News

A detailed flowchart titled "Accountability Framework" showing how the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) framework and DfE (Department for Education) Digital Standard Trackers align. The central hub is "Accountability Framework" with ten radiating branches, each representing a key area: Leadership & Oversight, Risk Management, Policies & Procedures, Individual Rights, Response & Enforcement, Monitoring Verification & Reporting, Transparency, Records Management & Security, Contracts & Data Sharing, and Training & Awareness. Each branch connects to a box labeled "DfE Digital Standard Trackers," with several icons and checklist boxes underneath. The bottom of the image lists various tools and resources, including "Best Practice Library," "Retention Schedule," "Phishing simulations," "Risk Register," and "Accountability Tracker," which are all linked to the main framework. The overall image illustrates a comprehensive system for achieving and tracking data protection compliance in an educational setting.

Building a Secure School: Using the ICO Accountability Framework to Meet DfE Digital Standards

The ICO Accountability Framework is a crucial tool for any organisation handling personal data, providing a structured approach to data protection compliance. When applied to the Department for Education (DfE) Digital Standards, it becomes a powerful mechanism for schools and trusts to ensure their technology and data practices are not only efficient but also legally compliant and secure.

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A photograph of a school classroom that has been broken into, showing damage and signs of theft. In the foreground, a wooden laptop trolley is open and empty, with a single black laptop sitting on top. Glass from a shattered window on the left side of the room is scattered across the floor, catching the light. Desks and chairs are disarranged, and a projector screen is torn. A chalkboard with some graffiti is visible in the background, completing the scene of a ransacked classroom.

Why Physical and Data Security Must Go Hand-In-Hand

The sight of a ransacked classroom is unsettling, especially for a junior school community. A break-in is not just about the cost of a new window or a replacement laptop; it is also about the potential loss of sensitive data.  Greenfields Junior School, in Green Lane, was broken into during the summer holidays.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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! 🛍️

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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

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