CPL Online, a leading learning and development software company, has entered into a new partnership with Bytes Software Services. The agreement has seen the development of a newly launched e-learning course on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which aims to help businesses prepare, understand and comply with new legislation set out by the European Union.

With the new legislation coming into force on 25th May 2018, the new course – GDPR Awareness– will ensure that organisations adhere to the ICO mandatory training requirements and strict set of rules concerning privacy and data security. The course has been written by GDPR compliance specialists and focuses on the logic behind data protection legislation, the history of GDPR, key definitions of core principles, and the rights of data subjects.

James McDonnell, learning solutions specialist at Bytes Software Services, said: “We have leveraged our experience in providing extensive consultancy on the new GDPR regulations and worked with CPL to produce this targeted e-learning initiative. It’s important that staff gain an awareness of GDPR because it’s one of the key components of achieving compliance and preventing financially catastrophic data breaches within your organisation.”

Daniel Davies, chief executive of CPL Training Group, said: “The introduction of GDPR poses many challenges for any business which handles personal data, affecting more or less every sector in the UK. With this in mind, it’s essential that organisations, both small and large, take the necessary steps to cope with the changes ahead. To help with the transition, we have partnered with Bytes Software Services, who are specialists in the field of data security, to launch this new e-learning course. It’s been designed as an accessible initiative to bring employers and their employees up to speed on the new regulations. We look forward to the opportunities ahead in our new working relationship with Bytes.”

GDPR will affect any individual or organisation which deals with personal data and is significantly more rigorous than the current Data Protection Act 1998. Notable changes include the introduction of accountability, the need for consent, fines associated with noncompliance and new rights granted to individuals regarding the use of their personal information. Despite being an EU law, the UK government has confirmed that GDPR will be enshrined into domestic legislation once the Brexit process has been completed (although minor revisions are expected).