A "confidential" document with redacted sections is half-buried in the sand on a beach at sunset. The ocean and several seagulls are in the background. Overlayed text reads "SAR SUMMER SURVIVAL".

Subject Access Requests (SARs) - SAR Summer Survival

We often see a rise in the number of Subject Access Requests received by schools at the end of term or at the end of the academic year.  This article, therefore, covers guidance and support around subject access requests, how to recognise them and how to respond.

Read more …

 A diverse group of smiling children, framed within a large, brightly colored, rainbow-hued shield held by two hands at the bottom. The shield appears to shimmer with light. There are seven children visible within the shield, all looking directly at the viewer with happy expressions. The background is a soft, light blue.

Safeguarding Smiles & Social Media!

As the academic year draws to a close, schools eagerly prepare to celebrate the achievements and fond memories of their students with end of year events. Sports days, graduation ceremonies, academic achievements, leavers events - these occasions are a highlight for pupils, staff and parents and sharing on social  media often seems like the obvious way to share that information and celebration.

Read more …

 A vibrant, illustrative graphic announces "SOCIAL MEDIA DAY!" in large, bold letters, with "SOCIAL" in white and "MEDIA DAY!" in orange. Below this, "June 30th" is displayed in an orange rectangular box. The central focus is a large, purple smartphone, angled slightly to the right, with a bright screen populated by various 3D social media icons floating around and seemingly interacting with it.  These icons include:  A yellow star  A pink speech bubble  A golden bell  A red heart  A blue folder icon with a mountain and sun image  A blue paper airplane  A yellow envelope with a letter  A red location pin  A blue magnifying glass  A red play button triangle  Two blue speech bubbles, one with three dots and another with a smiley face  There are also several expressive emoji faces floating around the phone:  A large, yellow smiling face with closed eyes on the phone screen.  A red heart-eyes emoji.  A slightly mischievous, winking emoji with a tongue out.  A happy emoji with closed eyes and rosy cheeks.  At the bottom left, a circular logo states "DATA PROTECTION OFFICER BY" around an emblem featuring a stylized person figure protecting data, with "DATA PROTECTION EDUCATION" written beneath it and a URL "HTTPS://DATAPROTECTION.EDUCATION". The background is a gradient of blue, with darker shades at the bottom and lighter at the top, along with some abstract cloud-like shapes.

Social Media Day 2025

📲👍It's Social Media day today - now an integral part of our daily lives both personally and at work. We take a look at some privacy considerations and acceptable use.

Read more …

Image of a microphone with a title "Episode 3 records management"

Podcast Episode 3: Records Management and Retention

This podcast episode delves into the often-overlooked but crucial topic of records management within the school environment. It breaks down the lifecycle of a record from creation to disposal, highlighting the legal framework schools operate within, including the Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR, and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The episode also explores the consequences of non-compliance, the importance of a robust Records Management Policy, and the specific considerations for handl

Read more …

Podcast Episode 2: Data (Use and Access) Act - what it means for schools

Podcast Episode 2: Data (Use and Access) Act - what it means for schools

Join us for our latest podcast episode breaking down the key changes introduced by the UK's new Data (Use and Access) Act (DUAA), explaining its phased rollout and objectives.

It clarifies that the Act amends, rather than replaces, existing data protection laws like the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. The discussion covers the shift from the ICO to the Information Commission, the introduction of 'Recognised Legitimate Interests' as a lawful basis for processing data, refined

Read more …

The Data (Use and Access) Act: What it Means for Schools and MATs

The Data (Use and Access) Act: What it Means for Schools and MATs

When will the Data Use and Access Bill become law?

The UK's data governance is undergoing change with the Data (Use and Access) Act (DUAA) receiving Royal Ascent and passing onto the statue books on 19th June 2025. Though it is becoming law, additional guidance is yet to emerge on the detail - some of the Act's provisions need a commencement order to take effect, with the next one expected on October 1, 2025. However, some parts of the Act will come into force imme

Read more …

Save the date 26.02.2026 Data Protection Education MAT conference. Orange and white text on a black background. Two blue padlocks with check marks

DPE MAT Conference 2026 - Announced!

