Primary school age girl in school uniform on a laptop.  Computer screen in the background with the words cyber attack and cyber breach

Cyber Attack on a School

The Misbourne School in Great Missenden had to partially shutdown in January due to a cyber attack.  The attack significantly affected its infrastructure and operations.

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Masked hacker at a computer with his finger to his lips.  A red closed stamp across the picture

Major cyber-criminal gang Lockbit brought down by UK Law Enforcement

The NCA (National Crime Agency) has infiltrated systems belonging to LockBit - the UK has led an operation to disrupt what is thought to be the world's largest criminal ransomware group.  For the last four years, the LockBit group has been hacking into thousands of businesses, schools and medical facilities around the world.

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A mobile phone with lots of apps held in a hand.  The word fake in navy on an orange background.  Data Protection Education logo

Why Due Diligence is Important: Fake apps

We recommend completing due diligence on any third party suppliers that you share personal data with.  We recommend that you do this BEFORE purchasing, installing and using the product to share information.  Our Knowledge Bank platform has a Supplier Due Diligence Best Practice area to help with this and lists many suppliers that we have done some generic risk assessments on.  Ensuring due diligence is part of your procurement process for apps means that someone is less likely to

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Safer Internet Day in blue text, Tuesday 6 February 2024 in orange text, saferinternetday.org.uk in black text

Safer Internet Day 2024

We couldn't let today go by without mentioning Safer Internet Day when so many of our customers are schools and trusts.  Educators, social workers and other professionals working with children and young people play a key role in supporting children to learn about how to stay safe online.

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Kent Councils Data Breach

The ICO has confirmed a data breach from Kent councils.  The breach was reported by three Kent councils who share the same IT support provider.  Canterbury, Dover and Thanet councils continue to be hampered by the disruptions of onlines services following a cyber incident.

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Free cyber training for staff

Did you know that annual cyber security training for school staff is a requirement in the DfE Digital Standards for Schools and Colleges Cyber Security Standards Document?

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Meeting DfE Digital standards in schools and colleges in orange and white text. Children in the background smiling or working. Children in a small circle graphic on laptops.  Data Protection Education logo in blue on an orange background

DfE Digital Standards Update

The DfE have recently published an update to their meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges, with three new sections:
Digital Accessibility Standards
Digital Leadership and Governance Standards
Laptop, desktop and tablet standards

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Data breach in orange text on a computer screen with computer data behind it

The Mother of all Breaches

Security researchers and computing blogs are reporting 'the mother of all breaches' in reference to a data breach where billions of records have been breached.  The dataset doesn't come from one single breach but a compilation of multiple data breaches.  

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Data breach in orange text in computing font on a computer screen with computer code in blue text

ClassCharts Possible Data Breach

A number of schools have reported a data breach by ClassCharts this week.  ClassCharts is school management software that allows teachers to create a customisable classroom seating chart.  It can also be used to track student behaviour, reading levels and other student data.

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Black and white server room with Data Protection education in blue writing on one of the doors.

Where is your data stored?

Understanding where your data is stored is crucial for both records management (data retention) and retrieving personal data in cases of Subject Access Requests.  This article looks at where Microsoft 365 stores it's data.

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Robot wearing an orange hoodie holding a piece of paper with the words Data Protection education is transparent text

IAPP looks at AI privacy risks

This week the IAPP published a set of AI privacy risks in the wake of concerns over how AI should be regulated.  There are moves to regulate AI, such as the EU AI Act, however  because AI remains quite an unknown quantity, there is a lot of unease and uncertainty around it's use, ethics, privacy and intellectual property.

