In today's data-driven world, understanding your legal and professional obligations for data protection is essential. This fundamental 30-minute online course is designed for all employees, providing the critical knowledge needed to handle information safely, securely, and in compliance with current legislation like GDPR.

You will learn why confidentiality is crucial for our organisation, how to identify and protect sensitive data, and practical methods to prevent data breaches in your daily work. From recognising phishing attempts to creating strong passwords and ensuring physical document security, this training covers the core principles that protect our customers, our colleagues, and our company. The course concludes with a practical assessment to confirm your understanding of these vital concepts.

Why Is This Course Important?

Protecting data is a legal requirement for our business. A breach of confidentiality can have catastrophic consequences, impacting our customers, our reputation, and our legal standing. By completing this training, you fulfil your personal responsibility to prevent sensitive information from being leaked and contribute directly to the company's commitment to handling data fairly, transparently, and securely.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand the importance of handling sensitive information securely and your legal duties regarding data protection.

• Identify what constitutes sensitive data, including financial, health, and personal information.

• Apply best practices for data protection and confidentiality in your day-to-day role to comply with legislation.

• Recognise and prevent potential data breaches through improved phishing awareness, workplace security, and cyber security habits.

• Demonstrate your knowledge of key data safety principles through a final assessment.

Course Outline

This training is structured into three clear sections:

1. Introduction to Data Protection

• An overview of data protection and the critical importance of confidentiality.

• A detailed look at our Company Data Protection Policy, including our commitment to processing data lawfully, protecting it from unauthorised access, and respecting individual rights.

• Understanding our specific obligations to clients regarding their data.

2. Data Protection Methods

• Defining Sensitive Data: Learn to recognise various types of sensitive information, such as racial origin, political opinions, health data, and financial information.

• Preventing a Breach: Discover practical, cost-effective steps to improve data security. Key topics include:

    ◦ Phishing Awareness: How to verify identity over the phone and avoid disclosing personal information.

    ◦ Workplace Safety: The importance of logging off workstations and shredding physical documents.

    ◦ Password Protection: Best practices for creating strong, secure passwords and keeping them safe.

    ◦ Cyber Security: Rules for installing software, handling suspicious attachments, and ensuring secure connections.

    ◦ Breach Reporting: Your duty to report breaches to supervisory authorities within 72 hours.

3. Final Assessment

• A short assessment to test your understanding of key concepts covered in the course, including handling sensitive information, sharing data securely, and password protection.