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.

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 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

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

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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 …

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

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