Category: UK GDPR

New DP and IG Practitioner Apprenticeship

Act Now Training has teamed up with Damar Training on materials and expertise underpinning its new Data Protection and Information Governance Practitioner Level 4 Apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship, which received final approval in March, will help develop the skills of those working in the increasingly important fields of data protection and information governance. 

With the rapid advancement of technology, there is a huge amount of personal data being processed by organisations, which is the subject of important decisions affecting every aspect of people’s lives. This poses significant legal and ethical challenges, as well as the risk of incurring considerable fines from regulators for non compliance. 

This apprenticeship aims to develop individuals into accomplished data protection and information governance practitioners with the knowledge, skills and competencies to address these challenges.

Ibrahim Hasan, Director of Act Now, said:

“We are excited to be working Damar Training to help deliver this much needed apprenticeship. We are committed to developing the IG sector and encouraging a diverse range of entrants to the IG profession. We have looked at every aspect of the IG Apprenticeship standard to ensure the training materials equip budding IG officers with the knowledge and skills they need to implement the full range of IG legislation in a practical way.”

Damar’s managing director, Jonathan Bourne, added:

“We want apprenticeships to create real, long-term value for apprentices and organisations. It is vital therefore that we work with partners who really understand not only the technical detail but also the needs of employers.

Act Now Training are acknowledged as leaders in the field, having recently won the Information and Records Management Society (IRMS) Supplier of the Year award for the second consecutive year. I am delighted therefore that we are able to bring together their 20 years of deep sector expertise with Damar’s 40+ year record of delivering apprenticeship in business and professional services.”

This apprenticeship has already sparked significant interest, particularly among large public and private sector organisations and professional services firms. Damar has also assembled an employer reference group that is feeding into the design process in real time to ensure that the programme works for employers.

The employer reference group met for the first time on May 25. It included industry professionals across a variety of sectors including private and public health care, financial services, local and national government, education, IT and data consultancy, some of whom were part of the apprenticeship trailblazer group.

If your organisation is interested in the apprenticeship please get in touch with us to discuss further.

Three New GDPR Workshops from Act Now Training

Act Now Training is pleased to announce three new additions to our GDPR workshop series. 

Data ethics is increasingly relevant to the role of information professionals. Just because the processing of personal data is lawful does not make it fair or ‘ethical’. And indeed, where something is fair it does not always mean it is lawful. Whilst the UK GDPR gives us some structure for working out what is a fair and proportionate use of personal data (and thus ethical), there can be a wide range of issues outside of the law to consider.  

Our Data Ethics workshop will explore what the term ‘Data Ethics’ actually means, the role it plays in the use of personal data (and indeed other data) and what practical steps information professionals can take to embed and promote data ethics within their organisations. From how to consider data ethics in DPIAs and sharing requests, through to embedding a practical data ethics framework in your organisation, we will pose questions, share experiences and best practice and where to find further guidance and support. 

A subject which has many ethical considerations is the use of Artificial Intelligence (also known as AI) and Machine Learning. AI is not coming; it is here. Whether ordering a taxi or submitting your tax return, AI is operating in the background. AI and Machine Learning have the capacity to improve our lives but, like all technologies, they have the potential to ruin lives too.  

Our new workshop, How to implement Good Information Governance into Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Projects, will explore exactly what ‘AI’ and ‘Machine Learning’ are and how they are starting to appear in the working environment. We will also explore the common challenges that these present focussing on GDPR as well as other information governance and records management issues.  Delegates will leave the workshop with practical ideas for how to approach Machine Learning and AI as well as awareness of key resources, current best practice and how they can keep up to date about a fast-developing area of technology. Think that AI is something for future generations to deal with? This workshop will make you think again!

The concepts of controller, joint controller and processor play a crucial role in the application of GDPR. They determine who is responsible for compliance with different data protection rules and how data subjects can exercise their rights in practice.  The precise meaning of these concepts and the criterion for their correct interpretation is the subject of much confusion. Incorrect interpretation can lead to the wrong allocation of data protection responsibilities leading to disputes when things go wrong. 

Our new workshop, Data Controller, Processor or Joint Controller: What am I?, will help both controllers and processors to understand their responsibilities and liabilities under GDPR and how to structure their relationships. This interactive workshop will explain the key differences between data controllers, joint controllers and data processors and what the roles and responsibilities are for each. By the end of this workshop, delegates will gain the confidence to decide on what an organisation’s role is under GDPR and how to manage the different relationships.

At Act Now we are always keen to hear from information governance professionals. If you have ideas for new workshops, or are interested in running one, please get in touch.

Introducing the New UK GDPR Handbook

GDPR Handbook Front Cover with Tabs cropped

Act Now Training is pleased to announce the launch of the new UK GDPR Handbook.

The handbook is designed for data protection practitioners and legal advisers who require a complete guide to the UK Data Protection regime post Brexit.

The UK’s exit from the European Union has resulted in changes to the principal UK Data Protection legislation namely the EU General Data Protection Regulation 2016 (EU GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018). The revision of the GDPR, pursuant to the Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, is now known as the ‘UK GDPR’.

The UK GDPR Handbook sets out the full text of the UK GDPR laid out in a clear and easy to read format including tabs for ease of navigation. Tabs have been the most requested feature from user feedback of our popular EU GDPR Handbook.

The Handbook cross references the EU GDPR recitals, which also now form part of the UK GDPR, allowing for a more logical reading. Amendments, insertions and deletions (made by the 2019 regulations and shown in the Keeling Schedule) have been clearly indicated, using a colour coding system, to allow users to easily identify what has been changed. Relevant provisions of the amended DPA 2018 have been included where they contribute to the further understanding of the UK GDPR. Guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office, Article 29 Working Party and the European Data Protection Board is also signposted to assist users in interpreting the legislation.

Act Now has sold over 3000 copies of the EU GDPR Handbook. This new publication will be a valuable addition to data protection practitioners’ libraries. Ibrahim Hasan, the editor of the UK GDPR Handbook, said:

“I am really pleased with the publication of the UK GDPR handbook. My team and I have tried to produce a clear and easy to follow publication which will help practitioners navigate their way around this complex legislation.”

SPECIAL PRE ORDER PRICE

The UK GDPR Handbook will soon be on sale at £54.95 plus p&p.

We have a special price of only pre order price of £44.95 plus p&p until 12th March 2021 for the first 500 copies. Orders will be shipped from 22nd March 2021. Order now here.

Act Now will be donating £1 for each handbook sold to our chosen charity Woodgate Community Food based in Leicester.

Delegates on  the Act Now  Advanced Certificate  in GDPR Practice  will receive a complimentary copy of the UK GDPR Handbook as part of their course materials.