Data Protection and Privacy Course Syllabus

6-Week Comprehensive Program

Course Syllabus: Data Protection and Privacy

Course Information

Course Title: Data Protection and Privacy
Duration: 6 Weeks
Level: All Levels (Beginner to Advanced)
Next Start Date: November 5th, 2025
Format Options: Instructor-Led Online, Self-Paced, In-Person Workshops

Course Description

This comprehensive course explores the technical and legal aspects of data protection and privacy, providing participants with the knowledge and skills needed to implement privacy-by-design principles and ensure compliance with global privacy regulations. Through a balanced approach covering both regulatory requirements and technical implementations, students will learn how to develop effective data protection strategies, conduct privacy impact assessments, implement appropriate security controls, and respond to data breaches. The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications to prepare participants for real-world privacy challenges.

Prerequisites

• Basic understanding of information technology concepts
• Familiarity with data management principles
• Awareness of general security concepts
• Professional interest in data protection and privacy
• Computer with internet access

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Interpret and apply key privacy regulations in practical contexts
2. Implement Privacy by Design principles in systems and processes
3. Apply technical privacy controls to protect sensitive data
4. Conduct privacy impact assessments and manage privacy risks
5. Develop effective data breach prevention and response strategies
6. Build and maintain a comprehensive privacy program
7. Evaluate privacy implications of new technologies and systems

Course Structure

Week 1: Privacy Fundamentals and Legal Frameworks

• Evolution of privacy concepts and historical context
• Key global privacy regulations:
  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
  • California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and Privacy Rights Act (CPRA)
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • Other regional and sectoral regulations
• Core privacy principles:
  • Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency
  • Purpose limitation
  • Data minimization
  • Accuracy
  • Storage limitation
  • Integrity and confidentiality
  • Accountability
• Rights of data subjects
• Organizational responsibilities and obligations
• Jurisdictional considerations and regulatory scope
• Lab: Mapping regulatory requirements to organizational processes

Week 2: Privacy by Design and Data Governance

• Privacy by Design principles and implementation
• Data inventory and mapping methodologies
• Data classification frameworks
• Personal data identification techniques
• Data flow documentation
• Data minimization strategies and implementation
• Purpose limitation in practice
• Lawful bases for processing
• Consent management systems
• Privacy governance structures
• Role of Data Protection Officer (DPO)
• Implementing accountability measures
• Lab: Creating a data inventory and classification scheme

Week 3: Technical Privacy Controls

• Pseudonymization techniques:
  • Tokenization
  • Hashing
  • Key management
• Anonymization approaches:
  • K-anonymity
  • L-diversity
  • T-closeness
  • Differential privacy
• Encryption fundamentals:
  • Symmetric vs. asymmetric encryption
  • Transport encryption (TLS/SSL)
  • Storage encryption
  • End-to-end encryption
• Access controls and authentication:
  • Role-based access control (RBAC)
  • Attribute-based access control (ABAC)
  • Multi-factor authentication
• Database privacy controls:
  • Column-level encryption
  • Dynamic data masking
  • Row-level security
• Privacy in APIs and microservices
• Privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs)
• Lab: Implementing pseudonymization and access controls

Week 4: Privacy Impact Assessment and Risk Management

• Privacy risk assessment methodologies
• Conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs):
  • When DPIAs are required
  • DPIA process and documentation
  • Stakeholder consultation
  • Risk evaluation and mitigation
• Legitimate interest assessments
• Vendor privacy assessment:
  • Due diligence processes
  • Contractual requirements
  • Ongoing monitoring
• Risk mitigation strategies:
  • Technical controls
  • Organizational measures
  • Contractual safeguards
• Documentation and evidence collection
• Lab: Conducting a DPIA for a sample system

Week 5: Data Breach Prevention and Response

• Common causes of data breaches
• Technical safeguards against breaches:
  • Network security
  • Endpoint protection
  • Data loss prevention (DLP)
  • Security monitoring
• Building a data breach response plan:
  • Breach detection mechanisms
  • Initial assessment
  • Containment strategies
  • Investigation procedures
  • Remediation steps
• Notification requirements and timelines:
  • Regulatory authorities
  • Affected individuals
  • Third parties
• Documentation and evidence preservation
• Post-breach remediation
• Lessons learned and continuous improvement
• Lab: Data breach tabletop exercise

Week 6: Privacy Program Implementation and Case Studies

• Building a privacy program:
  • Program structure and governance
  • Policy development
  • Procedures and standards
  • Training and awareness
  • Monitoring and auditing
  • Continuous improvement
• Privacy awareness and training strategies
• Privacy considerations in emerging technologies:
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning
  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Blockchain
  • Biometrics
• International data transfers:
  • Adequacy decisions
  • Standard contractual clauses
  • Binding corporate rules
  • Derogations
• Real-world case studies and lessons
• Future trends in privacy protection
• Capstone project: Designing a privacy program
• Course review and final assessment

Instructional Methods

• Interactive lectures with case discussions
• Hands-on technical exercises and labs
• Privacy impact assessment workshops
• Data breach simulation exercises
• Case study analysis
• Group discussions and knowledge sharing
• Expert guest speakers
• Individual and group projects

Assessment and Grading

Assessment Components

1. Weekly Assignments (40%)
   • Practical exercises
   • Case analyses
   • Technical implementations
   • Reading responses
2. Privacy Impact Assessment Project (20%)
   • Comprehensive DPIA for a sample system
   • Risk assessment and mitigation strategy
3. Data Breach Response Exercise (15%)
   • Simulation response
   • Documentation and analysis
4. Capstone Project (20%)
   • Privacy program design
   • Implementation roadmap
   • Presentation
5. Participation and Engagement (5%)
   • Contribution to discussions
   • Peer collaboration
   • Q&A participation

Grading Scale

• A: 90-100%
• B: 80-89%
• C: 70-79%
• D: 60-69%
• F: Below 60%

Required Materials

• Personal computer with internet access
• Access to the course learning management system
• Privacy assessment templates (provided)
• Regulatory guidance documents (provided)
• Recommended readings (provided throughout the course)

Course Policies

Attendance and Participation

• Instructor-led format: Attendance at live sessions is strongly encouraged
• Self-paced format: Regular progress through course materials is expected
• Active participation in discussions and exercises is essential for full understanding

Confidentiality

• Case discussions may involve sensitive topics
• Respect confidentiality of discussions and examples shared by instructors and peers
• Apply Chatham House Rules to discussions of real-world examples

Academic Integrity

• All work must be original or properly attributed
• Collaboration is encouraged, but individual assignments must reflect individual work
• Proper citation of sources is required for all research-based assignments

Support and Resources

• Instructor office hours (schedule provided at course start)
• Discussion forum for peer assistance
• Curated list of external resources and readings
• Recorded lectures and demonstrations
• Templates and tools for privacy assessments

Accessibility

We are committed to providing an inclusive learning environment. Students with disabilities or special needs are encouraged to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course to discuss accommodations.

Course Schedule

A detailed week-by-week schedule with specific topics, readings, exercises, and assignment due dates will be provided at the start of the course.

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This syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. All changes will be communicated to students in advance.