Description

Introduction

Legal and compliance officers play a critical role in interpreting and enforcing the GDPR within organizations. This course offers a deep dive into the regulatory framework, practical implementation strategies, legal risk management, and ensuring internal accountability. The focus is on turning GDPR requirements into enforceable internal policies and procedures.

Prerequisites

• Background in legal, risk, compliance, or data governance

• Familiarity with EU data protection principles

• Understanding of corporate structure and regulatory landscapes

Table of Contents

1. GDPR Legal Framework and Scope

 1.1 Origins and Objectives of GDPR
 1.2 Extra-Territorial Reach and Applicability
 1.3 Relationship with National Laws and Sector Regulations
 1.4 Key Legal Definitions: Personal Data, Processing, Controller, Processor

2. Roles and Legal Responsibilities

 2.1 Duties of Controllers and Processors
 2.2 The Role of the Data Protection Officer (DPO)
 2.3 Ensuring Accountability and Governance
 2.4 Assigning and Documenting Responsibilities

3. Lawful Basis for Processing

 3.1 The Six Legal Bases Under GDPR
 3.2 Legal Considerations in Consent vs. Legitimate Interest
 3.3 Special Categories of Personal Data
 3.4 Documentation and Assessment of Legal Grounds

4. Contracts, Agreements, and Third Parties

 4.1 Data Processing Agreements (DPAs): Clauses and Obligations
 4.2 Sub-Processors and Supply Chain Management
 4.3 Auditing Vendor Compliance
 4.4 Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and International Transfers

5. Data Subject Rights and Legal Risk

 5.1 Right of Access, Rectification, Erasure, and Restriction
 5.2 Portability and Objection: Legal Implications
 5.3 Handling Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs)
 5.4 Timelines, Verification, and Response Protocols

6. Data Protection by Design and Default

 6.1 Embedding Privacy into Systems and Policies
 6.2 Data Minimization and Purpose Limitation
 6.3 DPIAs: Legal Triggers and Best Practices
 6.4 Collaboration with IT and Security Teams

7. Breach Response and Regulatory Reporting

 7.1 Legal Definition of a Breach
 7.2 72-Hour Notification Rule to Authorities
 7.3 Drafting Incident Reports and Legal Notices
 7.4 Communicating with Supervisory Authorities and Affected Parties

8. Documentation and Record-Keeping

 8.1 Article 30 Records of Processing Activities (ROPA)
 8.2 Legal Validity of Logs and Internal Memos
 8.3 Cross-Departmental Compliance Audits
 8.4 Proving Accountability in Practice

9. Training and Organizational Culture

 9.1 Structuring Legal & Compliance Awareness Programs
 9.2 Departmental GDPR Champions
 9.3 Cross-Functional Collaboration: Legal, HR, Marketing, IT
 9.4 Encouraging Reporting and Whistleblowing Mechanisms

10. Litigation, Enforcement, and Regulatory Trends

 10.1 Recent Fines and Court Rulings
 10.2 Working with Supervisory Authorities (DPAs)
 10.3 Risk Mitigation in Cross-Border Data Flow
 10.4 Preparing for ePrivacy Regulation and Future Amendments

Legal and compliance officers are central to shaping data ethics and regulatory adherence within organizations. By mastering GDPR’s legal nuances, they not only minimize risk and avoid sanctions but also help build a culture of privacy, transparency, and trust. Staying proactive and collaborative ensures long-term, defensible compliance.