Description

Introduction

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) doesn’t just impact legal teams — it mandates concrete technical and organizational measures for safeguarding personal data. IT and security professionals play a crucial role in operationalizing compliance through access controls, encryption, data lifecycle management, and breach detection mechanisms. This course bridges legal expectations with practical engineering approaches, helping teams secure systems while demonstrating accountability.

Prerequisites

• Basic understanding of GDPR principles

• Experience in IT operations, infrastructure, cybersecurity, or data systems

• Familiarity with network security, encryption, and data governance tools

Table of Contents

1. The Technical Role in GDPR Compliance

 1.1 Mapping GDPR to IT Responsibilities
 1.2 Data Processing Activities & Technical Ownership
 1.3 Accountability and Documentation Requirements

2. Data Inventory and Classification

 2.1 Identifying Personal and Sensitive Data
 2.2 Data Mapping and Flow Documentation
 2.3 Classifying Data by Risk Level

3. Access Control and User Rights Management

 3.1 Role-Based Access Controls (RBAC)
 3.2 Identity Management and Authentication
 3.3 Logging and Monitoring User Activity
 3.4 Supporting Data Subject Rights Technically

4. Data Encryption and Protection

 4.1 At-Rest and In-Transit Encryption Techniques
 4.2 Key Management and Cryptographic Policies
 4.3 Tokenization, Hashing, and Pseudonymization
 4.4 Managing Encrypted Backups

5. Data Retention and Erasure

 5.1 Automating Data Retention Policies
 5.2 Secure Deletion and Data Wiping Standards
 5.3 Enabling the Right to Erasure (RTBF)
 5.4 Log Management and Data Minimization

6. Breach Detection and Incident Response

 6.1 GDPR Breach Notification Requirements
 6.2 SIEM Integration and Breach Detection Tools
 6.3 72-Hour Response Plan and Communication Flow
 6.4 Real-World Case Examples of Breach Handling

7. Privacy by Design and Default

 7.1 Integrating Privacy into the SDLC
 7.2 Minimizing Data Collection and Exposure
 7.3 Threat Modeling for Personal Data
 7.4 Secure Defaults and Configuration Hardening

8. Vendor and Cloud Security Management

 8.1 Assessing Processor Technical Safeguards
 8.2 Data Processing Agreements: Key Clauses
 8.3 Cloud Encryption, Isolation, and Logging Controls
 8.4 Third-Party Risk Mitigation Checklist

9. Monitoring, Auditing, and Continuous Compliance

 9.1 Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs)
 9.2 Periodic Audits and Technical Reviews
 9.3 Metrics for Measuring GDPR Control Effectiveness
 9.4 Maintaining an Audit Trail for Regulators

IT and security teams are GDPR’s front line when it comes to practical enforcement. Beyond policy, compliance depends on solid infrastructure, proactive monitoring, and a privacy-first architecture. Embedding these controls strengthens security and builds trust — ensuring personal data is protected not just by law, but by design.