News

A vibrant, graphic image with a deep blue background announces "POLICY UPDATES" in large, white lettering. Below this, smaller text reads: "Our latest document and policy updates are now available!" To the right, a list under the heading "New documents:" highlights two items: Data Rights Complaints Process Subject Access Request Clarification Template A prominent 3D icon in the center shows a large magnifying glass with an orange handle and a blue head, focusing on a white and blue shield. The shield has an orange checkmark in its center. The bottom right corner features a logo for "DATA PROTECTION EDUCATION".

We've updated and added some new policies, including the Data Protection Policy, Model Redaction Guidelines, Data Rights Complaints Process, Freedom of Information Policy, SAR Procedure Template, SAR Response Template, Subject Access Request Clarification Template.  This article shows an amendments made to the documents.

A young girl with a happy expression rests her chin in her hands, looking at the camera. She has long brown hair and is wearing a dark top. To the right of the image, a dark blue box contains white text and three orange star icons. The text reads "KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN EDUCATION" at the top, followed by "September 2025 Update". Below that, the orange stars precede the lines "Data Protection," "DfE Digital Standards," and "Records Management." The background is a solid bright blue, with small white sparkles scattered around the text box. The "DATA PROTECTION EDUCATION" logo is in the bottom left corner.

The latest release of the "Keeping Children Safe in Education" guidance brings important updates for schools and colleges, including points relating to the rapidly evolving digital landscape.  Most of the changes in this year's guidance are technical.

A blue graphic with three children peering over a dark blue banner. The banner has white text that reads "Back to School Basics: Data Protection & Cyber Security." To the left of the text is a stack of school books with a red apple on top. To the right is a laptop displaying a logo with the text "Data Protection Education."

As schools begin to welcome back students, staff and new joiners, the focus is on the new academic year: curriculum planning, safeguarding and operational logistics.  An equally critical and statutory area that demands attention is data protection and cyber security compliance.  Adhering to data protection law isn't just about avoiding fines; it's about protecting sensitive personal data of children, their families and staff.

A stylized image of a panda wearing a dark suit and tie, standing in a bamboo forest. The background is a mix of digital circuit patterns and glowing lights. At the bottom, a graphic overlay with the text, "IS THERE A 'MURKY PANDA' ON THE TIMETABLE? THE LATEST CYBER THREAT." The logo for "D NEWS" is in the bottom right corner.

The Murky Panda (also known as Silk Typhoon) is a cyber threat that has had significant activity since 2023 and has targeted government, technology, academic, legal and professional services. Currently there are reports of the threats only in North America, however, as the Murky Panda has previously targeted compromises in the cloud, it is assumed that they will easily transition to attacks further afield. The threat group is a China-nexus group

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

📲👍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.

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

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

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

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.

📳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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

🚫🔒 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.

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

🛡️🕷️ 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.

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, 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.

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

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.

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

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