Thinking of a career change? If you're technologically inclined, you might want to consider the position of data protection officer, especially if you're looking for a quick boost in pay.

Data protection officer (DPO) is a relatively new career option, and Reuters reports that when people first started training to become DPOs, there really wasn't all that much demand for people qualified to manage the legal and ethical issues related to handling customer data.

But all that's changed, thanks in large part to a European law that has businesses the world over suddenly scrambling to find people who can fill the role. The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation, which goes into effect in May, requires that all companies whose core activities include substantial monitoring or processing of personal data hire a DPO. The goal is to provide European citizens more control over their online information, and the law applies to all firms that do business with Europeans.