BCS Foundation Certificate in Data Protection Practice Exam

The BCS Foundation Certificate in Data Protection from the British Computer Society (BCS) is a certification aimed at providing professionals with a basic understanding of data protection principles and legislation, also related to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The certificate includes data protection rights, responsibilities, and best practices for handling personal data. The BCS Foundation certification is suitable for professionals looking to enhance their knowledge in data protection and compliance, making it relevant in today’s data-driven environment.
Why is BCS Foundation Certificate in Data Protection important?

• Provides a solid foundation in data protection principles and GDPR compliance.
• Enhances understanding of data subject rights and organizational responsibilities.
• Equips professionals to effectively manage and protect personal data.
• Supports career development in data protection, compliance, and risk management roles.
• Fosters awareness of legal obligations and best practices in handling data.

Who should take the BCS Foundation Certificate in Data Protection Exam?

• Data Protection Officers
• Compliance Managers
• Risk Managers
• IT Security Professionals
• Data Analysts
• HR Professionals
• Legal Advisors
• Information Governance Officers
• Project Managers
• Business Analysts

Candidates taking the certification exam on the BCS Foundation Certificate in Data Protection is evaluated for the following skills:

• Key data protection principles and legislation.
• GDPR requirements and implications for organizations.
• Identify and assess data protection risks.
• Data subject rights and organizational responsibilities.
• Implementing data protection best practices.

BCS Foundation Certificate in Data Protection Certification Course Outline
The BCS Foundation Certificate in Data Protection Certification covers the following topics -

Module 1. INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF DATA PROTECTION IN THE U.K.

• The awareness around personal data rights in the EU and the UK.

• Explaining the territorial scope and jurisdiction of the UK GDPR (Article 3).

Module 2 UNDERSTANDING PRINCIPLES OF DATA PROTECTION AND APPLICABLE TERMINOLOGY.

• Defining the key items of terminology.

• Explaining the data protection principles.

Module 3. UNDERSTANDING LAWFUL BASES FOR PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA.

• Illustrating the lawful basis to process Personal Data listed under (as per the Article 6) of the UK GDPR

• Explaining the conditions permitted for processing special category data listed under Article 9 of UK GDPR/ Schedule 1 of the DPA.

Module 4. UNDERSTANDING ACCOUNTABILITY PRINCIPLE.

• Identifying the accountability obligations (as per the Article 5 (2) and Article 24) UK GDPR.

• Explaining the purpose of a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) UK GDPR.

• Illustrating the process of conducting a DPIA (as per the Article 35) UK GDPR and identify when risks arising from a DPIA may need prior consultation with the ICO (Article 36) UK GDPR.

• Recognizing the importance of keeping a record of processing activity (RoPA) (as per the Article 30) UK GDPR.

• Outlining the interplay with privacy notices (as per the Article 13 & 14) UK GDPR.

• Demonstrating how to adopt a ‘data protection by design and by default’ approach (as per the Article 25) UK GDPR.

• Recognizing suitable information security measures (as per the Article 32) UK GDPR.

• Illustrating the designation, position and tasks of the Data Protection Officer (DPO) (as per the Article 37 to 39) UK GDPR.

• Illustrating the role of the DPO and compliance monitoring.

Module 5. UNDERSTANDING OBLIGATIONS OF CONTROLLERS, JOINT CONTROLLERS AND DATA PROCESSORS.

• Recognizing the controller and processor obligations.

Module 6. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS UNDER UK GDPR.

• Illustrate the principles of data transfers under UK GDPR and the impact of data transfers to and from the European Union (EU).

Module 7. UNDERSTANDING DATA SUBJECT RIGHTS.

• Illustrate the key rights granted to individuals (as per the Articles 12 to 17 and 21 to 22) UK GDPR.

• Describe the fundamental rights of other information requests.

• Illustrate the impact of AI on data rights.

Module 8. UNDERSTANDING INDEPENDENT SUPERVISORY AUTHORITIES (ISAS) AND THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE (ICO).

• Expressing awareness of the role of ISAs under EU GDPR. (as per the Article 57 & 58 EU GDPR).

• Illustrating the role of the ICO.

Module 9. UNDERSTANDING BREACHES, ENFORCEMENT AND LIABILITY.

• Illustrate the obligation and requirements surrounding the reporting of personal data breaches (as per the UK GDPR Articles 33 and 34).

• Recognize the powers of the ICO that can be imposed as a result of a data protection breach or data protection complaint (as per the Article 58 UK GDPR).

• Describe liabilities.

Module 10. UNDERSTANDING PRIVACY AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS (EC DIRECTIVE) REGULATIONS (PECR) 2003 AND SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS.

• Recognize the relationship between the UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018 and PECR in respect of marketing. (Email phone, SMS, in-app messaging, push notifications).