Introduction

In today's digitally driven economy, procurement and accounting professionals handle vast quantities of highly sensitive personal and financial data, making them critical custodians of an organization's most valuable assets. The rapid evolution of global data protection and privacy laws, such as GDPR and other regional regulations, places stringent requirements on how this information is collected, processed, stored, and shared. Non-compliance can result in severe financial penalties, reputational damage, and loss of customer trust. Therefore, understanding these complex legal frameworks and implementing robust technical and organizational measures to protect sensitive procurement and financial data is no longer optional; it is a fundamental imperative for maintaining business integrity and avoiding significant legal and operational risks. This intensive training course focuses on equipping professionals to meet this crucial demand.

This comprehensive training course is meticulously designed to empower procurement specialists, accountants, auditors, legal teams, and compliance officers with the theoretical understanding and practical tools necessary to ensure full data protection and privacy compliance in procurement and financial operations. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of key data privacy principles, learn to navigate complex regulatory landscapes including GDPR, and acquire actionable techniques to secure sensitive data throughout its lifecycle. The course will delve into topics such as data mapping, privacy impact assessments (PIAs), secure data handling, vendor data privacy due diligence, data breach response protocols, and the implementation of privacy-enhancing technologies. By mastering the principles and methodologies of Data Protection and Privacy Compliance in Procurement & Accounting, participants will be prepared to proactively safeguard sensitive information, mitigate compliance risks, and build a culture of privacy within their organizations.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Procurement Managers and Specialists
• Accountants and Financial Controllers
• Internal and External Auditors
• Compliance Officers
• Legal Professionals specializing in data privacy and contracts
• Risk Management Professionals
• IT Security and Cybersecurity Professionals (with a focus on data privacy)
• Data Protection Officers (DPOs) and Privacy Managers
• Vendor Managers and Contract Administrators
• Business Analysts involved in data processing

Course Objectives

• Understand the fundamental principles of data protection and privacy.
• Learn to interpret and apply key provisions of GDPR and other major data privacy laws.
• Acquire skills in identifying and classifying sensitive data within procurement and financial operations.
• Comprehend the importance of data mapping and data flow analysis for compliance.
• Develop the ability to conduct Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).
• Explore techniques for securing data throughout its lifecycle: collection, processing, storage, and disposal.
• Understand vendor and third-party data privacy due diligence requirements.
• Learn to incorporate data privacy clauses into procurement contracts and agreements.
• Gain knowledge of data breach notification requirements and response protocols.
• Identify best practices for implementing privacy by design and by default.
• Understand the role of internal controls and audits in data privacy compliance.
• Explore privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) relevant to procurement and finance.
• Enhance awareness of data subject rights (e.g., right to access, erasure) and how to respond.
• Improve collaboration between legal, IT, finance, and procurement teams on privacy matters.
• Prepare for regulatory audits and investigations related to data privacy.

Course Content

Module 1: Foundations of Data Protection and Privacy

• Defining personal data, sensitive personal data, data controllers, and data processors.
• Key data protection principles: lawfulness, fairness, transparency, purpose limitation, data minimization.
• Data accuracy, storage limitation, integrity, confidentiality, and accountability.
• The importance of data privacy in building trust and reputation.
• Overview of global data privacy landscape and evolving trends.

Module 2: Understanding the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

• Scope and applicability of GDPR: territorial reach, data subjects' rights.
• Key concepts in GDPR: lawful basis for processing, consent, legitimate interest.
• Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs): when and how to conduct them.
• Obligations of data controllers and data processors under GDPR.
• Penalties for non-compliance and enforcement actions.

Module 3: Other Major Data Privacy Laws and Frameworks

• Overview of relevant regional data privacy laws (e.g., CCPA, LGPD, POPIA).
• Industry-specific regulations (e.g., PCI DSS for payment data, HIPAA for health data).
• Cross-border data transfer mechanisms (e.g., Standard Contractual Clauses, Binding Corporate Rules).
• Data localization requirements and their impact on global operations.
• Future of data privacy legislation and emerging regulatory challenges.

