Data Protection Officer Programme: free online course with certificate

The Data Protection Officer Programme is a free online course from AITraining2U for people who run, or help run, a personal data protection programme under Malaysia's Personal Data Protection Act. You learn by walking through short 3D workplace scenarios with a guide character, watching animations that show how each requirement works, and answering a quiz at the end of each lesson.

The 10 core lessons cover what a DPO does and who must appoint one, the PDPA and its 2024 amendments, the seven data protection principles in practice, notices, consent and sensitive data, data mapping and records, privacy by design and DPIAs, processors, contracts and cross-border transfers, security, retention and disposal, access and correction requests, and complaints and the Commissioner. The DPO pathway adds breach notification and a tabletop drill, employee data, CCTV and monitoring, marketing, cookies, analytics and AI, audits and board reporting, and a capstone on your first 90 days as DPO.

Who this course is for

  • Newly appointed Data Protection Officers and their deputies
  • Compliance, legal, risk, HR and IT staff who handle personal data
  • SME owners and managers who need to comply with the PDPA
  • Anyone preparing to take on data protection responsibilities

What you will learn

① Start here

  • The Data Protection Officer Role

⚖️ Law & Principles

The PDPA, its amendments and the seven principles.

  • The Law: The PDPA and the 2024 Amendments, The Seven Principles in Practice, Notices, Consent and Sensitive Data

🧱 Building the Programme

Map data, assess risk, manage vendors and secure records.

  • Programme Foundations: Data Mapping and Records, Privacy by Design and DPIAs, Processors, Contracts and Transfers, Security, Retention and Disposal

📨 Rights & Requests

Answer data subjects and work with the Commissioner.

  • Requests & Complaints: Access, Correction and Other Rights, Complaints and the Commissioner

🚨 Breaches & Incidents

Notify on time and rehearse the response.

  • Breach Response (optional): Breach Notification, Breach Tabletop Drill

🎯 Special Areas

Employees, CCTV, marketing and analytics.

  • Workplace & Marketing (optional): Employee Data, CCTV and Monitoring, Marketing, Cookies, Analytics and AI

📊 Running the Programme

Culture, audits, board reporting and your first 90 days.

  • Governance & Capstone (optional): Culture, Training, Audits and Board Reporting, Capstone: Your First 90 Days as DPO

📚 Go Deeper

Optional related lessons and sector examples.

  • Related Lessons (optional): Personal Data & PDPA, Data Classification & Handling, Cloud & File Sharing, Ransomware & Cyber Incident Response, HR Records & Confidentiality in Practice, Data Protection for AI
  • Sector Examples (optional): The PDP Commissioner, Telco Data Breaches

How the course works

  • 24 interactive 3D lessons with a guide character at every stop
  • 15 short "How it works" animations, and 1 hands-on workshops
  • A quiz at the end of each lesson; pass with 80% or more
  • Two certificates: Data Protection Essentials (10 lessons) and Data Protection Officer (16 lessons)
  • Free, self-paced, in your browser

Frequently asked questions

Is the DPO course free?
Yes. The whole course is free, with no account or payment. Your progress is saved in your browser; you only enter your name, for your certificate.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes, there are two: Data Protection Essentials (10 lessons) and Data Protection Officer (16 lessons). Pass each lesson's quiz with at least 80% and print or save your certificate as a PDF.
Does it cover the 2024 PDPA amendments?
Yes. The course covers the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 and its 2024 amendments, including the Data Protection Officer role, breach notification and data portability, alongside the seven data protection principles.
Is this a legal qualification?
No. It is practical training to help you run a data protection programme, not legal advice or an accredited certification. Always check the Personal Data Protection Commissioner’s current guidelines for your organisation.
What device do I need?
A modern web browser on a laptop, tablet or phone. Nothing to install.
Can my company train its staff with AITraining2U?
Yes. AITraining2U runs instructor-led AI, security and governance courses for organisations across Malaysia, and they can be claimed under HRDC. See the course list or contact us.

Train your team

AITraining2U's instructor-led courses (HRDC claimable) train whole teams. Talk to us about a session for your organisation.

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