Organisations frequently collaborate with external parties such as accountants, suppliers, government bodies and partners. Information sharing is often essential, but it also introduces risks — especially when sensitive data is involved.
In the e-learning Information Sharing with Other Organisations, employees learn what sensitive data is and why it requires special protection. This includes personal data such as names, addresses and contact details, as well as financial reports and confidential business information. If this data ends up in the wrong hands, it can result in identity theft, fraud, reputational damage or loss of competitive advantage.
The course highlights that safe information sharing starts with a simple but critical question:
Who needs this information and why?
Participants learn to always verify whether the requester is authorised and whether the request is legitimate — even when it appears to come from a trusted organisation.
Two story-driven videos clearly illustrate the impact of secure versus careless behaviour.
In the business scenario, Eva receives a request from her accountant for financial data. Instead of responding immediately, she verifies the request and uses a secure platform with additional authentication to share the information safely.
In the private scenario, Eva receives a message from her local government requesting personal data. She sends it via an unsecured email without verification. Months later, she realises her data may have been misused, causing stress and concern.
The course explains which security measures are essential when sharing information, including:
- using encrypted communication channels
- secure platforms instead of regular email
- strong and unique passwords
- additional security factors such as two-factor authentication
- restricting access to authorised individuals only
Incident handling is also addressed in detail. Participants learn what to do if sensitive data is shared incorrectly or stolen. Immediate reporting to management and IT, gathering relevant details and acting quickly are key to limiting damage.
The course concludes with a clear message: secure information sharing is not just an IT responsibility. Every employee plays a vital role by staying alert, following guidelines and asking questions when in doubt.
What will participants learn?
After completing this course, participants will:
- understand what sensitive data is
- recognise risks related to information sharing
- identify unsafe methods of sharing data
- know how to share information securely
- understand how to respond to data incidents
- handle external information requests responsibly
Who is this course for?
This course is suitable for:
- employees sharing information with external parties
- organisations aiming to prevent data breaches
- teams working with suppliers, partners or public authorities
- employees without technical or legal expertise
Why this course is relevant right now
Many data breaches result from unsafe communication and human error. Training employees in secure information sharing significantly reduces privacy and security risks.