GDPR COMPLIANCE AUDIT: ENSURES COMPLIANCE WITH THE GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA
“Ensuring Compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation to Protect Personal Data and Mitigate Risk”
Course Schedule
| Date | Venue | Fees (Face-to-Face) |
|---|---|---|
| 07 – 11 Sep 2026 | London, UK | USD 3495 per delegate |
Course Introduction
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) imposes strict obligations on organizations that collect, store, or process personal data of EU citizens. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines, reputational damage, and legal action. Conducting regular GDPR audits is essential to assess readiness, identify gaps, and implement effective data protection practices.
This intensive 5-day course provides a comprehensive guide to auditing GDPR compliance. Participants will gain hands-on knowledge of GDPR principles, audit methodology, data subject rights, risk assessments, documentation, and enforcement mechanisms. Whether preparing for internal evaluation or external regulatory inspection, this course equips professionals with the tools and confidence to conduct effective data protection audits.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
• Understand the structure, principles, and legal obligations of GDPR
• Plan and conduct GDPR compliance audits across departments and systems
• Evaluate policies, processes, and technical controls for lawful data processing
• Verify implementation of data subject rights, breach response, and consent mechanisms
• Document findings, report gaps, and guide remediation strategies
Key Benefits of Attending
• To minimize the risk of GDPR non-compliance and associated penalties
• To assess how personal data is collected, used, stored, and protected
• To ensure transparency, accountability, and lawfulness in data handling
• To prepare for regulatory reviews or data protection authority inspections
• To improve organizational trust and data governance practices
Intended Audience
This program is designed for:
• Data protection officers (DPOs) and privacy officers
• Internal and IT auditors
• Compliance and legal professionals
• IT security and governance managers
• Anyone responsible for GDPR implementation or oversight
Individual Benefits
Key competencies that will be developed include:
• GDPR audit planning and execution
• Data lifecycle assessment and compliance testing
• Gap analysis and remediation planning
• Legal, operational, and technical evaluation skills
• Risk-based reporting and stakeholder communication
Organization Benefits
Upon completing the training course, participants will demonstrate:
• Improved GDPR compliance and risk management
• Stronger documentation, consent, and data subject rights handling
• Enhanced incident preparedness and breach reporting capability
• Clarity around data flows and third-party data processor accountability
• Auditable records and readiness for regulatory inspections
Instructional Methdology
The course follows a blended learning approach combining theory with practice:
• Strategy Briefings – Legal interpretation, GDPR enforcement trends, audit strategy
• Case Studies – Breach scenarios and real-world GDPR failures
• Workshops – Data mapping, consent analysis, and policy audits
• Peer Exchange – Best practices and sector-specific compliance challenges
• Tools – GDPR audit checklists, risk templates, RoPA (Record of Processing Activities) forms, and DPIA guides
Course Outline
Detailed 5-Day 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: GDPR Fundamentals and Audit Framework
- Module 1: Overview of GDPR and Its Legal Foundations (07:30 – 09:30)
• Key articles, principles, and lawful processing grounds
• Roles: controller, processor, and data subject - Module 2: Risk-Based Audit Planning (09:45 – 11:15)
• Scoping the audit and identifying high-risk areas
• Selecting departments, systems, and activities - Module 3: Documentation and Accountability Requirements (11:30 – 01:00)
• Records of processing activities (RoPA)
• Data inventories and policies - Module 4: Workshop – Build a GDPR Audit Plan (02:00 – 03:30)
• Outline objectives, scope, and checklist items
Day 2: Data Collection, Consent, and Rights of Data Subjects
- Module 1: Lawful Bases for Data Processing (07:30 – 09:30)
• Consent, legitimate interest, legal obligation, etc.
• Evaluating basis for each processing activity - Module 2: Consent Management and Withdrawal (09:45 – 11:15)
• Elements of valid consent under GDPR
• Recording and managing consent - Module 3: Data Subject Rights (11:30 – 01:00)
• Access, rectification, erasure, portability, objection
• Reviewing requests and response processes - Module 4: Simulation – Review a Consent and Rights Handling Process (02:00 – 03:30)
• Audit a mock system for gaps and violations
Day 3: Data Protection by Design, Security, and Third-Party Compliance
- Module 1: Data Protection by Design and Default (07:30 – 09:30)
• Embedding privacy in systems and processes
• Reviewing software and IT practices - Module 2: Technical and Organizational Measures (TOMs) (09:45 – 11:15)
• Encryption, access control, backup, data minimization
• Reviewing IT security controls - Module 3: Vendor and Processor Management (11:30 – 01:00)
• Contract clauses, sub-processing, and due diligence
• Third-party audit and compliance records - Module 4: Workshop – Processor and Vendor Risk Review (02:00 – 03:30)
• Assess sample third-party agreements
Day 4: Incident Handling, DPIAs, and Audit Evidence
- Module 1: Data Breach Reporting and Incident Response (07:30 – 09:30)
• Breach notification rules and documentation
• Incident response planning and logs - Module 2: Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) (09:45 – 11:15)
• When DPIAs are required
• Evaluating DPIA quality and completeness - Module 3: Evidence Collection and Findings Documentation (11:30 – 01:00)
• Interviewing, system access, and checklists
• Evidence integrity and traceability - Module 4: Simulation – Evaluate a DPIA and Breach Log (02:00 – 03:30)
• Review documents and identify improvement areas
Day 5: Audit Reporting, Follow-Up, and Continuous Improvement
- Module 1: Writing the GDPR Audit Report (07:30 – 09:30)
• Finding categories, severity ratings, and suggested actions - Module 2: Remediation Planning and Stakeholder Engagement (09:45 – 11:15)
• Tracking gaps and assigning accountability - Module 3: Maintaining Compliance Over Time (11:30 – 01:00)
• Monitoring, awareness, and internal audit cycles - Module 4: Final Presentations and Certification (02:00 – 03:30)
• Group presentations, feedback, and course closure
Certification
Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion in GDPR Compliance Audit, verifying their ability to audit, evaluate, and improve data protection practices aligned with the General Data Protection Regulation.