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University of Cape Town: Data Protection and Privacy

Lead data policy in your organization with an understanding of South African and international data laws and regulations.

Lead data policy in your organization with an understanding of South African and international data laws and regulations.

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This course is offered by , an edX partner
8 weeks
7–10 hours per week
Starts Mar 3, 2025
Enroll by Mar 9, 2025
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule

Get more information

Want to know more? Enter your information to learn more about this course from GetSmarter (an edX partner).

Get more information

Want to know more? Enter your information to learn more about this course from GetSmarter (an edX partner).

8 weeks
7–10 hours per week
Starts Mar 3, 2025
Enroll by Mar 9, 2025
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule

About this Course

Data has become one of the most valuable assets in the business world. However, while properly utilized data can hold rich rewards for savvy companies, mismanagement can herald disaster. As a result, governments around the world have increasingly cast their eye towards data protection and privacy, while consumers are better educated than ever about their data rights.

In this climate, organizations need professionals who can navigate local and international regulations, and who are able to guide data policy design, implementation, and monitoring. The University of Cape Town (UCT) Data Protection and Privacy online short course equips you with the skills to mitigate the financial, legal, and reputational risks of data management. Beginning with an exploration of South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and its international counterparts, this course offers you the knowledge to take the lead on data protection in your organization. On the course, you’ll gain practical tools allowing you to monitor, review, report on, and improve data controls, ultimately validating your knowledge with a certificate of completion from UCT, Africa’s leading university.*

*QS Top Universities (Apr, 2021).

This course is ideal for professionals who operate in the legal, risk, and compliance fields and wish to guide their organization’s data policy implementation. For early career professionals and those interested in a career in data protection, the course provides a practical, risk-based approach to their craft. Current data protection professionals and business leaders will gain an up-to-date perspective of regulations and laws, in both the South African and global context, to inform the strategic risks and opportunities faced by modern businesses. The course also provides the opportunity to learn to develop and implement data policies, while investigating modern trends in data protection.

Course curriculum

Skip Course curriculum

Develop your ability to design and implement data privacy and protection policies as you work through the weekly modules of this online short course.

Orientation module: Welcome to your Online Campus

Module 1: Privacy and the people problem

Module 2: The regulatory universe and best practice standards

Module 3: Governance structures and responsibilities

Module 4: Critical organisational stakeholders

Module 5: Policy development and control design

Module 6: Implementing data protection controls

Module 7: Monitor and review the efficacy of controls

Module 8: The future of privacy and data protection

About the certificate

Gain knowledge about data policy design and implementation, and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.

Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.

Your certificate will be issued in your legal name and sent to you digitally upon successful completion of the program, as per the stipulated requirements. Please note, due to additional administrative requirements, at times UCT course certificate delivery may be delayed by several weeks/months.

Some facts about the subject

99%

The amount of surveyed consumers who believe that companies need to improve their trustworthiness.

Salesforce (2020).

R10 million

The maximum penalty under the South African Protection of Personal Information Act of 2013, as well as a potential maximum of 10 years imprisonment.

POPI Act Compliance (Nd). Accessed 23 April 2021.

Why choose GetSmarter?

GetSmarter, an edX partner, delivers career-relevant, fully supported, and expert-led online courses from the world's leading universities and institutions. As an online learning expert with over 15 years' experience, GetSmarter leverages long-standing expertise in market research, data analysis, and business insights to ensure that you gain the skills critical to career growth.