News

Young girl bursting through paper pointing to text saying 'Stealing children's data'. Data Protection Education image

In a Malwarebytes blog, author Mark Beare explains how your child's data can be stolen, and even more so if you have given medical  or health data.

Ai generated image of dark data on a laptop with orange text on the screen saying Data breach detected. Orange text on a blue background saying What is dark data and why does it matter?

🌑🗃️💻 Dark data is data that is unused but still might be stored somewhere in an organisation, usually kept in unstructured and unsecured repositories or storage.
Breaking news in blue text, cyber attack on south london school. AI generated image of school hall with lots of computers with padlocks on the screen

A high school in south London was closed for the first part of this term due to a ransomware attack.  Students were sent home advising parents that the school would be closed for three days while all staff devices were 'cleansed'.
Children at a laptop looking surprised, with computer code in the background. Data protection education logo on the laptop

Another school has been hit by a cyber attack, this time in Canvey Island, Essex, who say the cyber attack happened during the summer holidays.
Knowledge Bank update in blue text. data protection education logo. Orange and blue circles in the back ground. A phone and laptop with the knowledge Bank best practice area. Cyber security best practice in navy text on an orange circle

🛡️✅ Gone are the days when cyber security issues meant accidentally downloading a virus, it has grown to mean so much more, where data and identities are stolen, fraud is committed and businesses can be shut down from a cyber attack.  With that in mind we have created a cyber security best practice area to help guide and support your data protection compliance.
Knowledge Bank update in blue text. data protection education logo. Orange and blue circles in the back ground. A phone and laptop with the knowledge Bank best practice area. Schools and multi academy trusts best practice in navy text on an orange circle

We've put all the specific school and trust related data protection guides, documents and queries into one area to make it easier for you.

orange and blue circles. Computer screen with retention schedule update in navy text on an orange background. Knowledge Bank update in blue text. Data protection education logo.

We recognised that a number of our customers needed a generic retention schedule to help get them started with their records management.
Image generated by Microsoft copilot ai. Facial recognition on a student in a classroom. ICO reprimand in computer text. Data Protection Education logo

The ICO have issued a reprimand to a school that did not follow due diligence when introducing facial recognition technology (FRT).

Microsoft Copilot AI generated image of computers on a world with hackers by the side

The recent news has been full of the global IT outage that affected many systems over the weekend, including airlines and patient access.  Although the incident was not caused by a cyber attack, it is important to note that it was a cyber incident which affects everyone.

A cyber incident is an event with threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of information systems, networks or the information they contain.

Review our previous article:

Cyber incidents can be intentional or accidental and can cause major disruptions.  The recently reported CrowdStrike incident caused significant global disruption.  While there are huge impacts to the affected systems, for which there are now fixes available, there will be an aftermath of 'unrest' where threat actors will use people's vulnerability and concern to send phishing emails.

The NCSC has already reported an increased in phishing activity as opportunistic and malicious actors seek to take advantage of the situation.  The emails could be aimed at organisations or individuals.

The NCSC has released this guidance:

Organisations should review NCSC guidance to make sure that multi-layer phishing mitigations are in place, while individuals should be alert to suspicious emails or messages on this topic and know what to look for.

Their full report can be read here: NCSC Major IT Outage

We've made a short micro learning video for you to share with staff about how they might be affected by cyber incidents like this one:



View our other free micro learning videos!

Article images created using Microsoft Copilot AI.
Micro Learning video created using Vyond AI.

What to do in the event of a Cyber Attack 

Incidents or attacks where any security breaches may have taken place, or other damage was caused, should be reported to an external body. 

The SLT digital lead will be responsible for assigning someone to report any suspicious cyber incidents or attacks. This person will need to report this to: 

  • Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or the Report Fraud website 
  • the DfE sector cyber team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

You may also need to report to: 

You must act in accordance with: 

Police investigations may find out if any compromised data has been published or sold and identify the perpetrator. 

Preserving evidence is as important as recovering from the crime.

Forward suspicious emails to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Report SMS scams by forwarding the original message to 7726 (spells SPAM on the keypad).

Little Guide to ACTION FRAUD

Large recycling bin with devices in, man in orange hoodie standing next to it. Secure data destruction sign on bin. Data Protection Education logo in the top left of the screen

Ageing and out of date technology is an every day challenge for most schools and small businesses, but is there a risk?
Why data retention matters in black text. Blue blobby man. Data Protection Education logo.

We are asked a lot about retention schedules and keeping file when a pupil moves onto another school.  

This short video explains the basics behind data retention and the implications of keeping data for longer than required.



  Knowledge Bank
We have a retention schedule on our Knowledge Bank portal where you can check the retention period for all types of files in  your organisation.

Visit our Records Management Best Practice Library for more advice and policy templates.

Consider email data retention covered in this article:


Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like us to do a data retention workshop in your organisation.

