General Data Protection Regulation course
Key takeaways.
GDPR starts with definitions and context: identifiability is not limited to names.
“You can’t protect what you can’t map” is the practical foundation of the data lifecycle.
Controllers own accountability even when processors and vendors do the work.
Processing is an everyday activity; each flow needs a clear purpose and lawful basis.
Data minimisation and purpose limitation reduce both risk and operational noise.
Retention discipline matters: keeping data “just in case” is a liability without justification.
Consent must be specific, unbundled, and reversible; dark patterns increase risk.
Rights requests are operational: verify identity, respond consistently, and keep secure logs.
Accountability is a system: policies, training, least privilege, vendor reviews, and change logs.
Incidents require calm structure: contain first, preserve evidence, document decisions, then learn and harden controls.
In-depth breakdown.
sGeneral Data Protection Regulation [WC - C10] turns GDPR from a legal acronym into a working system. It starts with core definitions: personal data can identify someone directly or indirectly, and “sensitive data” increases risk and therefore control requirements. The course stresses that context matters, an identifier can be personal data even without a name, and that strong compliance begins with lifecycle mapping: what is collected, where it is stored, how it is used, who it is shared with, and when it is deleted.
Next, it clarifies roles: controllers decide purpose and means; processors act on behalf of controllers. Even with third-party tools, responsibility does not vanish, contracts, access control, and ownership of decisions become operational necessities. Processing activities are framed as the everyday flows teams actually run: forms, newsletters, analytics, support, and vendor handoffs, each needing a clear purpose, lawful basis, and retention rule.
The course then covers data protection principles and individual rights (access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability), focusing on response discipline: verification, timelines, consistent templates, and secure logging. Finally, it addresses accountability, policies, training, vendor risk, least privilege, and retention automation, before moving into breaches and incident basics: containment first, preserve evidence, communicate with structure, and convert root causes into preventative controls.
Course itinerary.
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Core definitions
Controller vs processor
Processing activities
Data protection principles
Individual rights
Responsibilities for compliance
Common myths debunked
Penalties for non-compliance
Practical steps for compliance
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Lawful bases overview
Consent vs contract vs legitimate interests
Choosing appropriately
Documentation mindset
Consent handling basics
Cookie categories
Avoiding dark patterns
Practical implications of GDPR
Key takeaways
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Rights overview
Portability and objection
Response discipline
Identity verification basics
Logging requests
Timelines and consistency
Understanding data subject rights
Compliance and governance
Tools for GDPR compliance
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Organisational responsibilities
Practical accountability
Policies and training
Vendor management
Record-keeping mindset
Access control and least privilege
Retention discipline
Third-party tools and risk
Accountability and compliance
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What constitutes an incident
Communication essentials
Common scenarios of data breaches
Containment mindset
Recovery and learning loop
When escalation matters
Documentation habits
Preventing repeats
Conclusion and next steps
Course requirements.
The requirements necessary for this course include:
Technology
You need a computer/smart device with a decent internet.
Account
No account is required as the lectures are free to view.
Viewing
This course is taught via a blog article format.
Commitment
You will need to dedicate time and effort, at your own pace.
Frequently Asked Questions.
What counts as personal data under GDPR?
Any information that can identify a person directly or indirectly, including identifiers that become identifying in context.
Does GDPR only apply to companies in the EU?
No. It can apply globally if an organisation processes personal data relating to individuals in the EU/EEA in relevant contexts.
Are small businesses exempt from GDPR?
No. Obligations scale with risk and activity, but GDPR principles still apply.
Is GDPR just about consent?
No. Consent is one lawful basis; others include contract and legitimate interests, depending on purpose.
Do organisations need to delete all data on request?
Not always. Erasure depends on conditions and lawful grounds; some data must be retained for legal or contractual reasons.
What’s the difference between anonymised and pseudonymised data?
Anonymised data cannot be re-identified; pseudonymised data can be re-identified with additional information, so it remains regulated.
What should a basic processing record include?
Activity, data categories, purpose, lawful basis, retention, systems, vendors, access controls, and change history.
How should consent be implemented to avoid risk?
It must be an active opt-in, unbundled by purpose, clearly explained, and as easy to withdraw as to give.
How should teams handle data subject access/erasure requests efficiently?
Use a request register, identity verification proportional to risk, templates for consistent responses, internal deadlines, and a cross-system search process.
What is the first priority during a suspected personal data incident?
Containment: stop ongoing access (sessions, passwords, keys), remove exposed links, preserve evidence, assign an owner, and then assess scope before statements.
