Privacy Law and Data Protection from Coursera

What does it take to comply with privacy laws?

In this course, we’ll look at the practical aspects of navigating the complex landscape of privacy requirements. Better understanding privacy laws and data protection will enable you to protect your organization and the constituents that depend on your organization to safeguard their personal information. First, we will examine the historical context that drove the creation of laws, best practices, and other standards for protecting personal information. We will also consider where in the U.S. privacy laws exist and which sectors remain unregulated. Next, we will focus on the federal health privacy law, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) – and what it takes to comply with it. How do you know the scope of the requirements? And once you know HIPAA applies, how do you actually put measures in place to ensure compliance?

We’ll explore the notion that one cannot have privacy without strong security and examine various models that promote the security of personal information. We’ll look closely at breach notification laws – one of the most significant drivers of change in organizations – and discuss strategies for the improvement of data protection overall. Lastly, we will look at international law, state law, the unique and important role of the Federal Trade Commission in protecting privacy. Most importantly, we get practical – we will discuss real-world, practical approaches to how compliance professionals can navigate the complex landscape of privacy requirements to best protect their organizations.

What's inside

Syllabus

Privacy: Legal Issues, Landscape & Chronology

We begin our study of privacy and data protection with a brief look at the development of privacy law in the U.S. Then we examine the Fair Information Principles that provide the foundation of modern privacy and data protection programs.

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Develops an understanding of the historical context that drove the creation of laws for privacy

Taught by instructors with expertise in privacy protection and healthcare

Offers practical approaches for compliance with privacy laws

Requires prior knowledge of privacy concepts and laws

Examines international and state privacy laws along with the role of the Federal Trade Commission

Reviews summary

Strong overview of privacy law & data protection

According to learners, this course offers a solid and practical overview of key privacy laws and data protection concepts. Many students found it highly relevant to their professional roles, particularly praising the coverage of HIPAA and GDPR. A recurring theme is the excellence of the instructor, Kirk Nahra, who is described as knowledgeable, engaging, and clear in explaining complex legal topics. While providing a strong foundation, some reviewers noted it serves best as an introduction and may not offer sufficient depth for experienced legal professionals or those seeking exhaustive coverage beyond the primary regulations discussed.

Best suited as an introduction, may lack depth for experts.

"Good for an introduction, but perhaps not detailed enough for seasoned legal professionals."

"It's a great starting point but doesn't go into extreme technical or legal depth."

"If you're completely new, this is perfect. If you have some background, it might feel a bit basic at times."

"Served as a good refresher and overview, but didn't introduce many new concepts for me."

"I was hoping for a bit more depth on California privacy law, but the focus is mainly federal and GDPR."

Strong focus on HIPAA and GDPR.

"Good overview of HIPAA and GDPR, which were my main areas of interest."

"I learned a lot about HIPAA and the practical aspects of compliance."

"The focus on GDPR was particularly useful given the international context."

"The HIPAA module was very detailed and helpful."

"Covered the essential regulations like HIPAA, FTC, and GDPR effectively."

Content is useful for professionals working in the field.

"Very practical approach to privacy law and data protection."

"The course is practical and relevant to current compliance challenges."

"Extremely helpful for understanding legal concepts relevant to my work."

"Provided me with practical insights I can apply in my professional role."

"Excellent practical advice throughout the course."

Provides a comprehensive introduction to privacy law.

"Great comprehensive course, provided a solid base for my privacy knowledge."

"The course provided a solid foundation to understand U.S. privacy law and GDPR."

"Great course providing an overview of various privacy topics."

"This course gives an excellent overview of the foundations of privacy law..."

"It provides a good foundation and overview of Privacy law and data protection principles."

Kirk Nahra is highly praised for his clarity and expertise.

"Kirk Nahra was an excellent professor, explaining complex legal topics clearly and engagingly."

"The Professor, Kirk Nahra, is amazing. Very clear, knowledgeable and makes learning about this interesting and easy."

"Kirk Nahra is an excellent speaker and made this topic very approachable."

"Professor Nahra was excellent! Very knowledgeable, clear and articulate."

"I really enjoyed listening to Professor Nahra. He has a great grasp of the material and explains it well."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Privacy Law and Data Protection with these activities:

Review the HIPAA Privacy Rule

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Reviewing the HIPAA Privacy Rule will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the HIPAA privacy requirements.

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Read the HIPAA Privacy Rule
Take notes on the key provisions of the HIPAA Privacy Rule
Identify any areas where you need additional clarification

Review General Privacy Laws

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Reviewing general privacy laws will lay a strong foundation for your learning in this course.

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Read the Fair Information Principles
Read the HIPAA Privacy Rule
Read the General Data Protection Regulation

Follow a Tutorial on Privacy Impact Assessments

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Following a tutorial on privacy impact assessments will give you a practical understanding of how to conduct a privacy impact assessment.

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Find a tutorial on privacy impact assessments
Follow the steps in the tutorial
Complete the privacy impact assessment

Five other activities

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Attend a HIPAA Compliance Workshop

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Attending a HIPAA compliance workshop will provide you with an opportunity to learn from experts and ask questions about HIPAA compliance.

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Research HIPAA compliance workshops
Register for a HIPAA compliance workshop
Attend the HIPAA compliance workshop

Discuss Privacy Issues in the Healthcare Industry

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Discussing privacy issues with your peers will provide you with different perspectives on the challenges and solutions.

