Micro-credential: Data Protection

Programme structure and approach to learning

The General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation 2016/679) is the cornerstone of data protection and privacy. This course provides an exploration of the data protection framework, focusing on current best practices, legislative updates, and practical strategies to ensure compliance in a rapidly evolving digital environment.

In this Micro-credential, participants will be brought through the application of the law by experienced data protection practitioners and privacy consultants from private practice, the public sector, and from large multinationals. There is a strong focus on the GDPR and how to apply it in practice. This course will ensure that participants are equipped to deal with the compliance issues that arise in practice.

Modules

The programme covers key themes as listed below:

Module 1: Introduction to data protection

• Overview of Data Protection and Privacy
• The Role of the Data Protection Commissioner

Module 2: Data processing and sharing

• Data Protection Principles
• Legitimate Processing of Data
• Principles of Retention of Data
• Government data and public sector bodies

Module 3: The GDPR, data processing and personal rights

• Rights in relation to Personal Data
• Subject Access Requests
• Overview of the GDPR
• Compliance and Enforcement

Module 4: Data governance

• Data Breaches
• Data Security

Module 5: International data transfers

• Data Protection Officers

Module 6: Data protection in an employment context

• Data Protection in an Employment Context

Workshops

Workshops are a key feature of this course. These are designed to be interactive and involve working in-person in small groups on selected case-study problems. This provides an opportunity to consider the application of the law to common scenarios encountered in practice.

Assessments

2,500-word written assignment (80%) and continuous assessment (multiple-choice questions) (20%).