Data Protection & DSGVO for Managers

Data Protection & GDPR for Managers – GDPR obligations, compliance management and data protection law explained practically. With recognised course certificate.

Data Protection & DSGVO for Managers

Overview of Data Protection & DSGVO for Managers

Data protection breaches cost companies in Germany millions. Data protection authorities are imposing heavy fines with increasing frequency, and responsibility often lies directly with management. Do you know whether your company is GDPR-compliant today? Many managers are unsure. That is a serious risk for the organisation and for your own career.

The course Data Protection & GDPR for Managers gives you everything you need to know as a person in a position of responsibility. You will learn the legal foundations of the General Data Protection Regulation, understand your obligations as a decision-maker, and gain the skills to implement data protection effectively within your team and organisation. No legal background required, the course is clear, practical, and immediately applicable.

Managers carry a particular responsibility when it comes to data protection. They make decisions about processes, systems, and people. With this course, you will be able to identify data protection risks at an early stage, act in a legally compliant manner, and build a strong data protection culture within your organisation. That strengthens your company and your reputation as a competent leader.

Data Protection & DSGVO for Managers

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Explain the legal foundations of the GDPR and the BDSG and apply them to your professional practice
  • Distinguish between personal data and special categories of data, and handle them correctly
  • Understand and fulfil your obligations as a controller or processor under German law
  • Appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) in accordance with §38 BDSG and deploy them effectively
  • Identify data breaches quickly, report them internally, and notify authorities within the required timeframes
  • Implement technical and organisational measures (TOMs) in accordance with Art. 32 GDPR
  • Conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) as required under Art. 35 GDPR
  • Apply data protection principles in sensitive areas such as HR, healthcare, and financial services
  • Prepare for and support internal and external data protection audits
  • Understand current developments, including the EU AI Act and cross-border data transfers

Course Curriculum

5 Sections 20 Lectures 5 Hours
  • Legal Foundations: BDSG, GDPR, and Historical Development
  • Core GDPR Principles and Their Managerial Relevance
  • Personal vs. Sensitive Data: Definitions and Scope
  • Data Subject Rights: Access, Deletion, and Objection
  • Controller and Processor Responsibilities under German Law
  • Appointing and Managing a DPO – §38 BDSG Explained
  • Documentation and Record-Keeping Obligations – Art. 30 GDPR
  • Responding to Data Breaches – Notification Procedures and Timelines
  • Implementing Technical and Organizational Measures – Art. 32
  • Data Protection Impact Assessments – Art. 35
  • Data Mapping, Consent, and Workflow Management Tools
  • Privacy by Design & Default – System-Level Integration
  • Employee Data Protection and Workplace Surveillance– §26 BDSG
  • Data Protection in Healthcare, HR, and Financial Services
  • Data Processing in Educational and Research Institutions
  • Vendor and Cloud Service Risk Assessment
  • Management Accountability and Legal Liability for Non-Compliance
  • Internal & External Audits, ISO/IEC 27701 Readiness
  • Ethics, Transparency, and Privacy Culture in Organizations
  • Global Trends: EU AI Act, Cross-Border Transfers, and Future Compliance

Who is this course suitable for?

This course is designed for:

  • Managers and executives who carry data protection responsibilities
  • Team leaders who manage employee data or work with sensitive information
  • HR professionals and heads of people functions
  • Compliance and risk managers
  • IT managers and technical leaders with data protection responsibilities
  • Managing directors of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
  • Data Protection Officers who are new to the role or looking to develop further
  • Professionals and leaders who want to deepen their GDPR knowledge in a targeted way

Requirements

  • No legal background required
  • A basic understanding of business processes is helpful
  • An openness to legal and organisational topics
  • Internet access and a modern device (PC, tablet, or smartphone)

Career opportunities

Data protection is one of the most in-demand competencies in the German job market. This course prepares you for roles such as:

  • Data Protection Officer (DPO):
     Responsible for ensuring GDPR compliance across the organisation. Can operate as an internal or external DPO under §38 BDSG. 
  • Compliance Manager
    Monitors adherence to legal requirements and internal policies.
  • Data Protection Coordinator
    Coordinates data protection processes across departments. 
  • IT Security Officer
    Responsible for technical safeguards and data security.
  • Risk Manager with Data Protection Focus
    Assesses and mitigates data protection risks within the organisation.
  • HR Manager with Data Protection Expertise
    Responsible for legally compliant personnel management and employee data handling. 

Further information on salaries and career paths in data protection is available from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS).

Certification information

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a Data Protection & DSGVO for Managers Certificate documenting your knowledge & skills in this area.

Certificate Image

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What do managers need to know about the GDPR? +

Managers share responsibility for ensuring GDPR compliance within their area of responsibility. They need to understand what data their team processes, how consent is obtained, how data breaches are reported, and what documentation obligations apply. This course delivers exactly this kind of practical, role-relevant knowledge.

02 When is a Data Protection Officer mandatory in Germany? +

Under §38 BDSG, a DPO is required when at least 20 people in an organisation regularly process personal data. In certain sectors – such as healthcare – the requirement may apply regardless of the number of employees. The course explains the precise conditions in detail.

03 What penalties can be imposed for GDPR violations in Germany? +

Data protection authorities can impose fines of up to €20 million or 4% of global annual turnover – whichever is higher. This is in addition to reputational damage and potential civil claims. As a manager, you may be held personally liable.

04 What is a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)? +

A DPIA is a risk assessment that organisations must carry out when a processing activity is likely to pose a high risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals – for example, when introducing new surveillance systems or processing sensitive health data. Art. 35 GDPR sets out the requirements. The course shows how to conduct a DPIA in practice.

05 How quickly must a data breach be reported? +

Data breaches must be reported to the competent supervisory authority within 72 hours of becoming aware of them. Where affected individuals face a significant risk to their rights, they must also be notified directly. Failure to comply can result in substantial fines. Module 2 of this course covers this in full.

06 What does Privacy by Design mean for managers? +

Privacy by Design means that data protection is built into new products, systems, or processes from the outset – not added as an afterthought. As a manager, your input is required whenever new tools or workflows are introduced. The course explains how to embed Privacy by Design into your organisation.

07 Does the GDPR apply to small businesses and SMEs in Germany? +

Yes. The GDPR applies to all organisations that process personal data of EU residents – regardless of company size. Sole traders, start-ups, and small businesses are all required to comply. Further guidance is available from the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI).

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