📢📢 Our MAT Conference is coming in 2026...... Save the date!


More information can be found about our speakers and the venue, Woodland Grange, Leamington Spa here 👉

DPE MAT Conference 2026

Speakers from the ICO, DfE and the Chief Commissioner - Data and Marketing Commission.

And of course a DPE goody bag! 🛍️

Read more …

Podcast Episode 1 - data protection training for school staff

Podcast Episode 1 - data protection training for school staff

Join us for our first DPE podcast! Data Protection Training for School Staff

This podcast episode provides an overview of the Data Protection Education's 2024 training update, focusing on the legal framework and practical guidance for data protection in the workplace. The discussion covers key definitions like UK GDPR, Data Controller, Data Processor, Personal Data, and Data Protection Officer. It also highlights the importance of data protection in preventing breaches and fostering a strong

Read more …

Image of a robot against a blackboard.  White background. Orange text: New. Blue text: DfE AI Guidance with video training

New DfE AI Guidance

🤖 📢  The DfE has issued some training and guidance about the use of AI in Education.  The guidance aims to help educators safely and effectively use AI to enhance the classroom experience and reduce teacher workload.

Read more …

photo of hands holding a shining padlock.  School's almost out for Summer in orange text on blue back ground. Cyber and data protection checklist. What's your plan for when you're not there in black text. Data Protection office by Data protection education logo

Holiday Cheer or Cyber Fear? : Essential Pre-holiday Checks

😎☀️ Did you know there is an increase in cyber attacks on a long weekend, half term and end of term, so a period of heightened cyber risk.  This article gives some advice about what you need to have in place - it's particularly important that you are able to monitor your network during the long Summer break.

Read more …

photo of a hand holding a phone with whatsapp on the screen. Beige background and black text: What's up with WhatsApp? Emma Martins, Chief Commissioner of the Data & Marketing Commission and Data Protection Education have teamed together to give you a comprehensive overview of the risks, recent cases and guidelines about using WhatsApp.

Preschool Employment tribunal for the use of WhatsApp

📳What's Up with WhatsApp? WhatsApp is a regular theme in relation to SARs, FOI's, data breaches and general use as tickets into our Knowledge Bank platform.  Emma Martins, Chief Commissioner of the Data and Marketing Commission has worked with us to produce some guidance following the recent employment tribunal that was published in relation to a preschool.

Read more …

Photo of a masked man at lots of computer screens.  Blue text on a white background:

Social engineering + impersonation = Fraud ≡ cyber deception

Fraud is deception used to gain something valuable (money, goods, services or information) from someone else's dishonesty. We are seeing a lot of blended cyber attacks in the news currently where social engineering might then be combined with an impersonation followed by a ransomware attack, in order to take data and/or money.

Read more …

Photo of a shadow behind some computer code. Blue background and white text: Education & business comparisons. Navy background and blue text: Gov.uk Cyber security breaches survey 2025. Data Protection Education logo

Data Breaches 2025 Report Highlights

The GOV.UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 is out and reveals that 43% of UK businesses and 30% of charities experienced a cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months.  We review and highlight some key data protection points.

Read more …

AI generated photo of the back of a  computer screen with hands on a keyboard. Blue padlock with white text saying: Not everyone should have access.  White background and black text: The key to protecting sensitive data : least privilege. Recent dismissal case in Nottinghamshire

Not everyone needs access: The Key to Protecting Sensitive Data

🚫🔒 Sensitive data requires a higher level of security under UK GDPR because of its potential to cause significant harm to individuals if it is lost, stolen or misused.  A recent case of a teacher losing their job after accessing a safeguarding report and transcribing it to her personal computer highlights the both the importance for least privilege access and continual review of access.