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hand holding a mobile phone with social media icons on it. Litus Digital logo and Data Protection Education logo. Guardians of Privacy: Navigating social media in educational settings in blue text.  A series of articles about social media, privacy and schools in black text.  Coloured pencils at the bottom

Guardians of Privacy: 16. Social Media Checklist

This article is one of a series written by Data Protection Education in collaboration with Litus Digital, a social media management company.  The articles came about from questions asked by Data Protection Education's customers, our own experience of working in education,  as school governors, parents and data protection professionals.  The articles raise questions about how social media can be used as safely as possible in a school environment,  security consideratio

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Guardians of Privacy: 15. Navigating Social Media in Educational Settings Summary

This article is one of a series written by Data Protection Education in collaboration with Litus Digital, a social media management company.  The articles came about from questions asked by Data Protection Education's customers, our own experience of working in education,  as school governors, parents and data protection professionals.  The articles raise questions about how social media can be used as safely as possible in a school environment,  security consideratio

Read more …

hand holding a mobile phone with social media icons on it. Litus Digital logo and Data Protection Education logo. Guardians of Privacy: Navigating social media in educational settings in blue text.  A series of articles about social media, privacy and schools in black text.  Coloured pencils at the bottom

Guardians of Privacy: 14. Social Media and Cyber Bullying

This article is one of a series written by Data Protection Education in collaboration with Litus Digital, a social media management company.  The articles came about from questions asked by Data Protection Education's customers, our own experience of working in education,  as school governors, parents and data protection professionals.  The articles raise questions about how social media can be used as safely as possible in a school environment,  security consideratio

Read more …

hand holding a mobile phone with social media icons on it. Litus Digital logo and Data Protection Education logo. Guardians of Privacy: Navigating social media in educational settings in blue text.  A series of articles about social media, privacy and schools in black text.  Coloured pencils at the bottom

Guardians of Privacy: 13. Social Media, Copyright and Intellectual Property

This article is one of a series written by Data Protection Education in collaboration with Litus Digital, a social media management company.  The articles came about from questions asked by Data Protection Education's customers, our own experience of working in education,  as school governors, parents and data protection professionals.  The articles raise questions about how social media can be used as safely as possible in a school environment,  security consideratio

Read more …

hand holding a mobile phone with social media icons on it. Litus Digital logo and Data Protection Education logo. Guardians of Privacy: Navigating social media in educational settings in blue text.  A series of articles about social media, privacy and schools in black text.  Coloured pencils at the bottom

Guardians of Privacy: 12. Social Media and Going Viral

This article is one of a series written by Data Protection Education in collaboration with Litus Digital, a social media management company.  The articles came about from questions asked by Data Protection Education's customers, our own experience of working in education,  as school governors, parents and data protection professionals.  The articles raise questions about how social media can be used as safely as possible in a school environment,  security consideratio

Read more …

hand holding a mobile phone with social media icons on it. Litus Digital logo and Data Protection Education logo. Guardians of Privacy: Navigating social media in educational settings in blue text.  A series of articles about social media, privacy and schools in black text.  Coloured pencils at the bottom

Guardians of Privacy: 11. Staff Social Media Accounts

This article is one of a series written by Data Protection Education in collaboration with Litus Digital, a social media management company.  The articles came about from questions asked by Data Protection Education's customers, our own experience of working in education,  as school governors, parents and data protection professionals.  The articles raise questions about how social media can be used as safely as possible in a school environment,  security consideratio

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hand holding a mobile phone with social media icons on it. Litus Digital logo and Data Protection Education logo. Guardians of Privacy: Navigating social media in educational settings in blue text.  A series of articles about social media, privacy and schools in black text.  Coloured pencils at the bottom

Guardians of Privacy: 10. Social Media and Cookies

This article is one of a series written by Data Protection Education in collaboration with Litus Digital, a social media management company.  The articles came about from questions asked by Data Protection Education's customers, our own experience of working in education,  as school governors, parents and data protection professionals.  The articles raise questions about how social media can be used as safely as possible in a school environment,  security consideratio

Read more …

hand holding a mobile phone with social media icons on it. Litus Digital logo and Data Protection Education logo. Guardians of Privacy: Navigating social media in educational settings in blue text.  A series of articles about social media, privacy and schools in black text.  Coloured pencils at the bottom

Guardians of Privacy: 9. Social Media and Morality

This article is one of a series written by Data Protection Education in collaboration with Litus Digital, a social media management company.  The articles came about from questions asked by Data Protection Education's customers, our own experience of working in education,  as school governors, parents and data protection professionals.  The articles raise questions about how social media can be used as safely as possible in a school environment,  security consideratio

Read more …

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New Resources for Schools from the ICO

The ICO has recently published a new set of resources for schools.  They are for teachers to use when discussing privacy issues and the value of personal data.  The kit includes lesson plans which explain what counts as personal data and why it is valuable and how to keep it safe.  The resources are free to download and use.