Module 4: Data Mapping and Data Flow Analysis in Procurement

• Identifying all personal data collected and processed in procurement workflows.
• Mapping the flow of data from requisition to payment, including third parties.
• Understanding data sources, recipients, and processing activities.
• Tools and techniques for data inventory and data mapping.
• Importance of data mapping for compliance and risk management.

Module 5: Data Mapping and Data Flow Analysis in Accounting & Finance

• Identifying all personal and sensitive financial data (e.g., payroll, client accounts, tax records).
• Mapping data flows within financial systems, payment gateways, and auditing processes.
• Understanding where financial data is stored, transmitted, and accessed.
• Categorizing financial data based on sensitivity and regulatory requirements.
• Ensuring data flow documentation is accurate and up-to-date.

Module 6: Implementing Privacy by Design and by Default

• Integrating privacy considerations into the design of new systems and processes.
• Data minimization: collecting only necessary data for a specific purpose.
• Pseudonymization and anonymization techniques for sensitive data.
• Default privacy settings in systems and applications.
• Practical examples of privacy by design in procurement and accounting software.

Module 7: Secure Data Handling Techniques

• Data encryption for data at rest and in transit.
• Strong access controls and role-based access management (RBAC).
• Secure data storage solutions (on-premises vs. cloud).
• Secure data disposal methods and retention policies.
• Implementing Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions.

Module 8: Vendor and Third-Party Data Privacy Due Diligence

• Assessing vendor compliance with data protection laws.
• Developing vendor privacy questionnaires and security assessments.
• Reviewing vendor privacy policies and certifications.
• Managing third-party risks associated with data processing.
• Continuous monitoring of vendor data privacy posture.

Module 9: Data Privacy Clauses in Procurement Contracts

• Essential data processing agreements (DPAs) with suppliers.
• Defining data controller and data processor roles and responsibilities.
• Breach notification clauses and liability for data incidents.
• Audit rights and compliance verification clauses.
• Negotiating and enforcing privacy terms in supplier contracts.

Module 10: Data Subject Rights and Request Handling

• Understanding data subject rights: access, rectification, erasure (right to be forgotten).
• Right to restriction of processing, data portability, and objection.
• Procedures for receiving, verifying, and responding to data subject requests.
• Timelines and legal requirements for fulfilling requests.
• Automation tools for managing data subject access requests (DSARs).

Module 11: Data Breach Management and Incident Response

• Defining a personal data breach and its severity assessment.
• Legal requirements for data breach notification (e.g., 72-hour rule under GDPR).
• Developing a data breach response plan for procurement and finance.
• Roles and responsibilities during a data breach incident.
• Post-breach analysis and corrective actions.

Module 12: Internal Controls and Audit for Data Privacy Compliance

• Integrating data privacy into existing internal control frameworks.
• Developing privacy-specific controls for financial and procurement processes.
• The role of internal audit in assessing data privacy compliance.
• Preparing for external privacy audits and regulatory examinations.
• Continuous improvement of privacy controls and policies.

Module 13: Employee Training and Awareness for Data Privacy

• Importance of regular data privacy training for all employees.
• Tailoring training content for procurement and finance teams.
• Recognizing social engineering tactics and phishing attempts related to data privacy.
• Best practices for handling sensitive information in daily operations.
• Promoting a culture of privacy throughout the organization.

Module 14: Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs)

• Overview of PETs: secure multi-party computation (SMPC), homomorphic encryption.
• Differential privacy for data analytics.
• Tokenization and anonymization techniques for financial data.
• Consent management platforms and privacy dashboards.
• Future trends in PETs and their application in finance and procurement.

Module 15: Building a Comprehensive Data Privacy Program

• Developing a data privacy governance structure within the organization.
• Appointing a Data Protection Officer (DPO) or privacy lead.
• Creating comprehensive data protection policies and procedures.
• Regular review and update of the data privacy program.
• Practical exercise: Developing a data privacy compliance checklist for a specific scenario.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training