🌑🗃️💻 Dark data is data that is unused but still might be stored somewhere in an organisation, usually kept in unstructured and unsecured repositories or storage.

While we are focusing on cyber security and cyber resilience in October, Ofqual is reminding schools and colleges of the importance of cyber security after a poll highlighted the risks associated with poor cyber hygiene.

We are often asked for advice on where to search for information and data when you receive an information request. The ICO has published a checklist with guidance.

Sadly, we are letting you know about another cyber attack on a group of schools in Blackpool in the second week of term.

📢 We would like to announce that Data Protection Education are sponsoring the data protection discussion forum with the Association of Network Managers in Education.

A high school in south London was closed for the first part of this term due to a ransomware attack.  Students were sent home advising parents that the school would be closed for three days while all staff devices were 'cleansed'.

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Another school has been hit by a cyber attack, this time in Canvey Island, Essex, who say the cyber attack happened during the summer holidays.

🛡️✅ Gone are the days when cyber security issues meant accidentally downloading a virus, it has grown to mean so much more, where data and identities are stolen, fraud is committed and businesses can be shut down from a cyber attack.  With that in mind we have created a cyber security best practice area to help guide and support your data protection compliance.

The data protection officer is mentioned many times in the DfE Digital Standards for Schools and Colleges as someone that should either be informed or consulted with.  As part of that consultation process, we would like to announce our new DfE Digital Standards for Schools and Colleges Tracker.

We are launching a new best practice area which has all the policies, documents and posters in one place.  You can find this page in our main best practice area:

We've put all the specific school and trust related data protection guides, documents and queries into one area to make it easier for you.