Content Area 4

Legislation and regulatory requirements

Understand legal frameworks, regulatory requirements, and professional standards that govern digital technology and software development practices.

5
Level
2
Subtopics
15-25 hours
Study Time

Legal and Professional Compliance

This professional-level content area covers essential legal knowledge for digital practitioners. Understanding compliance requirements is crucial for professional practice and business operations.

Professional
Learning Level
2
Subtopics
15-25
Study Hours
Pearson
Qualification

Legal Framework and Standards

4.1 Legislation

Available

Health and Safety at Work and display screen equipment duties, data protection principles, Computer Misuse Act, equality law including protected characteristics and discrimination types, intellectual property registered and unregistered designs and patents, and relevant international law.

Key Learning Outcomes:

  • Health and Safety at Work Act and display screen equipment regulations
  • Data protection principles and GDPR compliance requirements
  • Computer Misuse Act: unauthorized access, modification, and denial of service
  • Equality law: protected characteristics and discrimination types
  • Intellectual property: copyright, patents, trademarks, and design rights
  • Software licensing and open source legal considerations
  • International law and cross-border compliance requirements
  • Digital rights and consumer protection legislation
  • Employment law in digital contexts and remote working
  • Contract law for software development and digital services

4.2 Guidelines

Available

Codes of conduct organisational, professional BCS IAP CIISec, and government. Industry standards ISO, WCAG, W3C, IETF, BS, IEEE, PCI SSC. Acceptable use policies purposes and typical content. Whistleblowing and professional behaviour expectations.

Key Learning Outcomes:

  • Organisational codes of conduct and professional standards
  • Professional body guidelines: BCS, IAP, CIISec standards
  • Government guidelines and regulatory frameworks
  • Industry standards: ISO, WCAG, W3C, IETF, BS, IEEE, PCI SSC
  • Web accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.1/2.2) and compliance
  • Payment card industry (PCI SSC) security standards
  • Acceptable use policies: purpose, content, and enforcement
  • Whistleblowing procedures and protection frameworks
  • Professional behaviour expectations and ethical decision-making
  • Quality management and process improvement standards

Key Legal and Regulatory Areas

Data Protection

GDPR, data subject rights, and privacy by design

Accessibility

WCAG standards and inclusive design requirements

Intellectual Property

Copyright, patents, and software licensing

Computer Misuse

Cybercrime prevention and legal compliance

Learning Resources

Legal Guides
Comprehensive legislation and regulation guides
Case Studies
Real-world legal scenarios and outcomes
Professional Standards
BCS, IAP, and CIISec guidelines
Compliance Checklists
Practical compliance assessment tools

Assessment Information

Legislation and regulatory knowledge is assessed through scenario-based questions, compliance analysis, and professional judgement scenarios.

Legal Scenarios
Apply legal knowledge to practical business situations
Compliance Analysis
Evaluate systems and processes against regulatory requirements
Professional Ethics
Demonstrate understanding of professional conduct and standards

Master Legal and Professional Requirements

Begin with core legislation and progress to professional guidelines and industry standards. This knowledge is essential for responsible professional practice in digital industries.