CompliQuest

Course Overview

A personal data breach can happen to any organization. It’s essential to know how to recognize it and respond properly. This module explains what constitutes a breach under the GDPR, how to identify it in practice, and what key actions need to be taken immediately after a suspected or confirmed incident.

Through real-life examples, we’ll show what different types of breaches look like, from accidentally sending data to the wrong person, to technical failures, to malicious intrusions. Imagine sending an email containing a customer’s personal data, but you accidentally enter the incorrect address. Alternatively, a ransomware attack may occur that blocks access to systems and data, rendering them temporarily unavailable. Perhaps you’ve received a convincing phishing email and unintentionally entered your credentials to access a business system.

With these and other practical examples, we’ll explain what differentiates a breach from common mistakes, how to react in case of a breach, and what consequences delayed or missing responses can have. The focus is on real business situations, not abstract theory, so that employees can immediately recognize risks in their own work environment.

The goal of the module is to empower all employees to quickly identify potential breaches and respond appropriately, preventing harm to users and reducing risk to the organization. Effective reporting and response are not just obligations. They are key measures for data protection and building trust in the security of business processes.

Who is this course for?
This course is ideal for all employees who process, transfer, or have access to personal data in their work, regardless of their role or level of technical expertise:

1. Customer support and sales teams – who frequently handle personal data through communication with customers, complaint management, and order processing
2. IT and security teams – who maintain systems and may be the first to notice technical errors, unauthorized access, or security vulnerabilities 
3. Marketing and CRM staff – who manage databases, analyze user behaviour, and create targeted campaigns
4. Branch, team, and department managers – who hold operational responsibility and are tasked with guiding their teams in handling breaches.
5. Finance and accounting teams – who process payment data, invoices, and customer banking information.
6. Legal departments and Data Protection Officers (DPOs) – who coordinate incident reporting to supervisory authorities and manage legal risks.
7. Logistics and delivery services – who handle personal data such as addresses, contact numbers, and delivery details.
8. Administrative staff and assistants – who may have access to personal data through documents, emails, or internal information sharing. 
9. All employees – since, under the GDPR, anyone who notices a suspected breach has a duty to act promptly and report the incident to the appropriate person within the organisation. 

Modules

• GDPR Incidents– This module provides a clear overview of what qualifies as a personal data breach under GDPR and how to recognize situations that require immediate action. The module also covers who to report to, what information to collect, and why a quick response is crucial.