Just last month, Future Crime Research Foundation’s Certified Cyber Crisis Management Professional (CCMP) course, developed in collaboration with CERT-In, set a national benchmark for training excellence. Attended by over 500 senior officials and industry professionals from India’s civil services, defence, cybersecurity, and regulatory sectors, CCMP introduced hands-on simulations and executive crisis playbooks for digital emergencies.
Now, with DPDPA enforcement transforming the data governance landscape, FCRF builds on that momentum with CDPO, a course as urgent as it is timely.
“DPDPA is not just a compliance requirement — it is a strategic shift. CDPO is our way of preparing professionals to lead that shift with clarity and competence,” said Prof. Triveni Singh, Chief Mentor of FCRF.
DPDPA: The Law That Changes Everything
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), passed in 2023 and activated in phases across 2024–25, redefines how personal data must be collected, processed, shared, and erased.
It mandates lawful consent, purpose limitation, user rights like access and erasure, and cross-border transfer restrictions — with hefty penalties for non-compliance. It also requires certain entities to appoint Data Protection Officers (DPOs) and maintain Records of Processing Activities (RoPA), among other governance tasks.
Inside the CDPO Program: 16 Modules of Cross-Functional Privacy Training
The CDPO course is structured into five practical tracks, delivered over 4 weeks. It begins with Foundations of Data Protection, covering the evolution of privacy as a right, global laws like GDPR and CCPA, and a deep dive into the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) — its principles, scope, lawful processing, and fiduciary obligations.
The second track, Governance & The DPO’s Role, explores how to build a data privacy governance framework, craft policies and procedures, and perform the duties of a Data Protection Officer under both DPDPA and GDPR — including advisory, oversight, and communication responsibilities.
In Operational Compliance & Data Management, learners gain hands-on skills in data mapping and discovery, maintaining Records of Processing Activities (RoPA), setting retention schedules, and implementing secure archival and disposal methods — critical components of demonstrating accountability.
The fourth track, Consent, Rights & Transparency, dives into managing lawful user consent, deploying Consent Management Platforms (CMPs), handling children’s data and cookies compliantly, and responding to Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) — including erasure, correction, and access.
Finally, Risk, Breach & Vendor Oversight equips participants to conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), assess cross-border data transfers, prepare for breach response and notification duties, and manage privacy risks linked to vendors and third parties — including contract clauses and audits.
Launch Details & Enrollment Process
- Start Date: September 6, 2025
- Schedule: Live sessions every Saturday & Sunday, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Duration: 4 Weeks
- Modules: 16 (1 hour each)
- Mode: Live interactive sessions + recordings available for all sessions
- Platform: FCRF Academy LMS (Mobile App launching soon)
The course is open to both individual professionals and institutional teams. Participants who join in groups are eligible for special group discounts, and a consolidated invoice can be issued to organisations, PSUs, or departments for simplified payment and enrollment.
Upon registration, all participants will be added to the official CDPO WhatsApp group to receive updates, session links, resources, and peer interaction. To register, click here to visit the website. For group enrollments and institutional access, organisations can write to research@futurecrime.org.
Privacy Isn’t Optional Anymore
As organisations scramble to meet DPDPA compliance timelines, the CDPO program by FCRF offers a robust and credible path to upskilling. Whether you’re a government advisor, compliance officer, legal expert, or technology architect, the responsibility of safeguarding personal data is no longer optional — it’s strategic.
By equipping India’s workforce with the tools to understand, implement, and lead privacy programs, FCRF’s CDPO course stands not just as a learning opportunity — but as a cornerstone of India’s privacy-first future.