Data Protection Officer Programme

Professional ProgrammeData Protection Officer

Build practical PDPA confidence for the data-driven workplace.

Organisations today handle personal data across almost every function - from HR and customer service to finance, marketing, IT and operations. The Data Protection Officer Programme equips participants with practical knowledge and hands-on skills to confidently perform DPO duties in compliance with the Malaysian Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (PDPA).

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Programme Key Facts

  • UNIMY & Coursera

    Awarded By

  • 2 Days

    Duration

  • BAC Flagship Campus

    Location

  • Hybrid

    Study Mode

  • In Progress

    Intakes

  • RM3,500

    Course Fees

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Future Careers

Turn data protection knowledge into compliance and governance value.

As personal data becomes central to business operations, organisations need professionals who can protect information, manage privacy risks and guide teams through regulatory expectations.

Career Tracks: Privacy, compliance, governance, risk management, information security, legal advisory and operations leadership.

Possible Career Directions

  • Data Protection Officer / Privacy Officer

  • Compliance Officer

  • Legal Advisor / Legal Executive

  • IT Security or Information Security Manager

  • Risk Manager

  • HR Manager handling employee data

  • Operations Manager handling customer data

  • Department Head responsible for personal data governance

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Why This Programme Matters

The Reality

Personal data protection is a critical business responsibility. Organisations must understand what qualifies as personal data, how it should be handled, when risks arise and how to respond to breaches or data subject requests.

Professionals who understand DPO responsibilities can support compliance, reduce risk and build trust with customers, employees, regulators and stakeholders.

The Education

  • PDPA fundamentals, personal data classification and the 7 Data Protection Principles
  • Data User and Data Processor roles in real workflows
  • Cross-border transfer obligations, PDPA vs GDPR and global expectations
  • DPO responsibilities, competency building and data inventory mapping
  • Privacy risk assessments, vendor due diligence, safeguards and DPIA
  • Data breach response, breach notification and DSAR handling
  • AI tools for documentation, risk analysis and compliance workflows
  • PDPA action planning and compliance roadmap development

The Data Protection Advantage

Translate PDPA duties into practical organisational responsibilities, build data protection tools and respond more confidently to privacy risks.

Professionals building practical PDPA and data protection skills

Course Modules & Assessment

A practical 2-day DPO pathway for professionals and organisations.

  • Module 1: Kick-off, Expectations & Challenges — Connect through real data-protection scenarios, align course goals with organisational needs and prioritise key PDPA pain points.
  • Module 2: Mastering the Malaysian PDPA (Act 709) — Classify personal data, apply the 7 Data Protection Principles, distinguish Data User and Data Processor roles, assess cross-border transfers and compare PDPA with GDPR expectations.
  • Module 3: Becoming an Effective Data Protection Officer — Analyse DPO responsibilities, design a competency roadmap and construct a Data Inventory framework based on internal data flows.
  • Module 4: Identifying & Mitigating Data Protection Risks — Practise privacy risk assessments, vendor due diligence, safeguards, DPIA simulation, policy development and internal training planning.
  • Module 5: Managing Data Breaches & Data Subject Requests — Interpret breach notification requirements, develop a breach response workflow and practise responding to Data Subject Access Requests.
  • Module 6: Supercharging the DPO with AI Tools — Use AI tools safely for documentation and compliance workflows while evaluating ethical and governance considerations.
  • Module 7: From Learning to Action — Consolidate key takeaways, develop and present a PDPA Action Plan and Compliance Roadmap, and complete a knowledge check.
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The Data Protection Learning Experience

Build workplace-ready privacy governance skills.

Move beyond legal theory and understand how data protection responsibilities appear in day-to-day business workflows.

How Learners Build Skills

  • Start with Real Challenges

    Identify key PDPA pain points through practical organisational scenarios.

  • Master the Malaysian PDPA

    Classify personal data, apply the seven principles and distinguish Data User and Data Processor roles.

  • Build DPO Capability

    Translate DPO duties into responsibilities, competency plans and data inventory maps.

  • Manage Privacy Risks

    Use risk assessments, vendor checks, safeguards and DPIA to strengthen compliance.

  • Respond to Breaches and Requests

    Practise breach workflows, notification requirements and DSAR handling.