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Find a peer group or online forum
Identify a topic for discussion
Share your thoughts and ideas
Listen to the thoughts and ideas of others

Complete HIPAA Mock Compliance Audit

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Completing a mock compliance audit will provide you with hands-on practice identifying and addressing HIPAA compliance issues.

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Gather the necessary documentation
Review the documentation for compliance
Identify any areas of non-compliance
Develop a plan to address the areas of non-compliance

Participate in a HIPAA Privacy Challenge

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Participating in a HIPAA privacy challenge will provide you with an opportunity to test your knowledge and skills in a real-world setting.

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Find a HIPAA privacy challenge
Register for the HIPAA privacy challenge
Complete the HIPAA privacy challenge

Develop a Privacy Policy

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Creating a privacy policy will provide you with an opportunity to apply your knowledge of privacy laws and data protection principles.

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Determine the purpose and scope of the privacy policy
Identify the personal information that will be collected
Describe how the personal information will be used and disclosed
Establish procedures for protecting the personal information
Review the privacy policy with legal counsel

Career center

Learners who complete Privacy Law and Data Protection will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Protection Officer

Data Protection Officers are responsible for overseeing an organization's data protection program. They may develop and implement data protection policies, conduct privacy impact assessments, and train employees on data protection. This course provides a comprehensive overview of data protection laws and regulations, and would be particularly useful for those who wish to work as a Data Protection Officer.

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Healthcare Compliance Manager

Healthcare Compliance Managers are responsible for ensuring that their organizations comply with all applicable healthcare laws and regulations, including HIPAA. They may conduct risk assessments, implement compliance programs, and oversee investigations. This course provides a detailed overview of HIPAA, and would be particularly useful for those who wish to work in healthcare compliance.

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Privacy Counsel

Privacy Counsel are responsible for ensuring that an organization complies with all privacy laws and regulations, including HIPAA, GDPR, and CCPA. They advise clients on privacy issues, draft and review privacy policies, and conduct privacy audits. This course provides a comprehensive overview of privacy laws and regulations, and would be particularly useful for those who wish to specialize in privacy law.

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Privacy Auditor

Privacy Auditors are responsible for assessing an organization's privacy practices and ensuring that they comply with all applicable laws and regulations. They may conduct privacy audits, review privacy policies, and provide training on privacy. This course provides a comprehensive overview of privacy laws and regulations, and would be particularly useful for those who wish to work as a Privacy Auditor.

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Data Governance Specialist

Data Governance Specialists are responsible for developing and implementing data governance policies and procedures. They may also oversee the organization's data governance program. This course provides a foundation in data protection and privacy, and would be particularly useful for those who wish to work as a Data Governance Specialist.

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Information Security Manager

Information Security Managers are responsible for overseeing an organization's information security program. They may develop and implement security policies, conduct risk assessments, and train employees on security. This course provides a foundation in data protection and security, and would be particularly useful for those who wish to work as an Information Security Manager.

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Cybersecurity Consultant

Cybersecurity Consultants help organizations protect their information systems from security breaches. They may conduct risk assessments, implement security measures, and provide training on cybersecurity. This course provides a foundation in data protection and security, and would be particularly useful for those who wish to work as a Cybersecurity Consultant.

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Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts are responsible for protecting an organization's information systems from security breaches. They may conduct risk assessments, implement security measures, and monitor for security threats. This course provides a foundation in data protection and security, and would be particularly useful for those who wish to work in information security.

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IT Auditor

IT Auditors are responsible for assessing an organization's IT systems and practices to ensure that they are secure and compliant with all applicable laws and regulations. This course provides a foundation in data protection and security, and would be particularly useful for those who wish to work as an IT Auditor.

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Blockchain Developer

Blockchain Developers develop and implement blockchain applications. Blockchain is a secure and transparent way to store and share data, and is becoming increasingly popular for a variety of purposes, including data protection and privacy. This course provides a foundation in data protection and security, and would be particularly useful for those who wish to work as a Blockchain Developer.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. They may develop data models, analyze data, and provide insights to decision-makers. This course provides a foundation in data protection and privacy, and would be particularly useful for those who wish to work as a Data Scientist.

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Compliance Analyst

Compliance Analysts are responsible for ensuring that their organizations comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including privacy laws. They may conduct risk assessments, implement compliance programs, and oversee audits. This course provides a broad overview of privacy laws and regulations, and would be particularly useful for those who wish to work in compliance.

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Compliance Officer

Compliance Officers are responsible for ensuring that their organizations comply with all applicable laws and regulations. They may conduct risk assessments, implement compliance programs, and oversee audits. This course provides a broad overview of privacy laws and regulations, and would be particularly useful for those who wish to work as a Compliance Officer.

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Risk Management Consultant

Risk Management Consultants help organizations identify, assess, and mitigate risks. They may conduct risk assessments, develop risk management plans, and provide training on risk management. This course provides a foundation in privacy laws and regulations, and would be particularly useful for those who wish to work as a Risk Management Consultant.

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Forensic Accountant

Forensic Accountants investigate financial crimes, such as fraud and money laundering. They may also provide expert testimony in court. This course provides a foundation in data protection and privacy, and would be particularly useful for those who wish to work as a Forensic Accountant.

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