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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Ludo pieces on a board on white background. Blue text: New Governor resources, Governors: data protection & cyber security course, governance frameworks: data protection, cyber governance code of practice. Data Protection Education logo and DPO services badge

New Governor Resources

📢🏛️ We've published some new resources for governing bodies about data protection and cyber security.  Governors can be added to our Knowledge Bank platform as part of your subscription with us at no extra charge.

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Image of circles with people in and finger pushing one on a world map in blue.  World backup Day 2025 in Blue. Data Protection Education logo

World Backup Day

🔄☁️ Having a robust backup is being prepared against data loss and data theft.  March 31st is World Backup day to remind everyone of the importance of having a robust and accessible backup.

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Transparent image of a teacher at the front of a class teaching children.  Robot holding AI in blue letters. Text in blue and black: 83% teacher say AI is a time saver. Data Protection Education logo

Are teachers using AI? 83% say its a time-saver

🤖🕒 Most meetings we are having with schools at the moment feature conversations and questions around the use of AI by staff in  organisations.  It's clear the landscape is rapidly evolving and education may not be moving as fast, however, it does help to be prepared.

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Robot hand pointing to opt out check box. Arbor AI in orange text, On by default in white text. Data Protection Education logo. Blue background

Arbor AI - On By Default

💻 ⚠️ Arbor recently announced that it was including some AI as part of it's default configuration - some customers have raised questions about this with us.

