Data Protection Essentials for Administrative Staff (AS-041) Training Course

Data Protection Essentials for Administrative Staff

Administrative staff handle large volumes of personal information every day, including staff records, customer details, visitor logs, emails, contracts and meeting notes…

5 daysClassroom or online

49Upcoming dates

12Cities

£2,250Fees from

Course overview

Introduction

Administrative staff handle large volumes of personal information every day, including staff records, customer details, visitor logs, emails, contracts and meeting notes. A misdirected email, an unlocked cabinet or an over-shared spreadsheet can quickly turn into a serious data breach, with regulatory, financial and reputational consequences.

This Data Protection Essentials for Administrative Staff training course explains the principles of data protection in clear, practical terms and shows how they apply to everyday office work. Participants learn what personal data is, the lawful reasons for using it, how to keep it secure, how long to keep it and how to respond to requests and incidents.

The course draws on widely recognised data protection principles and good practice, helping participants build habits that protect individuals and their organisation.

Course Objectives

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

Explain the core principles of data protection and privacy
Recognise personal and sensitive data in everyday office work
Apply the idea of a lawful purpose to collecting and using data
Handle paper and electronic records securely
Share information safely by email, post and shared drives
Apply retention and secure disposal rules
Recognise and respond to individuals' requests about their data
Identify, report and help contain data breaches

Target Audience

This training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals, including:

Administrative officers and secretaries
Executive and personal assistants
Reception and front office staff
HR and payroll administrators
Office managers responsible for records
Customer service and records management staff
Any staff member who handles personal information

Training Methodology

The course uses plain-language explanations, everyday office scenarios and short quizzes. Participants analyse realistic examples of good and poor practice, review sample forms and emails, practise responding to information requests and work through a simulated data breach to agree the right actions.

Target Competencies

Personal data awareness
Secure records handling
Safe information sharing
Retention and disposal discipline
Handling individual data requests
Breach recognition and reporting

Course outline

1Day One: Principles of Data Protection

Why data protection matters to individuals and organisations
What counts as personal data and special category data
The core principles: fairness, purpose, minimisation and accuracy
Storage limitation, security and accountability explained
Roles of data controllers, processors and data protection officers
International and local data protection laws in overview
Quiz: spotting personal data in everyday office documents

2Day Two: Collecting and Using Personal Data Lawfully

Lawful reasons for processing personal data in plain terms
Consent, contracts and legitimate interests compared
Writing clear privacy notices on forms and websites
Collecting only the information that is genuinely needed
Keeping records accurate and up to date
Using personal data for new purposes safely
Exercise: reviewing a visitor registration form

3Day Three: Keeping Information Secure

Clear desk, locked storage and secure printing habits
Strong passwords, screen locking and device security
Recognising phishing emails and social engineering attempts
Safe use of shared drives, cloud folders and access rights
Sending emails and attachments to the correct recipients
Working securely from home and while travelling
Case study: how small lapses led to a serious breach

4Day Four: Retention, Disposal and Information Requests

Retention schedules and why records should not be kept forever
Secure shredding and deletion of paper and electronic records
Recognising a subject access request in any format
Handling requests for correction, deletion and objection
Verifying identity and meeting response deadlines
Disclosing information to third parties and the police
Exercise: responding to a subject access request

5Day Five: Managing Data Breaches and Building a Privacy Culture

What a personal data breach is and common causes
Immediate steps to contain and report a breach
Assessing risk to individuals and notification duties
Learning lessons and preventing repeat incidents
Privacy by design in new office processes and systems
Encouraging colleagues to follow good data protection habits
Simulation: responding to a misdirected email containing staff data

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Data Protection Essentials for Administrative Staff course?

The course runs over 5 days of classroom training, usually Monday to Friday.

When is the next Data Protection Essentials for Administrative Staff course?

The next public date is 7 - 11 Dec 2026 in Barcelona. There are 49 upcoming dates in total.

Where is this course held?

Upcoming sessions run in Barcelona, Frankfurt, London, Cape Town, Dubai, Geneva, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Munich, Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam.

Can I take Data Protection Essentials for Administrative Staff online?

Yes. Every date can also be joined live online in a virtual classroom with the trainer, for £1,280 per participant. Choose "Live online" in the dates table when you register.

How much does the course cost?

Fees start from £2,250 per delegate, depending on the city. Fees include tuition and course materials.

Do participants receive a certificate?

Yes. Delegates who complete the course receive a London Leadership Management Innovation certificate of completion.

Can this course be delivered in-house for our team?

Yes. LLMI can tailor and deliver this course privately for your organisation at your premises or in one of our training cities.

Course information last updated 14 November 2026.

Data Protection Essentials for Administrative Staff

Course overview

Introduction

Course Objectives

Target Audience

Training Methodology

Target Competencies

Course outline

Dates and fees

Frequently asked questions

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