  • Use AI Responsibly

    Apply AI to documentation, risk analysis and compliance while considering ethics and governance.

  • Turn Learning into Action

    Present a PDPA Action Plan and Compliance Roadmap.

4

Industry Partners

Connect with the legal profession from day one.

Your legal education at BAC goes beyond the classroom. Through our strong connections with leading law firms, professional bodies and the Inns of Court Malaysia, you gain valuable exposure to the people, institutions and networks shaping the legal profession.

These partnerships help you better understand legal practice, explore different career pathways, and develop the professional confidence to take your next step.

Industry Partners

  • Thomas Philip Advocates & Solicitors
  • Lavania & Balan Chambers
  • Messrs. Jamie Wong
  • Alvin John & Partners
  • Shearn Delamore & Co.
  • Richard Wee Chambers
  • Daljit Singh Partnership
  • Chooi & Company

Earn Microcredentials from the World's Best Universities & Global Tech Giants

  • IBM Applied AI Professional Certificate
  • Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate
  • AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials
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Career Outcomes

Data protection knowledge that supports compliance, trust and responsible business operations.

Build practical PDPA understanding and transferable skills for compliance, privacy governance, risk management, data protection planning, breach response and cross-functional leadership.

Progression Pathways

Strengthen current responsibilities, support PDPA compliance projects, improve organisational privacy practices or move into data protection, governance, legal, risk, IT security or operations-focused roles.

Roles in Focus

  • Data Protection Officer. Support personal data governance, coordinate compliance activity and guide teams on PDPA responsibilities.
  • Compliance Officer. Assess policies, monitor obligations and reduce compliance risks related to personal data.
  • Legal Advisor. Advise on PDPA duties, processing risks, contracts, breach response and regulatory expectations.
  • IT Security Manager. Align technical safeguards, access controls and security practices with privacy requirements.
  • Risk or Operations Manager. Identify operational data risks, improve workflows and support safer data handling.
6

Learner Experience

Interactive, practical and workplace-ready PDPA training.

Combine legal understanding with real scenarios, tools and activities that can be applied immediately.

  • Hybrid Learning Access

    Learn through hybrid delivery at BAC Flagship Campus, suitable for working professionals and organisation teams.

  • Interactive Training Style

    Take part in trainer-led sessions, case studies, real-life scenarios, group activities, quizzes and role plays.

  • Practical Tools and Templates

    Work with data inventory, vendor risk, DPIA, breach response and compliance planning materials.

  • Experienced Trainer

    Learn from Thilagavathy Rama Loo, senior legal practitioner and Head of Privacy at Low & Partners.

  • Training Support

    Receive consultant guidance from HRD Academy before beginning the programme.

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Who Should Attend

Professionals responsible for handling, protecting, processing or advising on personal data.

Recommended Learners

  • Data Protection Officers
  • Compliance Officers
  • Legal Advisors
  • IT Security Managers
  • Risk Managers
  • HR Managers
  • Operations Managers
  • Department Heads handling personal data

Target Industries

  • Financial Services & Insurance
  • Healthcare & Hospitals
  • Education & Training
  • Retail & E-Commerce
  • Telecommunications
  • Government & Public Sector
  • Technology & IT Services
  • Hospitality & Tourism

Learner Profile Note

Especially useful for working adults, compliance teams, managers, legal teams, HR departments, IT security teams and organisations strengthening PDPA readiness.

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Fees & Programme Details

  • Awarded by: UNIMY & Coursera
  • Duration: 2 Days
  • Location: BAC Flagship Campus
  • Study Mode: Hybrid
  • Intakes: In Progress
  • Course Fees: RM3,500

Trainer

Thilagavathy Rama Loo is a senior legal practitioner with over 15 years of experience in civil litigation, corporate advisory and data protection compliance. She is Head of Privacy at Low & Partners, holds an LL.M. (Malaya), LL.B. (Hons) (London) and CLP, and is an Accredited HRD Corp Trainer.

Campus & Contact

BAC Flagship Campus, VSQ @ PJ City Center, Jalan Utara, Section 14, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Phone: +603 7947 2200
Email: sherin@hrdacademy.asia

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Speak to a Training Consultant

Ready to perform DPO responsibilities with confidence?

Strengthen PDPA understanding, respond to privacy risks and support responsible data governance across your organisation.

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