Let’s face it – it’s not safe out there nowadays. If there’s one thing that some of the recent cyber attacks on retail giants M&S and the Co-op have taught us, it’s that there’s no way to predict when or how cyber criminals will choose their next target, or who that target might be. And if there’s another thing they’ve taught us, it’s that there’s clearly still an awareness issue across the board. And as threats to data, systems and reputations become more complex, training your staff to simply “tick the box” is no longer enough. Whether you’re tackling the challenges of staff understanding what constitutes a data breach or how to recognise an individual rights request, how to spot a phishing attempt, or how to use generative AI responsibly, bespoke training is the most effective way to build a resilient, engaged and informed workforce.
What’s the problem with generic Data Protection elearning?
Off-the-shelf courses are often too generic. They fail to reflect the realities of your sector, systems, or risks. Staff quickly disengage, and the training is forgotten as soon as the browser is closed.
From personal experience in previous jobs, whenever generic mandatory training was put in front of us, it would quickly devolve into the team seeing how fast they could cycle through the slides, speed through the videos, and fluke their way through the quiz questions. And this was never because they didn’t care about doing their jobs properly. It was because the training was:
- Too generic and often not relevant to our roles
- Unengaging and dull
- Too drawn out and complicated
These days, it’s funny how often we’ll get friends messaging us when their annual GDPR training is due, asking for help with the questions after they’ve just skipped through all the necessary information. It’s not being treated with the attention and importance it demands, and it’s certainly not sticking.
How does bespoke training engage staff more effectively?
If staff feel that the training being given to them is just a bog standard, broad, tick-box exercise of partially helpful learning, then it won’t click for them. They have to feel like it genuinely applies to them, and has been made specifically to guide them. In contrast to generic mandatory training programs, bespoke data protection, information security, cybersecurity and AI training is tailored to your organisation’s needs. It’s more relevant, engaging, and impactful.
Why is bespoke training important?
It’s relevant: The training includes your organisation’s policies, systems, and industry-specific risks. It makes more sense to staff than vague, barely relevant, “let’s-just-get-this-over-with” courses.
It builds confidence: Employees feel more prepared to make decisions, flag concerns, and uphold compliance without feeling held back by self-doubt or uncertainty.
It evolves with you: As your tech stack or regulatory obligations change, your training can adapt, instead of becoming increasingly old-fashioned or obsolete as time goes on.
It delivers results: It’s not just about awareness. It’s about real behaviour change and measurable impact beyond completely a compulsory task to check a box.
94% of employees say they would stay longer at a company that invests in their learning.
Companies with strong learning cultures see 24% higher profit margins.
89% of workers would feel more encouraged if training was tailored to their specific role.
(Sources: Build Empire, Cypher Learning)
A real-world example: tailored training at “Digital Health and Care Wales”
Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) is the national information and technology organisation for the Welsh healthcare system, and therefore handles a vast amount of sensitive data. In 2024, DHCW sought to upskill its Information Governance team in managing AI-related risks, particularly concerning data protection and compliance.
Because of the organisation’s unique manner of operating, a standard, off-the-shelf training course wouldn’t suffice. Instead, they were going to need something more tailored to them.
Therefore, we designed a bespoke training package for DHCW so that they could:
- Understand AI principles and their intersection with data protection legislation.
- Assess and mitigate risks associated with AI technologies in healthcare.
- Build confidence in evaluating and challenging AI-driven business proposals.
- Equip themselves with practical tools to handle real-world AI scenarios.
Read the full case study on how Digital Health and Care Wales gained new knowledge, skills, and expertise through our bespoke training here.
How DPAS can help you through bespoke training
At DPAS, we deliver bespoke training for organisations of all sizes, across sectors like healthcare, education, finance and the charity sector. Our services include:
- Tailored live training sessions (online or onsite) on data protection, AI ethics, cybersecurity, and information security.
- Custom eLearning modules – bite-sized, branded, and built around your internal processes.
- Training needs analysis – so you get the right training for the right roles.
- Gamified training platforms – with progress tracking, leaderboards and certificates.
Whether you need to train board members on the risk of non compliance or deliver engaging data protection refreshers to all staff, we’ll create something that works for you.
Bespoke training builds confident, capable teams who understand their responsibilities, and how to put them into practice. Get in touch with us today to explore our bespoke training packages, including eLearning, workshops, and ongoing support.
