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.
News
🚫🔒 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.
📢 Another school has been hit with a cyber attack which has resulted in parent contact information being breached.
📢 We've received several phishing emails from schools recently that look like they are sharing a Microsoft file or folder with us.
Framlingham College, a boarding and day school for pupils aged 3 to 18 has said it identified a 'cyber security incident'.
A group of 13 secondary schools, 69 primary schools and 61 nurseries in West Lothian have suffered a cyber attack.
🛡️🕷️ 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.
📢 This week the news has reported cyber attacks on several major UK retailers: Marks and Spencer, the Co-op and Harrods, all of which have given everyone a stark reminder of the ever-present and evolving threat of cyber crime.
🔒 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.
⚖️🛡️ 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.
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.
📢📱 We've updated our Social Media Best Practice Area to include more information about marketing, including a new training course.
📢🏛️ 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.
😓💻 When organisations approach the end of a busy and stressful time, or as they rush to finish for a long weekend or holiday, we see a huge spike in data breaches reported to us.
🔄☁️ 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.
🤖🕒 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.
💻📢 The DfE are seeking views on proposals for narrowing the digital divide in schools and colleges. It outlines the DfE's long-term vision for narrowing the digital divide in schools and colleges.
💻 ⚠️ Arbor recently announced that it was including some AI as part of it's default configuration - some customers have raised questions about this with us.
✅📃 An MIS (management information system) is a critical part of the school's day to day operations and digital infrastructure. They can be on premise or in the cloud, which means contract terms can differ. We highlight the latest guidance alongside what is already data protection law - you should follow this, even if you are procuring your MIS through your local authority or third party IT provider.
📸✅ It's World Book Day on the 6th March when most schools will be celebrating reading and capturing photos of staff and students in their costumes. Given this is one of many significant photographic events in the calendar, we thought it was a good opportunity to remind everyone of photo and video best practice.
Some of our customers have been affected by the data breach reported by the HCRG Care Group. The group is currently investigating claims by a ransomware group that more than two terabytes of sensitive information has been breached.
☁️📲Apple has taken unprecedented steps to remove its highest level data security tool from customers in the UK - the reason? The UK government demanded access to user data.
🤖✅There is no doubt that AI is here to stay as it transforms organisations by helping to automate tasks, increase productivity and efficiency while influencing decision making. However: "With great power comes great responsibility".
✅🔍 We visit a lot of schools and have a lot of conversations about documentation we are asked to provide as new and returning visitors to organisations. Sometimes we don't agree with what the organisation is asking for, so we thought we'd give some clarification about regulatory requirements.
🎥🤖 Some of the organisations we are talking to are a little confused about AI, whether they should use it and if their staff already are using it or not. We've put together a short video explaining the different types of AI, the risks and how you should start documenting your use.
🛡️🔒We couldn't get through today without mentioning it's Safer Internet Day today (11th February). And while we don't need a special day to talk about being safe online, cyber security and data protection, we welcome any chance to highlight how important they all are.
🏆🥊🛡️When we meet with schools we are often asked whether we think they should be looking at the DfE Digital Standards or Cyber Essentials, aren't they the same?
✅ 🔒 Organisation's rely heavily on third-party software suppliers for day to day business. We explore the critical aspects of software supplier due diligence and why it should be a priority for every organisation.
🚨 Pupils' sensitive data was shared 'by mistake' by Wellsway School in response to an FOI. 🚨
📢🤖📢 We are pleased to announce our AI Best Practice Area & AI Template Policy
- Blacon High School Cyber Attack
- WhatsApp and FOI's: ICO Warnings
- New AI Guidance from the DfE
- The role of Passkeys in Cyber Resilience and Cyber Security
- What the proposed Government legislative proposal around cyber crime means
- ICO report on AI tools in recruitment
- DfE update to record keeping and management
- Update to data sharing for school immunisation programmes
- Early Years Settings and Cyber Security
- SLT Digital Lead Profile
- Ransomware-Resistant Backups
- The role of governors in cyber security and data protection
- DfE Digital Standards Webinars 2025
- Navigating Privacy at the End of Term , Special Occasions and End of Year
- Effectively communicating during a cyber incident
- Contracts Register
- South East Technological University has experienced a cyber incident
- Safeguarding Identity in Microsoft 365: Protecting the UK Education Sector Against Cyber Threats
- DfE Digital Standards Autumn Update
- The importance of knowing how to access your CCTV footage!
- Cyber Attack on a Special School
- Stealing children's data
- What is dark data? (and why does it matter?)
- Ofqual highlights the value of cyber security training in schools
- Searching for data when you receive a Subject Access Request
- Fylde Coast Academy Trust Cyber Attack This Week
- Calling all IT leads in schools and mult academy trusts!
- Ransomware cyber attack on a school in Bromley
- Join Our Social Media Family!
