Data Privacy Foundations E-Learning

Module 1 – Introduction to Data Privacy
• What is data privacy?
• Why data protection matters
• Personal data and data subjects
• Examples of personal data
• Special category data
• Data protection in everyday work
• Individual and organisational responsibilities

Module 2 – GDPR & Irish Data Protection
• Introduction to the GDPR
• Overview of the Data Protection Act 2018
• Role of the Data Protection Commission (DPC)
• Key data protection principles
• Controller and processor – basic understanding
• Employee responsibilities
• Organisational policies and procedures

Module 3 – Lawful & Fair Processing
• Lawfulness, fairness and transparency
• Lawful bases for processing personal data
• Purpose limitation
• Data minimisation
• Accuracy
• Storage limitation
• Integrity and confidentiality
• Accountability

Module 4 – Handling Personal Data Securely
• Collecting and accessing personal data
• Secure storage
• Sharing information appropriately
• Email and document security
• Passwords and access controls
• Clear desk and screen security
• Remote and mobile working
• Secure disposal of personal information

Module 5 – Data Subject Rights
• Right to be informed
• Right of access
• Right to rectification
• Right to erasure
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object
• Automated decision-making – awareness
• How employees should respond to data subject requests

Module 6 – Data Breaches & Cybersecurity Awareness
• What is a personal data breach?
• Common causes of data breaches
• Mis-sent emails and documents
• Lost or stolen devices
• Unauthorised access
• Phishing and social engineering
• Recognising suspicious requests
• Reporting a data breach promptly
• Employee responsibilities following an incident

Module 7 – Data Privacy in the Workplace
• Using email and communication systems responsibly
• Working with customer and employee information
• Sharing information with colleagues and third parties
• Confidentiality
• CCTV and workplace monitoring – awareness
• Working remotely
• Using personal devices and cloud services
• Practical workplace examples

FINAL ASSESSMENT
Assessment Structure
• Format: Multiple-choice questions
• Number of questions: 20
Passing Rate
✅ 70% Pass Mark
Duration: Approximately 45-60 minutes
Delivery: e-learning
Failure Handling
• If the learner fails:
o Can review modules
o Retake assessment (up to 3 times)

This course is suitable for:

• All employees and new starters
• Managers and supervisors
• HR and People teams
• Administrative and office staff
• Employees who handle personal data
• Customer-facing and support teams
• Employees working with customer or employee information
• Employees using company IT systems and communication platforms
• Anyone who collects, accesses, stores or shares personal information

The course is particularly relevant to organisations that want to provide consistent data privacy awareness training to employees across different departments and locations.

Protecting Personal Data
Employees handle personal information every day. Understanding how to manage this information appropriately helps protect individuals and the organisation.

Supporting GDPR Awareness
Data privacy awareness helps employees understand the principles of GDPR and their responsibilities when handling personal information.

Reducing Data Protection Risks
Good data handling practices can reduce the likelihood of accidental disclosure, unauthorised access, loss of information and other privacy incidents.

Preventing Data Breaches
Employees are often the first line of defence against data breaches. Recognising suspicious activity and reporting incidents promptly can help minimise potential harm.

Supporting Workplace Compliance
Providing appropriate data protection awareness training helps organisations promote responsible data handling and support their wider data protection policies and procedures.

Creating a Privacy-Aware Workplace
Effective training helps develop a workplace culture where employees understand the importance of confidentiality, security and responsible use of personal information.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
• Explain the basic principles of data privacy and GDPR
• Identify personal and special category data
• Understand the key data protection principles
• Understand the basic requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018
• Handle personal data securely
• Recognise common data privacy and security risks
• Understand basic data subject rights
• Recognise potential data breaches
• Understand how and when to report a data breach
• Apply good data protection practices in their day-to-day work

Self-Paced Online Learning
• Interactive e-learning modules
• Knowledge checks throughout the course
• Practical workplace examples and scenarios
• Multiple-choice final assessment
• Flexible online access
• Self-paced learning

Delivery Method

Online E-Learning
Learners can complete the course remotely at a time that suits them, making it suitable for individual employees as well as larger organisational training programmes.

The course introduces learners to the key Irish and European data protection framework relevant to workplace data privacy, including:

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• Data Protection Act 2018
• Relevant principles of Irish data protection law
• Role and responsibilities of the Data Protection Commission (DPC)
• Data controller and data processor responsibilities
• Data subject rights
• Personal data protection and security requirements
• Data breach awareness and reporting

The course is designed as general data privacy awareness training and should be used alongside an organisation's own data protection policies, procedures and specialist legal or compliance advice where required.

Samson Training delivers professional workplace training focused on practical awareness, risk reduction and organisational compliance.
Our approach emphasises:
• Practical workplace learning
• GDPR and data privacy awareness
• Risk reduction
• Employee responsibilities
• Secure handling of personal information
• Practical workplace scenarios
• Flexible online learning
• Compliance-focused training
• Accessible training for employees at all levels

Our e-learning format allows organisations to provide consistent training across teams while giving employees the flexibility to complete their learning remotely.

What is Data Privacy Foundations Training?
Data Privacy Foundations Training provides employees with an introduction to data privacy, GDPR and Irish data protection requirements. It focuses on how personal information should be handled responsibly in the workplace.

Who should complete Data Privacy Foundations Training?
The course is suitable for all employees who collect, access, use, store or share personal information. It is particularly useful for HR, administration, management, customer service and office-based teams.

Does the course cover GDPR?
Yes. The course introduces the key principles of GDPR and explains how they apply to everyday workplace activities involving personal data.

Does the course cover Irish data protection requirements?
Yes. The course includes an overview of the Data Protection Act 2018 and the role of the Data Protection Commission (DPC).

Can the course be completed online?
Yes. The course is delivered through self-paced e-learning and can be completed remotely.

How long does the course take?
The course takes approximately 45–60 minutes to complete, depending on the learner.

Is there an assessment?
Yes. Learners complete a 20-question multiple-choice final assessment.

What is the pass mark?
The required pass mark is 70%.

What happens if I fail the assessment?
Learners can review the course modules and retake the assessment. Up to 3 assessment attempts are available.

Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Learners who successfully complete the course receive a Data Privacy Foundations – Certificate of Completion.