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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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DfE Guidance: Choosing a new MIS

✅📃 An MIS (management information system) is a critical part of the school's day to day operations and digital infrastructure.  They can be on premise or in the cloud, which means contract terms can differ.  We highlight the latest guidance alongside what is already data protection law - you should follow this, even if you are procuring your MIS through your local authority or third party IT provider.

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HCRG Care Group data breach

Some of our customers have been affected by the data breach reported by the HCRG Care Group.  The group is currently investigating claims by a ransomware group that more than two terabytes of sensitive information has been breached.

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How to verify visitors the right way

✅🔍 We visit a lot of schools and have a lot of conversations about documentation we are asked to provide as new and returning visitors to organisations. Sometimes we don't agree with what the organisation is asking for, so we thought we'd give some clarification about regulatory requirements.

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Short Guide to AI Video

🎥🤖  Some of the organisations we are talking to are a little confused about AI, whether they should use it and if their staff already are using it or not.  We've put together a short video explaining the different types of AI, the risks and how you should start documenting your use.

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Safer Internet Day, Cyber Security & Data Protection

🛡️🔒We couldn't get through today without mentioning it's Safer Internet Day today (11th February).  And while we don't need a special day to talk about being safe online, cyber security and data protection, we welcome any chance to highlight how important they all are.

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

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