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In today's increasingly digital world, data protection and information security are no longer the sole responsibility of IT departments. All staff at the University will handle sensitive information in some capacity as part of their work, whether it be student information, staff records, or research data. That’s why there’s no better time to take advantage of the cost-free e-learning course offered by East Sussex College Group specialising in Data Protection and Data Security.

Why enrol:

• Comprehensive curriculum: Gain a comprehensive foundation in data protection, cyber security, and ethical handling of information. Through four key units, learners will:

1. Become familiar with current data protection legislations, such as the Data Protection Act 2018 and Freedom of Information Act.
2. Explore procedures organisations might take to protect the information they hold and the importance of doing so.
3. Gain an awareness of common threats to ICT systems and information and how they can be protected.
4. Understand the consequences of not protecting sensitive data, such as legal, reputational, and financial impacts on organisations, and the impact of data breaches on individuals.

• Flexible and accessible learning: With an estimated completion time of 8 to 12 weeks, the course is fully online and designed to be self-paced, allowing you to study at your own pace and convenience. You will benefit from an experienced assessor on hand to help you with any questions you might have.

• Professional development: Employers value individuals with knowledge of data protection and security who can contribute to reducing organisational risk. Upon successful completion of the course, you will gain a fully accredited Level 2 certificate by NCFE CACHE, enhancing your CV and career prospects.

Greg Toth from the Information Management team (GCGC) at the University says:

“Data protection is about the fair and appropriate use of information relating to individuals. We all have a duty to comply with the principles and requirements of data protection legislation when processing personal data as described in the University’s Data Protection Policy.

The course will hopefully help everyone to identify and minimise data protection risks of their specific projects or particular areas of work. For any data protection advice, please feel free to contact us on GDPR@sussex.ac.uk.”

How to get started:

Signing up is simple. Just visit the East Sussex College Group website and choose Understanding Data Protection and Data Security.

You will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire, which includes a simple maths and English assessment, and provide identification details such as your passport/driving licence to verify your eligibility for the free course. Make sure to sign up using your @sussex.ac.uk email address.

For further information, please email Independent.learning@escg.ac.uk or check out East Sussex College Group’s Frequently Asked Questions.  

Continuing Professional Development

With the festive season approaching, why not take advantage of the holiday period to complete some continuing professional development? East Sussex College Group offers over 25 free, flexible online courses designed to fit around your schedule – perfect for career-boosting learning during the break.

Explore topics ranging from Equality and Diversity, Information Advice or Guidance, or Mental Health Awareness, and enhance your expertise at your own pace. Get started here: https://adult.escg.ac.uk/online-courses/free-elearning/ Don’t miss this opportunity to make the most of your downtime! 

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