Read more …

Photo of a computer network and lots of spiders on a white background.  Black text: The Scattered Spider Web. Data Protection Education DPO badge

Getting caught in the Scattered Spider web

🛡️🕷️ The Scattered Spider is a fast-growing group of cyber attackers currently on the attack and possibly attributed to the recent attack on M & S - they don't just break in and grab one thing, they like to cause as much chaos as possible and then ask for a ransom.

Read more …

Photo of a cat with leopard markings laying down on a white background underneath black text: Password Day, we suggest not using your pet's name for passwords! Data Protection Education DPO badge

World Password Day

🔒 It's World Password Day - a reminder to check how secure your passwords are and where you store that information.  There's a lot of password help and advice out there which can be confusing.  We highlight the basic things you need to be thinking about.

Read more …

Photo of blocks and notepads with the words, honesty, integrity, values and ethics in red ink. Above the photo in white on black: National Honesty Day: How transparent is your organisation?

National Honesty Day: Transparency

⚖️🛡️ National Honesty Day, although one day to highlight the importance of honesty, it reminds us of how importance truth is in the realms of data protection and cyber security and how it should be part of an organisation's fundamental beliefs and ethos.

Read more …

Photo of glasses, the letters 'FOIA' in red, Freedom of information black text on white background.  BBC News Reporter request, DAta Protection Education DPO badge

FOI Request - BBC News

This article shares advice we have given to several customers who have received an FOI request from the BBC News about conducting research into the challenges of handling harmful sexual behaviour in schools.