- School hit by Cyber Attack
- Cyber Security Best Practice Area
- DfE Digital Standards for Schools and Colleges Tracker
- New Policies, Documents, Letters and Posters page
- Schools and Trusts Best Practice Area
- The DPE Retention Schedule
- Making the Rounds Update (now includes reporting)
- ESFA Cyber Essentials Requirement for Colleges from 2024/2025
- ICO Reprimands a School
- How does the recent global IT outage affect me?
- King's speech introduces new bills in relation to cyber security, smart data and digital information
- Navigating Privacy at the End of Term , Special Occasions and End of Year
- Out of date technology
- Data Retention and the Pupil File
- Have you assigned your SLT Digital Lead yet?
- What's a Cyber Incident and what should we do?
- Getting Started with AI (Artificial Intelligence)
- Cyber attack on a school during half term
- Free short cyber training for staff
- Update to the DfE Digital Cyber Security Standards for Schools and Colleges (May 2024)
- The rise of cyber attacks in schools are causing pupils to miss classes
- ICO: Learning from the mistakes of others report
- Children's mental health data leaked after a cyber attack
- Cyber attack on a Trust; the aftermath
- School Focus: The Vale Federation | Aylesbury
- DfE Dealing with Subject Access Requests (SARs) Guidance
- Update to the Guidance on Information Sharing from the DfE
- FOI Requests generated by Artificial Intelligence
- Social Media Best Practice Area
- Lettings Best Practice Area
- Appropriate filtering and monitoring definitions
- MFA Bombing - What is it?
- Protecting your Social Media Accounts
- Why we recommend using checklists
- Product Focus on Checklists : Initial Trust Plan
- Product Focus on Checklists : End of Term Checklist
- Product Focus on Checklists : Information and Cyber Security
- Product Focus on Checklists : Social Media
- Cyber Incident Review: The Benefits
- Product Focus on Checklists : Lettings
- Product Focus on Checklists : Record of Processing
- Milk Island: The secret location that allows children to view restricted content on Google Maps
- Why Data Should Stay Put: Benefits of Keeping Data in Its Original System
- Product Focus on Checklists : Data Retention and Destruction
- Product Focus on Checklists : Data Migration
- Product Focus on Checklists : Biometrics
- Product Focus on Checklists : Supplier Due Diligence
- Free Cyber help, advice and training with the Cyber Resilience Centres
- The Perils of Paper: The Printing Vulnerability
- Product Focus on Checklists : FOI
- Product Focus on Checklists : Governors and Data
- Product Focus on Checklists : DPIA
- Product Focus on Checklists : Site Moves
- Product Focus on Checklists : Data Breaches
- Product Focus on Checklists : Subject Access Requests
- Cyber attack on a University
- Product Focus on Checklists : Bring your own device
- Product Focus on Checklists : Working out of school/offsite
- Cyber Attack on a School
- Product Focus on Checklists : Redaction
- Major cyber-criminal gang Lockbit brought down by UK Law Enforcement
- Why Due Diligence is Important: Fake apps
- Product Focus on Checklists : CCTV
- Product Focus on Checklists : Clear desk
- Product Focus on Checklists : Commitment to compliance
- Product Focus on Checklists : Photos and video
- Product Focus on Checklists : Passwords
- Product Focus on Checklists : Information Classification
- Safer Internet Day 2024
- Kent Councils Data Breach
- Free cyber training for staff
- DfE Digital Standards Update
- The Mother of all Breaches
- ClassCharts Possible Data Breach
- Where is your data stored?
- IAPP looks at AI privacy risks
- If you suspect a financial scam .....
- Guardians of Privacy: 16. Social Media Checklist
- Guardians of Privacy: 15. Navigating Social Media in Educational Settings Summary
- Guardians of Privacy: 14. Social Media and Cyber Bullying
- Guardians of Privacy: 13. Social Media, Copyright and Intellectual Property
- Guardians of Privacy: 12. Social Media and Going Viral
- Guardians of Privacy: 11. Staff Social Media Accounts
- Guardians of Privacy: 10. Social Media and Cookies
- Guardians of Privacy: 9. Social Media and Morality
- New Resources for Schools from the ICO
- Guardians of Privacy: 8. Social Media Policies
- Guardians of Privacy: 7. Social Media Data Retention
- Guardians of Privacy: 6. Posting Safely
- Guardians of Privacy: 5. Social Media and Consent
- Guardians of Privacy: 4. Social Media Access Control
- Guardians of Privacy: 3. Social Media Channels
- Guardians of Privacy: 2. Law and Regulations
- Guardians of Privacy: 1. Social media, privacy and children
- Latest ICO Reprimand. Mr. S. Claus, Chief Executive Officer, North Pole Enterprises
- Phishing attacks targeting schools - alert from City of London Police
- The ICO reprimands a Multi Academy Trust
- KCSIE: Filtering, Monitoring and Privacy
- Guidance for the use of school email and applying email retention in schools
- CISA and UK NCSC Announce Joint Guidelines for Secure AI System Development
- Data Protection Tips for Early Years Settings
- Children's Privacy around the world is a puzzle
- Trust Initial Plan Checklist Update
- Update on Advisory for Rhysida Ransomware
- Records Management Best Practice Update
- Governors and Data Best Practice Area Update
- The Crime in a Cyber Attack and a Data Breach
- What do I need to redact?
