/GDD Datenschutz-Auditor is the name many people in Germany use for this certification. Searchers also shorten it to Datenschutz-Auditor. If you are hiring, the key is not the wording alone, but whether the freelancer has real audit-focused privacy experience.
A Data Protection Auditor is trained to evaluate and verify, not just advise. General privacy certificates may focus more on legal basics, awareness, or program management. This credential is more useful when you need someone to test controls, challenge evidence, and document findings in an audit setting.
The Data Protection Auditor credential fits privacy officers, internal auditors, compliance specialists, consultants, and project managers who work on governance or assurance topics. It is especially relevant for people who need to review processes across legal, IT, procurement, and HR. Freelancers with this background are useful when the assignment requires calm, structured analysis.
A candidate for TÜV/GDD Datenschutz-Auditor should already understand data protection basics and have some practical exposure to audits, controls, or compliance work. The preparation is usually more effective when it is built on real project experience. The focus is on learning how to assess evidence and turn findings into actionable recommendations.
The Datenschutz-Auditor profile is valuable in internal audits, vendor reviews, remediation programs, and preparation for external assessments. It also matters after new systems, process changes, or governance updates, when a company wants to verify that controls still work. In Germany, it is especially useful where documentation and stakeholder coordination must be very precise.
Yes. A Data Protection Auditor can add value in any organization that handles personal data at scale or works with many external partners. Regulated sectors often need this profile, but so do industrial, service, and technology companies that want clear proof of control quality. The certification is most useful when trust and audit readiness are part of the job.
Look for evidence that the TÜV/GDD Datenschutz-Auditor has worked on real audits, not only on policy writing. Strong candidates can explain how they collected evidence, handled findings, and worked with stakeholders to close gaps. A good profile will show practical judgment, clear communication, and comfort with sensitive data.
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FRATCH CEO