Read more …

  1. September Inset Day Online Training!
  2. Social Media and Marketing Guidelines and Training
  3. New Governor Resources
  4. Does stress lead to more data breaches?
  5. World Backup Day
  6. Are teachers using AI? 83% say its a time-saver
  7. DfE Digital Standards - narrowing the digital divide
  8. Arbor AI - On By Default
  9. DfE Guidance: Choosing a new MIS
  10. Sharing photos on World Book Day: Privacy considerations
  11. HCRG Care Group data breach
  12. Apple removes its highest level data security tool from UK customers
  13. The Importance of AI literacy and training staff
  14. How to verify visitors the right way
  15. Time's Ticking: Windows 10 support ends in October 2025!
  16. Short Guide to AI Video
  17. Safer Internet Day, Cyber Security & Data Protection
  18. The Cyber Resilience Championship
  19. The Multiple Dimensions of Supplier Due Diligence
  20. New Data Protection Fees
  21. School shares sensitive pupil information as part of an FOI response
  22. AI (Artificial Intelligence) Best Practice Area & Policy
  23. Blacon High School Cyber Attack
  24. WhatsApp and FOI's: ICO Warnings
  25. New AI Guidance from the DfE
  26. The role of Passkeys in Cyber Resilience and Cyber Security
  27. What the proposed Government legislative proposal around cyber crime means
  28. DPE Webinar Schedule
  29. ICO report on AI tools in recruitment
  30. DfE update to record keeping and management
  31. Update to data sharing for school immunisation programmes
  32. Early Years Settings and Cyber Security
  33. SLT Digital Lead Profile
  34. Ransomware-Resistant Backups
  35. The role of governors in cyber security and data protection
  36. DfE Digital Standards Webinars 2025
  37. Navigating Privacy at the End of Term , Special Occasions and End of Year
  38. Effectively communicating during a cyber incident
  39. Contracts Register
  40. South East Technological University has experienced a cyber incident
  41. Safeguarding Identity in Microsoft 365: Protecting the UK Education Sector Against Cyber Threats
  42. DfE Digital Standards Autumn Update
  43. The importance of knowing how to access your CCTV footage!
  44. Cyber Attack on a Special School
  45. Stealing children's data
  46. What is dark data? (and why does it matter?)
  47. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 31. On the road to cyber essentials
  48. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 24. Backups
  49. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 30. Support
  50. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 29. Admin controls
  51. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 28. Phishing
  52. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 27. Passwords
  53. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 26. Physical Security
  54. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 25. Server Security
  55. Ofqual highlights the value of cyber security training in schools
  56. Searching for data when you receive a Subject Access Request
  57. Fylde Coast Academy Trust Cyber Attack This Week
  58. Calling all IT leads in schools and mult academy trusts!
  59. Ransomware cyber attack on a school in Bromley
  60. Join Our Social Media Family!
  61. School hit by Cyber Attack
  62. New Academic Year Kick-Off!
  63. New e-learning for 2024
  64. Cyber Security Best Practice Area
  65. DfE Digital Standards for Schools and Colleges Tracker
  66. New Policies, Documents, Letters and Posters page
  67. Schools and Trusts Best Practice Area
  68. The DPE Retention Schedule
  69. Making the Rounds Update (now includes reporting)
  70. ESFA Cyber Essentials Requirement for Colleges from 2024/2025
  71. ICO Reprimands a School
  72. How does the recent global IT outage affect me?
  73. King's speech introduces new bills in relation to cyber security, smart data and digital information
  74. Navigating Privacy at the End of Term , Special Occasions and End of Year
  75. Out of date technology
  76. Data Retention and the Pupil File
  77. Have you assigned your SLT Digital Lead yet?
  78. What's a Cyber Incident and what should we do?
  79. Getting Started with AI (Artificial Intelligence)
  80. Cyber attack on a school during half term
  81. Free short cyber training for staff
  82. UPDATE: The Upcoming Election and The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill
  83. Update to the DfE Digital Cyber Security Standards for Schools and Colleges (May 2024)
  84. The rise of cyber attacks in schools are causing pupils to miss classes
  85. ICO: Learning from the mistakes of others report
  86. Children's mental health data leaked after a cyber attack
  87. Cyber attack on a Trust; the aftermath
  88. School Focus: The Vale Federation | Aylesbury
