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 …

Robot hand pointing to opt out check box. Arbor AI in orange text, On by default in white text. Data Protection Education logo. Blue background

Arbor AI - On By Default

💻 ⚠️ 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.

Read more …

Background photo of digital folders around a shield in blue and white. A bag of money in a trolley. Text says procuring a new MIS. Data Protection Education logo

DfE Guidance: Choosing a new MIS

✅📃 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.

Read more …

photo of a girl sitting on a stack of books, a camera lens in the background. Navy text: Sharing photos on World Book Day privacy considerations. Data Protection Education logo

Sharing photos on World Book Day: Privacy considerations

📸✅ 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.

Read more …

Text: HCRG Data Breach. Photo of a hand coming out of a laptop holding a red key

HCRG Care Group data breach

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.

Read more …

Black and grey background with white visitor badge with black text: Visitor and Data Protection Education logo on the badge.  How to verify it white text. Visitors in blue text on an orange background.

How to verify visitors the right way

✅🔍 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.

Read more …

blue text a quick guide to: AI in black text. Blue robot dog. Data Protection education logo

Short Guide to AI Video

🎥🤖  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.

Read more …

Safer Internet Day official art work, coloured orange and blue text: Safer Internet Day, Cyber Security, Data Protection. Data Protection Education logo

Safer Internet Day, Cyber Security & Data Protection

🛡️🔒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.

Read more …

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

Search

Keep in the Know!

Get our latest news directly to your inbox

Privacy notice