EFFECTIVE DATA PRIVACY AUDIT
Auditing Data Protection Controls to Ensure Compliance, Accountability, and Trust
Course Schedule
| Date | Venue | Fees (Face-to-Face) |
|---|---|---|
| 25 – 29 Aug 2025 | London – UK | USD 3495 per delegate |
Course Introduction
Data privacy is an increasingly critical concern for organizations facing growing regulatory requirements and public scrutiny. An effective data privacy audit helps assess compliance with laws like the GDPR, CCPA, and other data protection frameworks while reinforcing stakeholder confidence and organizational accountability.
This 5-day course provides internal auditors and data governance professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to plan, execute, and report on privacy audits. The training blends regulatory understanding, risk-based audit techniques, and real-world case studies to ensure participants can identify control weaknesses, recommend improvements, and align privacy practices with business goals.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand key data protection regulations (GDPR, CCPA, etc.) and their audit implications
- Plan and conduct data privacy audits using risk-based approaches
- Evaluate privacy policies, consent mechanisms, and data lifecycle management
- Assess third-party data handling and cross-border transfers
- Report audit findings and develop actionable remediation plans
Key Benefits of Attending
- Gain confidence in auditing privacy programs and controls
- Learn to identify regulatory non-compliance and reputational risks
- Benchmark your organization’s privacy maturity and readiness
- Access tools, templates, and case examples of privacy audits
- Enhance your value as a privacy-savvy internal auditor
Intended Audience
This program is designed for:
- Internal and IT auditors
- Data protection officers (DPOs) and compliance professionals
- Information security managers
- Privacy program leads and legal advisors
- Risk and governance professionals overseeing data practices
Individual Benefits
Key competencies that will be developed include:
- Deep understanding of global data privacy regulations and standards
- Proficiency in conducting privacy impact assessments and audits
- Enhanced analytical skills to assess data handling risks
- Ability to communicate audit findings and compliance gaps effectively
- Increased readiness for regulatory audits and assessments
Organization Benefits
Upon completing the training course, participants will demonstrate:
- Stronger data governance and accountability across departments
- Improved compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other regulations
- Reduced risk of data breaches and penalties
- Enhanced internal audit capabilities in data privacy domains
- Increased customer trust through improved privacy assurance
Instructional Methdology
The course follows a blended learning approach combining theory with practice:
- Strategy Briefings – Deep dive into global data privacy laws and audit frameworks
- Case Studies – Real-world incidents and responses to data breaches and audits
- Workshops – Practical exercises to assess privacy controls and develop audit plans
- Peer Exchange – Group discussions on audit challenges in data privacy
- Tools – Templates for audit checklists, DPIAs, consent reviews, and vendor assessments
Course Outline
Training Hours: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Daily Format: 3–4 Learning Modules | Coffee breaks: 09:30 & 11:15 | Lunch Buffet: 01:00 – 02:00
Day 1: Foundations of Data Privacy and Audit Requirements
- Module 1: Overview of Global Privacy Regulations (07:30 – 09:30)
- Key elements of GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy frameworks
- Principles of lawful processing, rights of individuals, and penalties
- Regulatory expectations and enforcement mechanisms
- Module 2: The Role of Auditors in Data Privacy (09:45 – 11:15)
- Privacy audit vs security audit vs compliance review
- Responsibilities and ethical considerations for auditors
- Aligning audit scope with business and regulatory priorities
- Module 3: Privacy Risk Assessment and Control Mapping (11:30 – 01:00)
- Identifying privacy risks across the data lifecycle
- Evaluating technical and organizational safeguards
- Control objectives for privacy and data protection
- Module 4: Workshop – Privacy Risk Scenario Analysis (02:00 – 03:30)
- Case-based identification of privacy risks
- Mapping controls and gaps
- Facilitated group discussions
Day 2: Planning the Privacy Audit
- Module 1: Scoping and Objectives (07:30 – 09:30)
- Identifying in-scope data, systems, and processes
- Prioritizing audit areas using risk-based methods
- Defining audit criteria and documentation requirements
- Module 2: Audit Planning and Evidence Gathering (09:45 – 11:15)
- Planning interviews, walkthroughs, and sampling
- Gathering and reviewing privacy policies, consent forms, and retention schedules
- Interview techniques for DPOs, legal, and IT staff
- Module 3: Data Mapping and Flow Analysis (11:30 – 01:00)
- Visualizing data flows across systems and geographies
- Identifying sensitive data, processors, and third-party risks
- Mapping personal data lifecycle from collection to deletion
- Module 4: Workshop – Building a Data Map for Audit (02:00 – 03:30)
- Using templates to document data assets and flows
- Group activity to assess completeness and accuracy
- Sharing audit findings
Day 3: Auditing Core Privacy Controls
- Module 1: Consent Management and Legal Basis (07:30 – 09:30)
- Evaluating consent practices, opt-in/out mechanisms
- Assessing legal basis for data processing
- Risks in relying on legitimate interest or outdated consents
- Module 2: Data Subject Rights and Requests (09:45 – 11:15)
- Handling access, rectification, deletion, and portability requests
- Timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of responses
- Auditing DSAR processes and tracking systems
- Module 3: Third-Party Management and Data Sharing (11:30 – 01:00)
- Auditing contracts, vendor assessments, and data sharing agreements
- Evaluating sub-processors and cross-border data transfers
- Using SCCs and transfer impact assessments
- Module 4: Workshop – Reviewing a Vendor Privacy Agreement (02:00 – 03:30)
- Group evaluation of a sample DPA
- Identifying red flags and missing clauses
- Presenting recommendations
Day 4: Incident Response, Breach Management & Monitoring
- Module 1: Data Breach Preparedness and Reporting (07:30 – 09:30)
- Assessing breach response plans and procedures
- Notification timelines, reporting channels, and documentation
- Case studies of real breaches and lessons learned
- Module 2: Monitoring and Ongoing Compliance (09:45 – 11:15)
- KPIs and metrics for privacy compliance
- Internal audit’s role in monitoring changes in regulations
- Continuous improvement practices
- Module 3: Audit Reporting and Recommendations (11:30 – 01:00)
- Structuring effective audit reports
- Communicating findings with clarity and impact
- Prioritizing remediation actions
- Module 4: Workshop – Writing a Privacy Audit Report (02:00 – 03:30)
- Drafting findings from a simulated audit
- Peer review and improvement suggestions
- Instructor feedback and tips
Day 5: Maturity Assessment and Final Review
- Module 1: Privacy Maturity Models (07:30 – 09:30)
- Assessing organizational privacy posture
- Benchmarking against global standards (NIST, ISO/IEC 27701)
- Maturity levels and action plans
- Module 2: Integrating Privacy into Risk and Governance (09:45 – 11:15)
- Connecting privacy with ERM and compliance frameworks
- Role of internal audit in privacy strategy
- Promoting accountability and ownership
- Module 3: Emerging Trends in Data Privacy (11:30 – 01:00)
- AI, biometrics, and evolving data protection challenges
- Regulatory updates and future readiness
- Impact of digital transformation on privacy audits
- Module 4: Final Review and Action Planning (02:00 – 03:30)
- Personal audit action plans and takeaways
- Course summary and Q&A
- Final knowledge check and wrap-up
Certification
Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion in Data Privacy Auditing, confirming their expertise in evaluating, monitoring, and improving data protection practices aligned with international regulations and standards.