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 …

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 …

Ludo pieces on a board on white background. Blue text: New Governor resources, Governors: data protection & cyber security course, governance frameworks: data protection, cyber governance code of practice. Data Protection Education logo and DPO services badge

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.

Read more …

Image of circles with people in and finger pushing one on a world map in blue.  World backup Day 2025 in Blue. Data Protection Education logo

World Backup Day

🔄☁️ Having a robust backup is being prepared against data loss and data theft.  March 31st is World Backup day to remind everyone of the importance of having a robust and accessible backup.

Read more …

Transparent image of a teacher at the front of a class teaching children.  Robot holding AI in blue letters. Text in blue and black: 83% teacher say AI is a time saver. Data Protection Education logo

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.

Read more …

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

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