  89. DfE Dealing with Subject Access Requests (SARs) Guidance
  90. Update to the Guidance on Information Sharing from the DfE
  91. FOI Requests generated by Artificial Intelligence
  92. Social Media Best Practice Area
  93. Lettings Best Practice Area
  94. Appropriate filtering and monitoring definitions
  95. MFA Bombing - What is it?
  96. Protecting your Social Media Accounts
  97. Why we recommend using checklists
  98. Product Focus on Checklists : Initial Trust Plan
  99. Product Focus on Checklists : End of Term Checklist
  100. Product Focus on Checklists : Information and Cyber Security
  101. Product Focus on Checklists : Social Media
  102. Cyber Incident Review: The Benefits
  103. Product Focus on Checklists : Lettings
  104. Product Focus on Checklists : Record of Processing
  105. Milk Island: The secret location that allows children to view restricted content on Google Maps
  106. Why Data Should Stay Put: Benefits of Keeping Data in Its Original System
  107. Product Focus on Checklists : Data Retention and Destruction
  108. Product Focus on Checklists : Data Migration
  109. Product Focus on Checklists : Biometrics
  110. Product Focus on Checklists : Supplier Due Diligence
  111. Free Cyber help, advice and training with the Cyber Resilience Centres
  112. The Perils of Paper: The Printing Vulnerability
  113. Product Focus on Checklists : FOI
  114. Product Focus on Checklists : Governors and Data
  115. Product Focus on Checklists : DPIA
  116. Product Focus on Checklists : Site Moves
  117. Product Focus on Checklists : Data Breaches
  118. Product Focus on Checklists : Subject Access Requests
  119. Cyber attack on a University
  120. Product Focus on Checklists : Bring your own device
  121. Product Focus on Checklists : Working out of school/offsite
  122. Cyber Attack on a School
  123. Product Focus on Checklists : Redaction
  124. Major cyber-criminal gang Lockbit brought down by UK Law Enforcement
  125. Why Due Diligence is Important: Fake apps
  126. Product Focus on Checklists : CCTV
  127. Product Focus on Checklists : Clear desk
  128. Product Focus on Checklists : Commitment to compliance
  129. Product Focus on Checklists : Photos and video
  130. Product Focus on Checklists : Passwords
  131. Product Focus on Checklists : Information Classification
  132. Safer Internet Day 2024
  133. Kent Councils Data Breach
  134. Free cyber training for staff
  135. DfE Digital Standards Update
  136. The Mother of all Breaches
  137. ClassCharts Possible Data Breach
  138. Where is your data stored?
  139. IAPP looks at AI privacy risks
  140. If you suspect a financial scam .....
  141. Guardians of Privacy: 16. Social Media Checklist
  142. Guardians of Privacy: 15. Navigating Social Media in Educational Settings Summary
  143. Guardians of Privacy: 14. Social Media and Cyber Bullying
  144. Guardians of Privacy: 13. Social Media, Copyright and Intellectual Property
  145. Guardians of Privacy: 12. Social Media and Going Viral
  146. Guardians of Privacy: 11. Staff Social Media Accounts
  147. Guardians of Privacy: 10. Social Media and Cookies
  148. Guardians of Privacy: 9. Social Media and Morality
  149. New Resources for Schools from the ICO
  150. Guardians of Privacy: 8. Social Media Policies
  151. Guardians of Privacy: 7. Social Media Data Retention
  152. Guardians of Privacy: 6. Posting Safely
  153. Guardians of Privacy: 5. Social Media and Consent
  154. Guardians of Privacy: 4. Social Media Access Control
  155. Guardians of Privacy: 3. Social Media Channels
  156. Guardians of Privacy: 2. Law and Regulations
  157. Guardians of Privacy: 1. Social media, privacy and children
  158. Latest ICO Reprimand. Mr. S. Claus, Chief Executive Officer, North Pole Enterprises
  159. Phishing attacks targeting schools - alert from City of London Police
  160. The Data Protection And Digital Information Bill (DPADI)
  161. The ICO reprimands a Multi Academy Trust
  162. KCSIE: Filtering, Monitoring and Privacy
  163. Guidance for the use of school email and applying email retention in schools
  164. CISA and UK NCSC Announce Joint Guidelines for Secure AI System Development
  165. Data Protection Tips for Early Years Settings
  166. Children's Privacy around the world is a puzzle
  167. Trust Initial Plan Checklist Update
  168. Update on Advisory for Rhysida Ransomware
  169. Records Management Best Practice Update
  170. Governors and Data Best Practice Area Update
  171. The Crime in a Cyber Attack and a Data Breach
  172. What do I need to redact?
  173. NCSC Annual Review is published for 2023
  174. Learning from Data Breaches
  175. Windows 11 security ineffective against attacks on old devices
  176. Trust Initial Plan for Data Protection Compliance (for Multi Academy Trusts)