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hand holding a mobile phone with social media icons on it. Litus Digital logo and Data Protection Education logo. Guardians of Privacy: Navigating social media in educational settings in blue text.  A series of articles about social media, privacy and schools in black text.  Coloured pencils at the bottom

Guardians of Privacy: 8. Social Media Policies

This article is one of a series written by Data Protection Education in collaboration with Litus Digital, a social media management company.  The articles came about from questions asked by Data Protection Education's customers, our own experience of working in education,  as school governors, parents and data protection professionals.  The articles raise questions about how social media can be used as safely as possible in a school environment,  security consideratio

Read more …

hand holding a mobile phone with social media icons on it. Litus Digital logo and Data Protection Education logo. Guardians of Privacy: Navigating social media in educational settings in blue text.  A series of articles about social media, privacy and schools in black text.  Coloured pencils at the bottom

Guardians of Privacy: 7. Social Media Data Retention

This article is one of a series written by Data Protection Education in collaboration with Litus Digital, a social media management company.  The articles came about from questions asked by Data Protection Education's customers, our own experience of working in education,  as school governors, parents and data protection professionals.  The articles raise questions about how social media can be used as safely as possible in a school environment,  security consideratio

Read more …

  1. Guardians of Privacy: 6. Posting Safely
  2. Guardians of Privacy: 5. Social Media and Consent
  3. Guardians of Privacy: 4. Social Media Access Control
  4. Guardians of Privacy: 3. Social Media Channels
  5. Guardians of Privacy: 2. Law and Regulations
  6. Guardians of Privacy: 1. Social media, privacy and children
  7. Latest ICO Reprimand. Mr. S. Claus, Chief Executive Officer, North Pole Enterprises
  8. Phishing attacks targeting schools - alert from City of London Police
  9. The Data Protection And Digital Information Bill (DPADI)
  10. The ICO reprimands a Multi Academy Trust
  11. KCSIE: Filtering, Monitoring and Privacy
  12. Guidance for the use of school email and applying email retention in schools
  13. CISA and UK NCSC Announce Joint Guidelines for Secure AI System Development
  14. Data Protection Tips for Early Years Settings
  15. Children's Privacy around the world is a puzzle
  16. Trust Initial Plan Checklist Update
  17. Update on Advisory for Rhysida Ransomware
  18. Records Management Best Practice Update
  19. Governors and Data Best Practice Area Update
  20. The Crime in a Cyber Attack and a Data Breach
  21. What do I need to redact?
  22. NCSC Annual Review is published for 2023
  23. Learning from Data Breaches
  24. Windows 11 security ineffective against attacks on old devices
  25. Trust Initial Plan for Data Protection Compliance (for Multi Academy Trusts)
  26. International Counter Ransomware Initiative 2023 Joint Statement
  27. Google for Education Resources: Helping IT Admins meet DfE digital and technology standards
  28. Resistant Cloud Backups
  29. Top Ten Cyber Security Misconfigurations
  30. Lettings Best Practice and Guidance
  31. ICO Reprimand: company suffered a ransomware attack
  32. The UK Online Safety Bill becomes an Act (Law)
  33. Considerations when migrating to a new MIS
  34. The importance of software updates (PaperCut vulnerability and Rhysida ransomware)
  35. Public bodies and sensitive data
  36. Adding offline bulk training using the Certificates function
  37. Ransomware, extortion and the cyber crime ecosystem
  38. Get a DPE Badge for your website!
  39. ICO: 10 Step guide to sharing information to safeguard children
