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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.
Tammy Buchanan
Best Practice Updates

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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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
Tammy Buchanan
Best Practice Updates

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.

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  1. School cyber attack: Framlingham College, Suffolk
  2. West Lothian Schools in Cyber Attack
  3. A Wake-Up Call for Cyber Vigilance - Danger in the Threat Landscape for Everyone
  4. New Governor Resources
  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. Short Guide to AI Video
  10. Safer Internet Day, Cyber Security & Data Protection
  11. The Cyber Resilience Championship
  12. The Multiple Dimensions of Supplier Due Diligence
  13. School shares sensitive pupil information as part of an FOI response
  14. Blacon High School Cyber Attack
  15. WhatsApp and FOI's: ICO Warnings
  16. New AI Guidance from the DfE
  17. What the proposed Government legislative proposal around cyber crime means
  18. DfE update to record keeping and management
  19. Update to data sharing for school immunisation programmes
  20. SLT Digital Lead Profile
  21. The role of governors in cyber security and data protection
  22. Navigating Privacy at the End of Term , Special Occasions and End of Year
  23. South East Technological University has experienced a cyber incident
  24. Safeguarding Identity in Microsoft 365: Protecting the UK Education Sector Against Cyber Threats
  25. Cyber Attack on a Special School
  26. Stealing children's data
  27. Ofqual highlights the value of cyber security training in schools
  28. Fylde Coast Academy Trust Cyber Attack This Week
  29. Calling all IT leads in schools and mult academy trusts!
  30. Ransomware cyber attack on a school in Bromley
  31. School hit by Cyber Attack
  32. DfE Digital Standards for Schools and Colleges Tracker
  33. Schools and Trusts Best Practice Area
  34. ESFA Cyber Essentials Requirement for Colleges from 2024/2025
  35. ICO Reprimands a School
  36. Out of date technology
  37. Data Retention and the Pupil File
  38. Have you assigned your SLT Digital Lead yet?
  39. What's a Cyber Incident and what should we do?
  40. Getting Started with AI (Artificial Intelligence)
  41. Cyber attack on a school during half term
  42. The rise of cyber attacks in schools are causing pupils to miss classes
  43. Cyber attack on a Trust; the aftermath
  44. School Focus: The Vale Federation | Aylesbury
  45. DfE Dealing with Subject Access Requests (SARs) Guidance
  46. Update to the Guidance on Information Sharing from the DfE
  47. Product Focus on Checklists : Initial Trust Plan
  48. Product Focus on Checklists : End of Term Checklist
  49. Product Focus on Checklists : Social Media
  50. Product Focus on Checklists : Lettings
  51. Milk Island: The secret location that allows children to view restricted content on Google Maps
  52. Free Cyber help, advice and training with the Cyber Resilience Centres
  53. The Perils of Paper: The Printing Vulnerability
  54. Product Focus on Checklists : Governors and Data
  55. Product Focus on Checklists : Site Moves
  56. Cyber attack on a University
  57. Product Focus on Checklists : Bring your own device
  58. Product Focus on Checklists : Working out of school/offsite
  59. Cyber Attack on a School
  60. Major cyber-criminal gang Lockbit brought down by UK Law Enforcement
  61. Product Focus on Checklists : Photos and video
  62. Safer Internet Day 2024
  63. Kent Councils Data Breach
  64. Free cyber training for staff
  65. DfE Digital Standards Update
  66. ClassCharts Possible Data Breach
  67. School Focus: St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School | Brighton
  68. Guardians of Privacy: 16. Social Media Checklist
  69. Guardians of Privacy: 15. Navigating Social Media in Educational Settings Summary
  70. Guardians of Privacy: 14. Social Media and Cyber Bullying
  71. Guardians of Privacy: 13. Social Media, Copyright and Intellectual Property
  72. Guardians of Privacy: 12. Social Media and Going Viral
  73. Guardians of Privacy: 11. Staff Social Media Accounts
  74. Guardians of Privacy: 10. Social Media and Cookies
  75. Guardians of Privacy: 9. Social Media and Morality
  76. New Resources for Schools from the ICO
  77. Guardians of Privacy: 8. Social Media Policies
  78. Guardians of Privacy: 7. Social Media Data Retention
  79. Guardians of Privacy: 6. Posting Safely
  80. Guardians of Privacy: 5. Social Media and Consent
  81. Guardians of Privacy: 4. Social Media Access Control
  82. Guardians of Privacy: 3. Social Media Channels
  83. Guardians of Privacy: 2. Law and Regulations
  84. Phishing attacks targeting schools - alert from City of London Police
  85. The ICO reprimands a Multi Academy Trust
  86. Guidance for the use of school email and applying email retention in schools
  87. Data Protection Tips for Early Years Settings
  88. Trust Initial Plan Checklist Update
  89. Update on Advisory for Rhysida Ransomware
  90. Trust Initial Plan for Data Protection Compliance (for Multi Academy Trusts)
  91. Google for Education Resources: Helping IT Admins meet DfE digital and technology standards
  92. Lettings Best Practice and Guidance
  93. The UK Online Safety Bill becomes an Act (Law)
  94. Considerations when migrating to a new MIS
  95. The importance of software updates (PaperCut vulnerability and Rhysida ransomware)
  96. Public bodies and sensitive data
  97. ICO: 10 Step guide to sharing information to safeguard children
  98. Email and Security: ICO recent guidance
  99. Social Media Policy
  100. Data Protection and Cyber Security (Inset Day) Training Ideas
  101. Changes to Microsoft Free Licensing for Schools
  102. What to do in the event of a Cyber Attack
  103. How KCSIE is linked to Cyber Strategy
  104. VICE SOCIETY - Ransomware attacks on schools
  105. Using Tags if you are a group of organisations in the DPE Knowledge Bank
  106. Cyber Insurance in the Public Sector
  107. Cyber Attack: Leytonstone School
  108. The ICO Reprimands a school
  109. Cyber Attack: Dorchester School
  110. Knowledge Bank Role Types: Admin, Staff and Trustee
  111. Cyber Attack: Wiltshire School
  112. Types of Cyber Attacks: The Insider Threat
  113. Why your data is profitable to cyber criminals
  114. Striking Data Breach
  115. January Cyber update - How Can Schools Help Prevent Cyber Attacks?
  116. FOI: Vaccination Justifications
  117. The Education sector now at highest risk of cyber attacks
  118. Schools Blocked from Using Facial Recognition Systems
  119. The Children's Code
  120. Cyber Attacks
  121. Protocol for Setting Up and Delivery of Online Teaching and Learning
  122. Class Dojo International Data Sharing
  123. Secure file transfer of files using Royal Mail
  124. Emergency contacts and consent
  125. Best Practice for Managing Photos and Video
  126. Headteacher fined for breach of data protection legislation

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