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  1. DfE Guidance: Choosing a new MIS
  2. Sharing photos on World Book Day: Privacy considerations
  3. HCRG Care Group data breach
  4. DPE MAT Conference 2026 - Save the Date!
  5. Apple removes its highest level data security tool from UK customers
  6. The Importance of AI literacy and training staff
  7. How to verify visitors the right way
  8. Time's Ticking: Windows 10 support ends in October 2025!
  9. Short Guide to AI Video
  10. Safer Internet Day, Cyber Security & Data Protection
  11. The Cyber Resilience Championship
  12. The Multiple Dimensions of Supplier Due Diligence
  13. New Data Protection Fees
  14. School shares sensitive pupil information as part of an FOI response
  15. AI (Artificial Intelligence) Best Practice Area & Policy
  16. Blacon High School Cyber Attack
  17. WhatsApp and FOI's: ICO Warnings
  18. New AI Guidance from the DfE
  19. The role of Passkeys in Cyber Resilience and Cyber Security
  20. What the proposed Government legislative proposal around cyber crime means
  21. DPE Webinar Schedule
  22. ICO report on AI tools in recruitment
  23. DfE update to record keeping and management
  24. Update to data sharing for school immunisation programmes
  25. Early Years Settings and Cyber Security
  26. SLT Digital Lead Profile
  27. Ransomware-Resistant Backups
  28. The role of governors in cyber security and data protection
  29. DfE Digital Standards Webinars 2025
  30. Navigating Privacy at the End of Term , Special Occasions and End of Year
  31. Effectively communicating during a cyber incident
  32. Contracts Register
  33. South East Technological University has experienced a cyber incident
  34. Safeguarding Identity in Microsoft 365: Protecting the UK Education Sector Against Cyber Threats
  35. DfE Digital Standards Autumn Update
  36. The importance of knowing how to access your CCTV footage!
  37. Cyber Attack on a Special School
  38. Stealing children's data
  39. What is dark data? (and why does it matter?)
  40. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 31. On the road to cyber essentials
  41. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 24. Backups
  42. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 30. Support
  43. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 29. Admin controls
  44. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 28. Phishing
  45. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 27. Passwords
  46. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 26. Physical Security
  47. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 25. Server Security
  48. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 23. Filtering and Monitoring
  49. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 22. Hardware: Printers
  50. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 21. Hardware: Asset Control
  51. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 20. Hardware: Safe disposal
  52. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 19. Anti-virus/anti-malware
  53. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 18. Regular Updates
  54. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 17. Access Control (Users)
  55. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 16. Access Control (Wi-Fi/Network access)
  56. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 15. Access Control (working from home/off site)
  57. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 14. Access Control (MFA)
  58. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 13. Awareness
  59. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 12. Training
  60. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 11. Policies and Procedures
  61. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 10. Assess where you are with cyber security
  62. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 9. A guide for education providers
  63. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 8. How can your organisation prevent Ransomware attacks?
  64. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 7. What does a Ransomware attack on a school look like?
  65. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 6. Cyber Action Plan
  66. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 5. Responsibilities
  67. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 4. What to do in a cyber attack
  68. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 3. Data Security
  69. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 2. Privacy Protection
  70. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month: 1. Why is cyber security important?
  71. Ofqual highlights the value of cyber security training in schools
  72. Searching for data when you receive a Subject Access Request
  73. Fylde Coast Academy Trust Cyber Attack This Week
  74. Calling all IT leads in schools and mult academy trusts!
  75. Ransomware cyber attack on a school in Bromley
  76. Join Our Social Media Family!
  77. School hit by Cyber Attack
  78. New Academic Year Kick-Off!
  79. New e-learning for 2024
  80. Cyber Security Best Practice Area
  81. DfE Digital Standards for Schools and Colleges Tracker
  82. New Policies, Documents, Letters and Posters page
  83. Schools and Trusts Best Practice Area
  84. The DPE Retention Schedule
  85. Making the Rounds Update (now includes reporting)