  40. Schools under Cyber Attack: September 2023
  41. Cyber Resource: The Cyber Resilience Centre Group
  42. Email and Security: ICO recent guidance
  43. Help after a Cyber Attack/Incident
  44. Social Media Policy
  45. Data Protection and Cyber Security (Inset Day) Training Ideas
  46. Changes to Microsoft Free Licensing for Schools
  47. What to do in the event of a Cyber Attack
  48. Cyber Crime: AI Generated Phishing Attacks
  49. Handling Freedom of Information Requests the right way
  50. Cyber Attack: Exam Boards
  51. VICE SOCIETY - Ransomware attacks on schools
  52. Using Tags if you are a group of organisations in the DPE Knowledge Bank
  53. Where's Harry the Hacker?
  54. Be Cyber Aware: USB Sticks
  55. Cyber Insurance in the Public Sector
  56. Types of Cyber Attacks: DDos Attack (Microsoft DDoS Attack in June)
  57. Cyber Attack: Manchester University
  58. Cyber Attack: Leytonstone School
  59. The ICO Reprimands a school
  60. Be Cyber Aware: Firewalls
  61. Be Cyber Aware: Cyber attacks and transparency. A no blame culture
  62. Cyber Attack: Dorchester School
  63. Knowledge Bank Role Types: Admin, Staff and Trustee
  64. Types of Cyber Attacks: Password Attacks
  65. Be Cyber Aware: Why regular software updates are important
  66. Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2023
  67. Cyber Attack: Wiltshire School
  68. Keeping your IT systems safe and secure
  69. Types of Cyber Attacks: DDoS Attacks
  70. Types of Cyber Attacks: Phishing
  71. Types of Cyber Attacks: The Insider Threat
  72. Why your data is profitable to cyber criminals
  73. Using WhatsApp in Schools
  74. The Changes to Data Protection in the UK
  75. Knowledge Bank Updates
  76. Types of malware and how they are linked to data protection
  77. Striking Data Breach
  78. Windows Server 2012 & 2012 R2 Retirement
  79. How to contact us for support, subject access requests, data breaches and FOI's
  80. YouTube breached child protection laws
  81. How a school fought back after a cyberattack
  82. Types of Cyber Attacks - Credential Stuffing
  83. January Cyber update - How Can Schools Help Prevent Cyber Attacks?
  84. End of Windows 8.1 Support
  85. Assigning courses to staff using to-dos
  86. How the Record of Processing Can Help You
  87. Information Security Basics: What are VPN's?
  88. What does a Data Protection Officer Do?
  89. Are you ready for a Data Breach?
  90. Blog: Best Practice on the Retention of Child Protection Information
  91. Carrying out Supplier Due Diligence
  92. Email and retention periods
  93. How Long Should You Keep Personal Data For?
  94. The Education sector now at highest risk of cyber attacks
  95. How to Assess your Data Security
  96. Schools Blocked from Using Facial Recognition Systems
  97. Sharing this year’s Nativity play online
  98. The Children's Code
  99. B&H FoI: Racist/religious incidents/bullying
  100. Cyber Attacks
  101. Protocol for Setting Up and Delivery of Online Teaching and Learning
  102. Class Dojo International Data Sharing
  103. Model Publication Scheme: Amendments, Improvements and Updates
  104. Child friendly privacy notices
  105. Transparency
  106. Parents and students covertly recording conversations
  107. SAR? ER? FOI?
  108. Secure file transfer of files using Royal Mail
  109. Emergency contacts and consent
  110. Key elements of a successful DPIA
  111. FOI Publication Schemes
  112. SHARE: Avoid disinformation online
  113. Best Practice for Managing Photos and Video
  114. New Drip Feeds: Recognise and Respond to Subject Access Request
  115. When to contact the Data Protection Officer?
  116. National child measurement programme
  117. Make sure DPE is your registered DPO with the ICO
  118. Compliance Manager released
  119. Headteacher fined for breach of data protection legislation
  120. Emails – good practice and minimising the risk of a data breach

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