DPO study plan
DPO · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Privacy and Data Protection
Define key privacy concepts (personal data, processing, controller, processor) from official IAPP glossary
Identify the seven GDPR principles and explain each in own words
Map the lawful bases for processing under GDPR Article 6
Create a one-page cheat sheet of privacy terminology
Your checkpoint
Completed privacy terminology cheat sheet with definitions and examples
Privacy and Data Protection
Outline data subject rights under GDPR (access, rectification, erasure, etc.)
Explain the controller-processor relationship and responsibilities
Summarize GDPR transfer mechanisms (SCCs, BCRs, adequacy decisions)
Draft a compliance checklist for handling data subject access requests
Your checkpoint
Data subject rights flowchart and transfer mechanism summary table
Privacy and Data Protection
Describe the role and requirements of a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)
List GDPR accountability and governance obligations (records of processing, DPO)
Compare GDPR with one other privacy law (e.g., CCPA/CPRA) on key requirements
Create a sample DPIA template with key sections
Your checkpoint
DPIA template and comparison chart of GDPR vs. CCPA/CPRA
Privacy and Data Protection
Review domain 1 notes and identify weak areas
Complete 30 practice questions on privacy and data protection
Explain breach notification requirements and timelines
Summarize enforcement actions and penalties under GDPR
Your checkpoint
Practice test score report with review notes on missed concepts
Governance, Risk, and Compliance
Define governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) frameworks and their interrelationships
Identify key components of an information security governance program
Explain risk assessment methodologies (qualitative vs. quantitative)
Draft a risk register with at least five sample risks
Your checkpoint
Risk register template with sample entries and risk scoring
Governance, Risk, and Compliance
Outline the elements of a compliance program (policies, training, monitoring, auditing)
Describe common security control frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST CSF)
Explain incident response phases and roles
Create a compliance calendar for annual privacy and security tasks
Your checkpoint
Compliance program outline and incident response phase diagram
Privacy and Data Protection & Governance, Risk, and Compliance
Integrate privacy and security governance concepts into a unified framework
Analyze a case study of a data breach and identify governance failures
Review third-party risk management and vendor due diligence processes
Develop a cross-domain checklist for privacy and security program integration
Your checkpoint
Case study analysis report and integrated checklist
Privacy and Data Protection & Governance, Risk, and Compliance
Take a full-length practice exam under timed conditions
Review all incorrect answers and update study notes
Revisit weak areas from both domains
Finalize a one-page summary sheet for each domain
Your checkpoint
Practice exam score with improvement plan and final summary sheets
Milestones
Week 4: Score at least 70% on a 30-question privacy domain practice test and complete all domain 1 study materials
Week 6: Complete all domain 2 study materials and score at least 70% on a 20-question governance practice quiz
Week 8: Score at least 80% on a full-length timed practice exam covering both domains