In recent years, I have worked on a multitude of cases supervising machine learning algorithms, biometrics or traditional relational databases in different business areas, from medical data to borders management. The work in the EDPS never ceases to surprise me and offers me the opportunity to meet new people or explore new areas.
What does your role at the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) involve?
I work in the Systems Oversight and Technology Audits sector of the Technology and Privacy unit of the EDPS. My everyday work involves analysing designs for new information systems in the EU Institutions, or auditing existing ones, to ensure data protection requirements, including security, are embedded in them. I also comment on proposals for new legislation wherever there is an impact on personal data and propose the introduction of data protection safeguards.
What makes your work interesting or meaningful to you?
I am an enthusiast for both security and privacy, and I enjoy the challenge of assessing how they can be implemented in practice. My work evolves around the concepts of privacy by design and security by design, which promote a responsible way of developing and operating technology. At the same time, although it seems like a merely technical task, the impact of my work goes beyond the systems themselves. It affects how the processing of large-scale IT systems operated at the EU level affect the everyday life of everyone in the EU.
What opportunities have you had at the EDPS to learn, develop new skills or take on new challenges?
Every new proposal for legislation or system design evolves around either a new business area or new technology, providing a trigger to learn and research something new. In recent years, I have worked on a multitude of cases supervising machine learning algorithms, biometrics or traditional relational databases in different business areas, from medical data to borders management. The work in the EDPS never ceases to surprise me and offers me the opportunity to meet new people or explore new areas. As you can understand this goes beyond knowledge; it has also improved my agility and my quick learning skills.
How would you describe the EDPS approach to work-life balance?
The workload of EDPS is driven by what the EU institutions bring to us. This means that it is varied and deadline-led and never dull. The workload is actively managed across the teams to give everyone the same opportunities for learning and development. Our Human Resources team continuously engages with staff on well-being initiatives, so the way we work keeps evolving with work-life balance as a central pillar.
What is it like working in such an international and multilingual environment?
I profit from a daily cultural bath! Working with different colleagues of various EU nationalities allows me to explore different ways of thinking and exchange experiences from different countries. At the same time, I get to learn about customs, history and even linguistic expressions from different countries, which leads me to the conclusion that we are not so different after all.
What makes the EDPS a distinctive place to work?
The EDPS gives you the opportunity to work with data protection experts from a multitude of backgrounds, such as legal or technical, enhancing your view of the topic. Furthermore, the role and position of the EDPS within the EU offers a unique chance to shape what our society will look like in the next years. While always welcoming the adoption of new technologies and measures for security, the EDPS places the human in the centre of all activities and reminds the EU to consider their fundamental rights as a priority in every new proposal.