  86. ESFA Cyber Essentials Requirement for Colleges from 2024/2025
  87. ICO Reprimands a School
  88. How does the recent global IT outage affect me?
  89. King's speech introduces new bills in relation to cyber security, smart data and digital information
  90. Navigating Privacy at the End of Term , Special Occasions and End of Year
  91. Out of date technology
  92. Data Retention and the Pupil File
  93. Have you assigned your SLT Digital Lead yet?
  94. What's a Cyber Incident and what should we do?
  95. Getting Started with AI (Artificial Intelligence)
  96. Cyber attack on a school during half term
  97. Free short cyber training for staff
  98. UPDATE: The Upcoming Election and The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill
  99. Update to the DfE Digital Cyber Security Standards for Schools and Colleges (May 2024)
  100. The rise of cyber attacks in schools are causing pupils to miss classes
  101. ICO: Learning from the mistakes of others report
  102. Children's mental health data leaked after a cyber attack
  103. Cyber attack on a Trust; the aftermath
  104. School Focus: The Vale Federation | Aylesbury
  105. DfE Dealing with Subject Access Requests (SARs) Guidance
  106. Update to the Guidance on Information Sharing from the DfE
  107. FOI Requests generated by Artificial Intelligence
  108. Social Media Best Practice Area
  109. Lettings Best Practice Area
  110. Appropriate filtering and monitoring definitions
  111. MFA Bombing - What is it?
  112. Protecting your Social Media Accounts
  113. Why we recommend using checklists
  114. Product Focus on Checklists : Initial Trust Plan
  115. Product Focus on Checklists : End of Term Checklist
  116. Product Focus on Checklists : Information and Cyber Security
  117. Product Focus on Checklists : Social Media
  118. Cyber Incident Review: The Benefits
  119. Product Focus on Checklists : Lettings
  120. Product Focus on Checklists : Record of Processing
  121. Milk Island: The secret location that allows children to view restricted content on Google Maps
  122. Why Data Should Stay Put: Benefits of Keeping Data in Its Original System
  123. Product Focus on Checklists : Data Retention and Destruction
  124. Product Focus on Checklists : Data Migration
  125. Product Focus on Checklists : Biometrics
  126. Product Focus on Checklists : Supplier Due Diligence
  127. Free Cyber help, advice and training with the Cyber Resilience Centres
  128. The Perils of Paper: The Printing Vulnerability
  129. Product Focus on Checklists : FOI
  130. Product Focus on Checklists : Governors and Data
  131. Product Focus on Checklists : DPIA
  132. Product Focus on Checklists : Site Moves
  133. Product Focus on Checklists : Data Breaches
  134. Product Focus on Checklists : Subject Access Requests
  135. Cyber attack on a University
  136. Product Focus on Checklists : Bring your own device
  137. Product Focus on Checklists : Working out of school/offsite
  138. Cyber Attack on a School
  139. Product Focus on Checklists : Redaction
  140. Major cyber-criminal gang Lockbit brought down by UK Law Enforcement
  141. Why Due Diligence is Important: Fake apps
  142. Product Focus on Checklists : CCTV
  143. Product Focus on Checklists : Clear desk
  144. Product Focus on Checklists : Commitment to compliance
  145. Product Focus on Checklists : Photos and video
  146. Product Focus on Checklists : Passwords
  147. Product Focus on Checklists : Information Classification
  148. Safer Internet Day 2024
  149. Kent Councils Data Breach
  150. Free cyber training for staff
  151. DfE Digital Standards Update
  152. The Mother of all Breaches
  153. ClassCharts Possible Data Breach
  154. Where is your data stored?
  155. IAPP looks at AI privacy risks
  156. If you suspect a financial scam .....
  157. Guardians of Privacy: 16. Social Media Checklist
  158. Guardians of Privacy: 15. Navigating Social Media in Educational Settings Summary
  159. Guardians of Privacy: 14. Social Media and Cyber Bullying
  160. Guardians of Privacy: 13. Social Media, Copyright and Intellectual Property
  161. Guardians of Privacy: 12. Social Media and Going Viral
  162. Guardians of Privacy: 11. Staff Social Media Accounts
  163. Guardians of Privacy: 10. Social Media and Cookies
  164. Guardians of Privacy: 9. Social Media and Morality
  165. New Resources for Schools from the ICO
  166. Guardians of Privacy: 8. Social Media Policies
  167. Guardians of Privacy: 7. Social Media Data Retention
  168. Guardians of Privacy: 6. Posting Safely
  169. Guardians of Privacy: 5. Social Media and Consent
  170. Guardians of Privacy: 4. Social Media Access Control
  171. Guardians of Privacy: 3. Social Media Channels
  172. Guardians of Privacy: 2. Law and Regulations
  173. Guardians of Privacy: 1. Social media, privacy and children
  174. Latest ICO Reprimand. Mr. S. Claus, Chief Executive Officer, North Pole Enterprises
  175. Phishing attacks targeting schools - alert from City of London Police
  176. The Data Protection And Digital Information Bill (DPADI)
  177. The ICO reprimands a Multi Academy Trust
  178. KCSIE: Filtering, Monitoring and Privacy
  179. Guidance for the use of school email and applying email retention in schools
  180. CISA and UK NCSC Announce Joint Guidelines for Secure AI System Development
  181. Data Protection Tips for Early Years Settings
  182. Children's Privacy around the world is a puzzle
