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".

September 2025 Policy and Document Updates

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.

Read more …

 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."

Back to School Basics for Data Protection and Cyber Security Compliance

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.

Read more …

 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 Latest Cyber Threat: The "Murky Panda"

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

Read more …

 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.

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 …

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

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