- NCSC Annual Review is published for 2023
- Learning from Data Breaches
- Windows 11 security ineffective against attacks on old devices
- Trust Initial Plan for Data Protection Compliance (for Multi Academy Trusts)
- International Counter Ransomware Initiative 2023 Joint Statement
- Google for Education Resources: Helping IT Admins meet DfE digital and technology standards
- Resistant Cloud Backups
- Top Ten Cyber Security Misconfigurations
- Lettings Best Practice and Guidance
- ICO Reprimand: company suffered a ransomware attack
- The UK Online Safety Bill becomes an Act (Law)
- Considerations when migrating to a new MIS
- The importance of software updates (PaperCut vulnerability and Rhysida ransomware)
- Public bodies and sensitive data
- Adding offline bulk training using the Certificates function
- Ransomware, extortion and the cyber crime ecosystem
- Get a DPE Badge for your website!
- ICO: 10 Step guide to sharing information to safeguard children
- Cyber Resource: The Cyber Resilience Centre Group
- Email and Security: ICO recent guidance
- Help after a Cyber Attack/Incident
- Social Media Policy
- Data Protection and Cyber Security (Inset Day) Training Ideas
- Changes to Microsoft Free Licensing for Schools
- What to do in the event of a Cyber Attack
- Cyber Crime: AI Generated Phishing Attacks
- Handling Freedom of Information Requests the right way
- Cyber Attack: Exam Boards
- VICE SOCIETY - Ransomware attacks on schools
- Using Tags if you are a group of organisations in the DPE Knowledge Bank
- Where's Harry the Hacker?
- Be Cyber Aware: USB Sticks
- Cyber Insurance in the Public Sector
- Types of Cyber Attacks: DDos Attack (Microsoft DDoS Attack in June)
- Cyber Attack: Manchester University
- Cyber Attack: Leytonstone School
- The ICO Reprimands a school
- Be Cyber Aware: Firewalls
- Be Cyber Aware: Cyber attacks and transparency. A no blame culture
- Cyber Attack: Dorchester School
- Knowledge Bank Role Types: Admin, Staff and Trustee
- Types of Cyber Attacks: Password Attacks
- Be Cyber Aware: Why regular software updates are important
- Cyber Attack: Wiltshire School
- Keeping your IT systems safe and secure
- Types of Cyber Attacks: DDoS Attacks
- Types of Cyber Attacks: Phishing
- Types of Cyber Attacks: The Insider Threat
- Why your data is profitable to cyber criminals
- Using WhatsApp in Schools
- The Changes to Data Protection in the UK
- Knowledge Bank Updates
- Types of malware and how they are linked to data protection
- Striking Data Breach
- Windows Server 2012 & 2012 R2 Retirement
- How to contact us for support, subject access requests, data breaches and FOI's
- YouTube breached child protection laws
- How a school fought back after a cyberattack
- Types of Cyber Attacks - Credential Stuffing
- January Cyber update - How Can Schools Help Prevent Cyber Attacks?
- Assigning courses to staff using to-dos
- How the Record of Processing Can Help You
- Information Security Basics: What are VPN's?
- What does a Data Protection Officer Do?
- Are you ready for a Data Breach?
- Carrying out Supplier Due Diligence
- Email and retention periods
- How Long Should You Keep Personal Data For?
- The Education sector now at highest risk of cyber attacks
- How to Assess your Data Security
- Schools Blocked from Using Facial Recognition Systems
- Sharing this year’s Nativity play online
- The Children's Code
- B&H FoI: Racist/religious incidents/bullying
- Cyber Attacks
- Protocol for Setting Up and Delivery of Online Teaching and Learning
- Class Dojo International Data Sharing
- Model Publication Scheme: Amendments, Improvements and Updates
- Child friendly privacy notices
- Transparency
- Parents and students covertly recording conversations
- SAR? ER? FOI?
- Secure file transfer of files using Royal Mail
- Emergency contacts and consent
- Key elements of a successful DPIA
- FOI Publication Schemes
- SHARE: Avoid disinformation online
- Best Practice for Managing Photos and Video
- New Drip Feeds: Recognise and Respond to Subject Access Request
- When to contact the Data Protection Officer?
- National child measurement programme
- Make sure DPE is your registered DPO with the ICO
- Compliance Manager released
- Headteacher fined for breach of data protection legislation
- Emails – good practice and minimising the risk of a data breach
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