  183. Trust Initial Plan Checklist Update
  184. Update on Advisory for Rhysida Ransomware
  185. Records Management Best Practice Update
  186. Governors and Data Best Practice Area Update
  187. The Crime in a Cyber Attack and a Data Breach
  188. What do I need to redact?
  189. NCSC Annual Review is published for 2023
  190. Learning from Data Breaches
  191. Windows 11 security ineffective against attacks on old devices
  192. Trust Initial Plan for Data Protection Compliance (for Multi Academy Trusts)
  193. International Counter Ransomware Initiative 2023 Joint Statement
  194. Google for Education Resources: Helping IT Admins meet DfE digital and technology standards
  195. Resistant Cloud Backups
  196. Top Ten Cyber Security Misconfigurations
  197. Lettings Best Practice and Guidance
  198. ICO Reprimand: company suffered a ransomware attack
  199. The UK Online Safety Bill becomes an Act (Law)
  200. Considerations when migrating to a new MIS
  201. The importance of software updates (PaperCut vulnerability and Rhysida ransomware)
  202. Public bodies and sensitive data
  203. Adding offline bulk training using the Certificates function
  204. Ransomware, extortion and the cyber crime ecosystem
  205. Get a DPE Badge for your website!
  206. ICO: 10 Step guide to sharing information to safeguard children
  207. Schools under Cyber Attack: September 2023
  208. Cyber Resource: The Cyber Resilience Centre Group
  209. Email and Security: ICO recent guidance
  210. Help after a Cyber Attack/Incident
  211. Social Media Policy
  212. Data Protection and Cyber Security (Inset Day) Training Ideas
  213. Changes to Microsoft Free Licensing for Schools
  214. What to do in the event of a Cyber Attack
  215. Cyber Crime: AI Generated Phishing Attacks
  216. Handling Freedom of Information Requests the right way
  217. Cyber Attack: Exam Boards
  218. VICE SOCIETY - Ransomware attacks on schools
  219. Using Tags if you are a group of organisations in the DPE Knowledge Bank
  220. Where's Harry the Hacker?
  221. Be Cyber Aware: USB Sticks
  222. Cyber Insurance in the Public Sector
  223. Types of Cyber Attacks: DDos Attack (Microsoft DDoS Attack in June)
  224. Cyber Attack: Manchester University
  225. Cyber Attack: Leytonstone School
  226. The ICO Reprimands a school
  227. Be Cyber Aware: Firewalls
  228. Subject Access Requests (SARs)
  229. Be Cyber Aware: Cyber attacks and transparency. A no blame culture
  230. Cyber Attack: Dorchester School
  231. Knowledge Bank Role Types: Admin, Staff and Trustee
  232. Types of Cyber Attacks: Password Attacks
  233. Be Cyber Aware: Why regular software updates are important
  234. Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2023
  235. Cyber Attack: Wiltshire School
  236. Keeping your IT systems safe and secure
  237. Types of Cyber Attacks: DDoS Attacks
  238. Types of Cyber Attacks: Phishing
  239. Types of Cyber Attacks: The Insider Threat
  240. Why your data is profitable to cyber criminals
  241. Using WhatsApp in Schools
  242. The Changes to Data Protection in the UK
  243. Knowledge Bank Updates
  244. Types of malware and how they are linked to data protection
  245. Striking Data Breach
  246. Windows Server 2012 & 2012 R2 Retirement
  247. How to contact us for support, subject access requests, data breaches and FOI's
  248. YouTube breached child protection laws
  249. How a school fought back after a cyberattack
  250. Types of Cyber Attacks - Credential Stuffing
  251. January Cyber update - How Can Schools Help Prevent Cyber Attacks?
  252. End of Windows 8.1 Support
  253. Assigning courses to staff using to-dos
  254. How the Record of Processing Can Help You
  255. Information Security Basics: What are VPN's?
  256. What does a Data Protection Officer Do?
  257. Are you ready for a Data Breach?
  258. Blog: Best Practice on the Retention of Child Protection Information
  259. Carrying out Supplier Due Diligence
  260. Email and retention periods
  261. How Long Should You Keep Personal Data For?
  262. The Education sector now at highest risk of cyber attacks
  263. How to Assess your Data Security
  264. Schools Blocked from Using Facial Recognition Systems
  265. Sharing this year’s Nativity play online
  266. The Children's Code
  267. Recording vaccination of staff
  268. B&H FoI: Racist/religious incidents/bullying
  269. Cyber Attacks
  270. Protocol for Setting Up and Delivery of Online Teaching and Learning
  271. Class Dojo International Data Sharing
  272. Model Publication Scheme: Amendments, Improvements and Updates
  273. Child friendly privacy notices
  274. Transparency
  275. Parents and students covertly recording conversations
  276. SAR? ER? FOI?
  277. Secure file transfer of files using Royal Mail
  278. Emergency contacts and consent
  279. Key elements of a successful DPIA
  280. FOI Publication Schemes
  281. SHARE: Avoid disinformation online
  282. Best Practice for Managing Photos and Video
  283. New Drip Feeds: Recognise and Respond to Subject Access Request
  284. When to contact the Data Protection Officer?
  285. National child measurement programme
  286. Make sure DPE is your registered DPO with the ICO
  287. Compliance Manager released
  288. Headteacher fined for breach of data protection legislation
  289. Emails – good practice and minimising the risk of a data breach

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