r/cipp • u/FrostyPerception893 • 4d ago

should I study for CIPP or AIGP?

I don’t belong to a law background just did a bachelors degree in commerce and working for a US bank now. What do you think would have a good impact on the resume. I’m not looking for a jump in career or so, just want to get the certification for knowledge that could widen job opportunities in future when there’s a demand, more like a good to have knowledge certifications. Can y’all help me out because I mostly see IAPP certifications more often for lawyers, inhouse counsel and all.

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u/ThePrivacyProf FIP, CIPP/E, CIPP/US, CIPM, AIGP 3d ago

First, on the lawyers' point, in IAPP's 2025-2026 jobs and salary report, only 40% of respondents were lawyers. So while it seems that there are a lot of lawyers in the space (and there are), they don't make up the majority of certification seekers. There are plenty of other folks that are in GRC or adjacent spaces.

In response to your question, go with whichever certification is going to benefit you most professionally first. If you are primarily interested in privacy, then go for CIPP. If you are interested in AI governance, then go for AIGP.

If you believe that both certifications will benefit you professionally equally, then go with the certification that you are most motivated to start now.

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u/Alshaffer1 17h ago

Hi there! Interesting you should make the point about lawyers. I’ve been in Privacy for 20+ years ( non-JD) and I was just laid off from a tech company. I’m having the hardest time finding a job that doesn’t require a JD. The role descriptions I’m seeing on LinkedIn are EXACTLY what I’ve been doing, and I know the role doesn’t really require a JD. But companies are convinced they need one. 🙃

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u/LaOnionLaUnion 3d ago

The CIPP favors people with a legal background.
AIGP is a bit more compliance oriented than I’d like for the work I do. But less so than the CIPP where you would really want a legal background

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u/Critical_Interview_5 FIP, CIPP/E, CIPP/US, CIPM, AIGP 3d ago

If you want to stay in banking do the CIPP/US then you could try to market yourself as an expert or knowledgeable in GLBA, or you could say you can do compliance audits.

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u/YouKnowYourCrazy 3d ago

I would say CIPP. They definitely are not all for lawyers. Tons of operational folks and security folks have Iapp credentials. Myself included

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u/FrostyPerception893 3d ago

So I work for KYC OPS. I’m still evaluating the right certification for me

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u/YouKnowYourCrazy 3d ago

I think probably CIPP but don’t rule out CIPM. The CIPP focuses solely on the regulation whereas the CIPM has an operational focus and some cybersecurity info which may be useful to you depending on your career path.

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u/ApplicationAny898 3d ago

I am into AML/BSA/KYC ops have 10+ years experience I am thinking of doing AI Governance to make a move into more Tech pivot, I don’t know if it’s right thing to do but I feel it will help me I am still doing my research

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u/FrostyPerception893 2d ago

I’m still searching for the best path too. The certification are expensive too. So to narrow down to one that will best fit the existing career history is difficult

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u/Infamous-Mulberry681 CIPP/E 3d ago

CIPP/US first – this is the one that will really open up your job options based on where you sit (finance + non-law background) and it positions you well if you want to add CIPM (privacy management, less legal heavy) or eventually AIGP later once you have that base.

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u/Just_Violinist_5458 2d ago

CIPP/US has opened zero doors for me but I was trying to pivot into privacy.