Discover how John Baird is revolutionizing IDV (Identity Verification) solutions to enhance security and efficiency. Explore his innovative approach...

1.  John Giannakakis: Empowering
Clients with High-Quality Legal
Services
 John Giannakakis is a leading legal counsel with over three
decades of experience. John started his career in Greece and served
as a General Counsel in multiple industries and European
jurisdictions. Over time, He developed a keen interest in Data
Protection and Cybersecurity, which soon became his primary
focus, and helped him emerge as one of the most internationally
awarded Greek Data Protection Officers. John's expertise,
dedication, and contribution to the industry brought him global
recognition and helped him enter the PrivSec 200 List of One Trust
with top European Privacy and Security Professionals in 2019.
 In addition to his massive experience and accomplishments, John’s
triple certification from the International Association of Privacy
Professionals (IAPP) as a Certified Information Privacy
Professional for Europe (CIPP/E), Certified Information Privacy
Manager (CIPM), and Certified GDPR Practitioner showcases his
deep understanding of privacy laws, regulations, and best practices
in Europe.
 John is also a Certified Information Privacy Professional/US
(CIPP/US) and a Certified Data Protection Officer (DPO) per ISO
17024:2013,reflecting his proficiency in implementing and
managing data protection programs according to international
standards. Above all, John is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and plays
his part in preventing, detecting, and investigating fraud in various
contexts.
 A Leading Name
 John attributes his success in the legal world to his curiosity and
drive to learn new things. This has led him to explore new career
paths and acquire expertise in different areas of law, which has

2. helped him stay ahead of the curve while continuously improving
his skills.
 John’s commitment to client satisfaction is another critical part of
his approach. John strives to understand his client’s needs and
works diligently to provide effective legal solutions.
 In addition, John always embraces an affiliative management style,
which fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment. He
believes in being an active part of his teams and partners rather
than a distant authority figure. By maintaining clear lines of
communication, promoting accountability, and assigning well-
defined tasks, he ensures that everyone works together cohesively
towards common goals.
 Taking Challenges Head-on
 John identifies several challenges in the legal industry that he
believes need to be addressed. Firstly, he believes that the
introduction of AI and machine learning presents a significant
challenge as it disrupts traditional legal processes, and legal
professionals need to adapt to new technologies and ways of
working.
 Another challenge he recognizes is the shrinking of small and
medium-sized law firms, which often struggle to compete with
larger firms with more resources, technology, and specialized
expertise. Additionally, integrating technology into the day-to-day
work of older lawyers can be challenging. Embracing new
technologies and leveraging their benefits may require a complete
shift in mindset and additional training for more senior lawyers
who may need to become more familiar with advanced technology
tools and platforms.
 Furthermore, the reduction of legal budgets in large corporations is
a challenge that impacts the legal industry. Companies often seek
to optimize costs, including legal expenses, which can pressure law
firms to deliver high-quality services within limited budgets.
 An Incredible Professional Journey
 "I believe that my efforts have paid off as I had an incredible
professional journey with many changes, with wins and failures

3. that taughtme that change is a definite part of life and we should
embrace it,"- John said when asked if his efforts have paid off.
 When looking back at his legacy in the Greek Legal community,
John takes pride in his massive contributions, particularly in
training and mentoring young colleagues to become privacy
professionals and Data Protection Officers.
 Moreover, John cherishes the fact that his teams remember him in
all the companies he has worked for as "The Coolest Boss." This
highlights his affiliative management style and his positive impact
on his teams. Building strong relationships, fostering a
collaborative work environment, and being approachable and
supportive have been important aspects of his leadership approach.
 Presently John is working on the cyberattack on Hellenic Post in
2022. He is also working on his new book on the Internet of
Things and Privacy. Furthermore, John has taken on a new role as
Off Counsel to NK Law, specifically Kanellopoulos – Zerva &
Associates Law Firm, a leading Data Protection Practice Group in
Greece.
 Future
 In the future, John aspires to complete his fourth
novel, "Confessions of an ethical hacker," a cyberthriller he is
currently working on. Apart from his literary ambition, John also
expresses his desire to return to his favorite European City,
Valencia.
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