GDPR Training: What Is Data Protection Training and Do I Need It?

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At Data Protection People, we’re committed to simplifying data protection. But, the topic itself is complex and often difficult for organisations to navigate. That’s where we come in. 

In this blog, we’ll explore whether GDPR training is right for you and how to take your first step towards compliance.

What Is GDPR Training? 

GDPR training refers to education and training courses designed to help individuals and organisations understand and comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). 

In the UK, organisations will learn about the UK GDPR, the post-Brexit version of the EU GDPR, and the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018. The DPA is another act that sits alongside the UK GDPR, outlining how personal data must be collected, handled and stored in the UK. 

Did you know UK data protection law is changing? Data Protection People closely follow updates to the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill and will amend training where necessary. 

Is Data Protection Training Manadatory? 

The UK GDPR does not mention “training” frequently in the legalisation. The best example is Article 39, which outlines the tasks data protection officers (DPOs) are responsible for. 

Under UK GDPR, data protection officers must raise awareness and train staff in data processing operations and related audits. It’s unclear whether data protection training is mandatory for all employees. This doesn’t mean you should avoid it, though. 

In data protection law, a fundamental principle is accountability, which highlights your responsibility for complying with legislation. GDPR training demonstrates your accountability and helps you minimise the risks of handling personal data.  

Who Needs to Do GDPR Training? 

Anyone who processes personal data in your organisation should complete GDPR training. You could risk a GDPR breach without training, resulting in legal orders or financial penalties of up to £17.5 million. 

But what is “personal data” processing? Personal data relates to sensitive information about your customers, employees, suppliers or third parties. The processing relates to accessing, handling and using personal data for specific purposes. 

In the Accountability Framework, the ICO outlines that all employees should receive basic data privacy training and be covered in induction and refresher courses. DPOs must receive additional specialist training to ensure they’re updated with data protection legislation. 

GDPR Courses at Data Protection People 

Data Protection People offers a range of exceptional data protection courses, all of which are tailored to our clients’ needs. Our experts provide the following: 

  • Introduction to Data Protection;
  • Subject Access Request (SAR) Training;
  • Records of Processing Activity (RPOA) Training;
  • International Data Transfers Training;
  • Freedom of Information Requests (FoI) Training;
  • Information Rights Request Training; 
  • Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) Training; 
  • Board Member Responsibilities and Compliance Leadership; and,
  • Data Protection Officer (DPO) Certification.

If you want to view our course syllabuses, you can find them on our recent GDPR training blog. 

Contact Data Protection People for GDPR Training Courses 

Access GDPR training courses suitable for all levels at Data Protection People. Whether you want to upskill as a DPO or refresh your team’s GDPR knowledge, we’re here to help. Contact the team to learn more. 

Clients consistently rely on our flexible approach towards handling technical challenges in every project.