  177. International Counter Ransomware Initiative 2023 Joint Statement
  178. Google for Education Resources: Helping IT Admins meet DfE digital and technology standards
  179. Resistant Cloud Backups
  180. Top Ten Cyber Security Misconfigurations
  181. Lettings Best Practice and Guidance
  182. ICO Reprimand: company suffered a ransomware attack
  183. The UK Online Safety Bill becomes an Act (Law)
  184. Considerations when migrating to a new MIS
  185. The importance of software updates (PaperCut vulnerability and Rhysida ransomware)
  186. Public bodies and sensitive data
  187. Adding offline bulk training using the Certificates function
  188. Ransomware, extortion and the cyber crime ecosystem
  189. Get a DPE Badge for your website!
  190. ICO: 10 Step guide to sharing information to safeguard children
  191. Schools under Cyber Attack: September 2023
  192. Cyber Resource: The Cyber Resilience Centre Group
  193. Email and Security: ICO recent guidance
  194. Help after a Cyber Attack/Incident
  195. Social Media Policy
  196. Data Protection and Cyber Security (Inset Day) Training Ideas
  197. Changes to Microsoft Free Licensing for Schools
  198. What to do in the event of a Cyber Attack
  199. Cyber Crime: AI Generated Phishing Attacks
  200. Handling Freedom of Information Requests the right way
  201. Cyber Attack: Exam Boards
  202. VICE SOCIETY - Ransomware attacks on schools
  203. Using Tags if you are a group of organisations in the DPE Knowledge Bank
  204. Where's Harry the Hacker?
  205. Be Cyber Aware: USB Sticks
  206. Cyber Insurance in the Public Sector
  207. Types of Cyber Attacks: DDos Attack (Microsoft DDoS Attack in June)
  208. Cyber Attack: Manchester University
  209. Cyber Attack: Leytonstone School
  210. The ICO Reprimands a school
  211. Be Cyber Aware: Firewalls
  212. Be Cyber Aware: Cyber attacks and transparency. A no blame culture
  213. Cyber Attack: Dorchester School
  214. Knowledge Bank Role Types: Admin, Staff and Trustee
  215. Types of Cyber Attacks: Password Attacks
  216. Be Cyber Aware: Why regular software updates are important
  217. Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2023
  218. Cyber Attack: Wiltshire School
  219. Keeping your IT systems safe and secure
  220. Types of Cyber Attacks: DDoS Attacks
  221. Types of Cyber Attacks: Phishing
  222. Types of Cyber Attacks: The Insider Threat
  223. Why your data is profitable to cyber criminals
  224. Using WhatsApp in Schools
  225. The Changes to Data Protection in the UK
  226. Knowledge Bank Updates
  227. Types of malware and how they are linked to data protection
  228. Striking Data Breach
  229. Windows Server 2012 & 2012 R2 Retirement
  230. How to contact us for support, subject access requests, data breaches and FOI's
  231. YouTube breached child protection laws
  232. How a school fought back after a cyberattack
  233. Types of Cyber Attacks - Credential Stuffing
  234. January Cyber update - How Can Schools Help Prevent Cyber Attacks?
  235. End of Windows 8.1 Support
  236. Assigning courses to staff using to-dos
  237. How the Record of Processing Can Help You
  238. Information Security Basics: What are VPN's?
  239. What does a Data Protection Officer Do?
  240. Are you ready for a Data Breach?
  241. Blog: Best Practice on the Retention of Child Protection Information
  242. Carrying out Supplier Due Diligence
  243. Email and retention periods
  244. How Long Should You Keep Personal Data For?
  245. The Education sector now at highest risk of cyber attacks
  246. How to Assess your Data Security
  247. Schools Blocked from Using Facial Recognition Systems
  248. Sharing this year’s Nativity play online
  249. The Children's Code
  250. B&H FoI: Racist/religious incidents/bullying
  251. Cyber Attacks
  252. Protocol for Setting Up and Delivery of Online Teaching and Learning
  253. Class Dojo International Data Sharing
  254. Model Publication Scheme: Amendments, Improvements and Updates
  255. Child friendly privacy notices
  256. Transparency
  257. Parents and students covertly recording conversations
  258. SAR? ER? FOI?
  259. Secure file transfer of files using Royal Mail
  260. Emergency contacts and consent
  261. Key elements of a successful DPIA
  262. FOI Publication Schemes
  263. SHARE: Avoid disinformation online
  264. Best Practice for Managing Photos and Video
  265. New Drip Feeds: Recognise and Respond to Subject Access Request
  266. When to contact the Data Protection Officer?
  267. National child measurement programme
  268. Make sure DPE is your registered DPO with the ICO
  269. Compliance Manager released
  270. Headteacher fined for breach of data protection legislation
  271. Emails – good practice and minimising the risk of a data breach

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