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.

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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.

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

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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

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 …

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.

Read more …

Photo of blocks and notepads with the words, honesty, integrity, values and ethics in red ink. Above the photo in white on black: National Honesty Day: How transparent is your organisation?

National Honesty Day: Transparency

⚖️🛡️ National Honesty Day, although one day to highlight the importance of honesty, it reminds us of how importance truth is in the realms of data protection and cyber security and how it should be part of an organisation's fundamental beliefs and ethos.

Read more …

Photo of glasses, the letters 'FOIA' in red, Freedom of information black text on white background.  BBC News Reporter request, DAta Protection Education DPO badge

FOI Request - BBC News

This article shares advice we have given to several customers who have received an FOI request from the BBC News about conducting research into the challenges of handling harmful sexual behaviour in schools.

Read more …

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

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