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There are 3 modules in this course
Vast amounts of personal information are processed in the cloud. But who is legally responsible for such ‘personal data’ in cloud environments? What duties do cloud providers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have? And what rights can you, as an individual, exercise under data protection law? If you’d like to find out, then this course is for you!
First, we’ll look at how the European Union’s ‘General Data Protection Regulation’ (‘GDPR’) regulates the processing of personal data in cloud services. You’ll learn to identify controllers and processors, describe their roles and responsibilities, and understand how cloud customers and providers can comply in practice.
Second, we’ll look at international transfers of personal data. We’ll explain how the GDPR can apply to cloud providers and their customers anywhere in the world, as well as how restrictions on international transfers apply to cloud services.
Third, we’ll look at how the Network and Information Security (‘NIS’) Directive regulates the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure. You’ll learn to identify cloud providers’ duties to notify security breaches and to keep their services secure, and how to apply those duties to concrete case studies.
In short, this course covers how the GDPR and NIS Directive apply to cloud services and what cloud providers and their customers should do to comply.
This week, you'll learn how data protection laws regulate the processing of personal data in cloud services. We will focus, in particular, on the rules applying to cloud service providers and their customers as 'processors' and 'controllers' under the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We will explore the principles that must be followed and consider the legal grounds for processing personal data in the cloud, as well as how individuals might exercise their rights and the potential consequences for cloud providers of failing to comply with their obligations. By the end of this week, you'll be able to identify what is regulated as personal data and analyse what cloud providers and their customers must do to ensure compliance with the GDPR.
Introduction to data protection and cybersecurity•7 minutes
What is personal data?•6 minutes
Who are the main GDPR actors?•6 minutes
What are the data protection principles?•6 minutes
What is lawful processing?•4 minutes
What do we mean by 'joint' controllers?•6 minutes
What is the relationship between controllers and processors?•6 minutes
What are the security obligations?•6 minutes
What are individual rights?•5 minutes
What are the GDPR provisions on fines and compensation?•6 minutes
12 readings•Total 213 minutes
Introducing Christopher and Dimitra•5 minutes
Glossary of Key Terms•5 minutes
The definition of personal data•20 minutes
The main actors under the GDPR•20 minutes
Data Protection Principles•15 minutes
Lawful processing•20 minutes
Joint controllers•10 minutes
Relationship between controllers and processors•10 minutes
Security and personal data breach•45 minutes
Individual rights•45 minutes
Fines and compensation•15 minutes
A message from your instructors•3 minutes
3 assignments•Total 80 minutes
Case Studies•40 minutes
Controllers, processors, and lawful grounds for processing•20 minutes
Controller-processor relationship and individual rights•20 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 30 minutes
Discussing the GDPR main actors•10 minutes
Discussing data protection principles•10 minutes
Discussing individual rights•10 minutes
International Data Transfers and Cloud Services
Module 2•5 hours to complete
Module details
This week, you'll learn how the GDPR applies to international transfers of data in cloud computing. First, we will examine the broad territorial scope of the GDPR in the context of cloud computing. Then we will explore how GDPR may restrict international transfers of cloud data; the legal mechanisms that may be relied on to justify regulated transfers; and possible exceptions to the transfer restriction. By the end of this week, you'll be able to explain the international reach of GDPR and how its data transfer rules apply to cloud providers and their customers.
Introduction to International Data Transfers•6 minutes
The Establishment Test•6 minutes
Targeting and Monitoring•6 minutes
Third country transfer restriction•6 minutes
What is a transfer?•6 minutes
Transfer options•4 minutes
Adequacy decisions•6 minutes
Appropriate Safeguards•7 minutes
Derogations•4 minutes
Data Transfers Conclusion•5 minutes
8 readings•Total 125 minutes
Glossary of key terms•15 minutes
Duty to appoint a representative•5 minutes
Other consequences of applying the GDPR•10 minutes
Lawful basis for the transfer of personal data•15 minutes
The EU-US Data Privacy Framework•20 minutes
Binding Corporate Rules •20 minutes
Derogations from the third country data transfer restriction•30 minutes
Data Location Services•10 minutes
5 assignments•Total 85 minutes
Case Studies•40 minutes
Establishment in the EU•10 minutes
Targeting and monitoring the behaviour of EU data subjects•10 minutes
Third country transfer restriction•15 minutes
Third country data transfer instruments•10 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 20 minutes
Views on GDPR's third country transfer restriction•20 minutes
Cybersecurity, Cloud, and Critical Infrastructure
Module 3•5 hours to complete
Module details
This week, you'll learn about the regulation of cloud services as critical infrastructure under the Network and Information Security ('NIS') Directive. First, we'll look which cloud services need to comply with this Directive. Then, we'll review the obligations to keep cloud services secure and to report security incidents to a regulator. By the end of this week, you'll be able to describe how a cloud provider can comply with the NIS Directive, as well as the possible penalties for breaking the rules.
Queen Mary University of London is a leading research-intensive university with a difference – one that opens the doors of opportunity to anyone with the potential to succeed. Ranked 117 in the world, the University has over 28000 students and 4400 members of staff. We are a truly global university: over 160 nationalities are represented on our 5 campuses in London, and we also have a presence in Malta, Paris, Athens, Singapore and China. The reach of our education is extended still further through our online provision.
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What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.