As part of Microsoft India’s continued efforts in building awareness around cloud technologies, data privacy and security subject areas, the company announced the availability of online courses on cloud computing, with a focus on data protection regulations, security and compliance. Launched in association with learning partner myLaw, the free-of-cost online course enables students, business and legal professionals, and overall legal and compliance communities to understand data protection, the basics of GDPR, security and best practices around cloud better.

Titled Cloud Computing: Data Protection Regulation, the first phase of the course covers questions that arise in the context of privacy and data protection, including the transfer of data across transnational cloud computing networks, data protection and data security.  This course will also cover how regulations such as the GDPR and Indian data security laws are seeking to address issues in these areas.

The second phase of the course, Cloud Computing: Data Protection Compliance, to be launched in September 2018, will provide the legal fraternity with tools and practical insights required to meet the heightened privacy and security standards set out under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Indian IT Act (2000) and other regulatory frameworks that are imperative to the modern data economy.

Keshav Dhakad, Director & Assistant General Counsel, Corporate, External & Legal Affairs (CELA), Microsoft India, said, “Microsoft has been at the forefront of building awareness around the benefits of cloud services and the importance of privacy & security. As India’s digital transformation accelerates, it is clear to us that equipping and empowering the right person with the right knowledge & skills is crucial to sustain the digital economy. We are excited to partner with myLaw to provide the legal and business fraternities with a platform that will help equip them with knowledge of cloud computing, data protection and key regulations, more so with the evolutionary changes in global laws on privacy through the GDPR and with India being at the cusp of a new privacy regime.”

Speaking of the partnership Nikhil Chandra, Founder & CEO of myLaw, said, “We are proud to partner with Microsoft as the next step in our vision to make professional learning available to all. As a platform focused on professional learning and skills, we want to provide students and professionals access to high quality learning on the most industry relevant areas of law and regulation. With heightened awareness about the privacy of personal information and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) coming into force recently, this short-duration free course, featuring easy-to-understand videos and application-based questions for self-assessment, will be invaluable for professionals across the board.”

Short and easily accessible through the website mylaw.in and the myLaw app, the course is focused on upskilling professionals on the go with a flexible time schedule in a mobile first, cloud first environment. Microsoft India and myLaw have co-curated the coursework for the program, which has a short run time of 2 -3 hours. The audio-visual course also provides additional downloadable supplementary content and reference materials for learners.

The platform will also feature the latest newsfeed and updates on Data Protection Regulation on a monthly basis.