Robot hands typing on a laptop with the Data Protection Education logo on it, blue background

We've been asked by some of our customers what they need to consider when thinking about using AI to improve job efficiency as a time saving exercise or part of CPD, so staff related.
This article puts together some available resources as an initial step.
  1. School Focus: The Vale Federation | Aylesbury
  2. DfE Dealing with Subject Access Requests (SARs) Guidance
  3. Update to the Guidance on Information Sharing from the DfE
  4. FOI Requests generated by Artificial Intelligence
  5. Social Media Best Practice Area
  6. Lettings Best Practice Area
  7. MFA Bombing - What is it?
  8. Protecting your Social Media Accounts
  9. Product Focus on Checklists : Initial Trust Plan
  10. Product Focus on Checklists : End of Term Checklist
  11. Product Focus on Checklists : Information and Cyber Security
  12. Product Focus on Checklists : Social Media
  13. Cyber Incident Review: The Benefits
  14. Product Focus on Checklists : Lettings
  15. Product Focus on Checklists : Record of Processing
  16. Milk Island: The secret location that allows children to view restricted content on Google Maps
  17. Why Data Should Stay Put: Benefits of Keeping Data in Its Original System
  18. Product Focus on Checklists : Data Retention and Destruction
  19. Product Focus on Checklists : Data Migration
  20. Product Focus on Checklists : Biometrics
  21. Product Focus on Checklists : Supplier Due Diligence
  22. Free Cyber help, advice and training with the Cyber Resilience Centres
  23. The Perils of Paper: The Printing Vulnerability
  24. Product Focus on Checklists : FOI
  25. Product Focus on Checklists : Governors and Data
  26. Product Focus on Checklists : DPIA
  27. Product Focus on Checklists : Site Moves
  28. Product Focus on Checklists : Data Breaches
  29. Product Focus on Checklists : Subject Access Requests
  30. Cyber attack on a University
  31. Product Focus on Checklists : Bring your own device
  32. Product Focus on Checklists : Working out of school/offsite
  33. Cyber Attack on a School
  34. Product Focus on Checklists : Redaction
  35. Major cyber-criminal gang Lockbit brought down by UK Law Enforcement
  36. Why Due Diligence is Important: Fake apps
  37. Product Focus on Checklists : CCTV
  38. Product Focus on Checklists : Clear desk
  39. Product Focus on Checklists : Commitment to compliance
  40. Product Focus on Checklists : Photos and video
  41. Product Focus on Checklists : Passwords
  42. Product Focus on Checklists : Information Classification
  43. Safer Internet Day 2024
  44. Kent Councils Data Breach
  45. Free cyber training for staff
  46. DfE Digital Standards Update
  47. The Mother of all Breaches
  48. ClassCharts Possible Data Breach
  49. Where is your data stored?
  50. IAPP looks at AI privacy risks
  51. If you suspect a financial scam .....
  52. Guardians of Privacy: 16. Social Media Checklist
  53. Guardians of Privacy: 15. Navigating Social Media in Educational Settings Summary
  54. Guardians of Privacy: 14. Social Media and Cyber Bullying
  55. Guardians of Privacy: 13. Social Media, Copyright and Intellectual Property
  56. Guardians of Privacy: 12. Social Media and Going Viral
  57. Guardians of Privacy: 11. Staff Social Media Accounts
  58. Guardians of Privacy: 10. Social Media and Cookies
  59. Guardians of Privacy: 9. Social Media and Morality
  60. New Resources for Schools from the ICO
  61. Guardians of Privacy: 8. Social Media Policies
  62. Guardians of Privacy: 7. Social Media Data Retention
  63. Guardians of Privacy: 6. Posting Safely
  64. Guardians of Privacy: 5. Social Media and Consent
  65. Guardians of Privacy: 4. Social Media Access Control
  66. Guardians of Privacy: 3. Social Media Channels
  67. Guardians of Privacy: 2. Law and Regulations
  68. Latest ICO Reprimand. Mr. S. Claus, Chief Executive Officer, North Pole Enterprises
  69. Phishing attacks targeting schools - alert from City of London Police
  70. The ICO reprimands a Multi Academy Trust
  71. Guidance for the use of school email and applying email retention in schools
  72. CISA and UK NCSC Announce Joint Guidelines for Secure AI System Development
  73. Data Protection Tips for Early Years Settings
  74. Children's Privacy around the world is a puzzle
  75. Trust Initial Plan Checklist Update
  76. Update on Advisory for Rhysida Ransomware
  77. Records Management Best Practice Update
  78. The Crime in a Cyber Attack and a Data Breach
  79. What do I need to redact?
  80. NCSC Annual Review is published for 2023
  81. Learning from Data Breaches
  82. Windows 11 security ineffective against attacks on old devices
  83. Trust Initial Plan for Data Protection Compliance (for Multi Academy Trusts)
  84. International Counter Ransomware Initiative 2023 Joint Statement
  85. Google for Education Resources: Helping IT Admins meet DfE digital and technology standards
  86. Top Ten Cyber Security Misconfigurations
  87. Lettings Best Practice and Guidance
  88. ICO Reprimand: company suffered a ransomware attack
  89. The UK Online Safety Bill becomes an Act (Law)
  90. Considerations when migrating to a new MIS
  91. The importance of software updates (PaperCut vulnerability and Rhysida ransomware)
  92. Public bodies and sensitive data
  93. Adding offline bulk training using the Certificates function
  94. Ransomware, extortion and the cyber crime ecosystem
  95. Get a DPE Badge for your website!
  96. ICO: 10 Step guide to sharing information to safeguard children
  97. Cyber Resource: The Cyber Resilience Centre Group
  98. Email and Security: ICO recent guidance
  99. Help after a Cyber Attack/Incident
  100. Social Media Policy
  101. Data Protection and Cyber Security (Inset Day) Training Ideas
  102. Changes to Microsoft Free Licensing for Schools
  103. What to do in the event of a Cyber Attack
  104. Cyber Crime: AI Generated Phishing Attacks
  105. Handling Freedom of Information Requests the right way
  106. Cyber Attack: Exam Boards
  107. VICE SOCIETY - Ransomware attacks on schools
  108. Using Tags if you are a group of organisations in the DPE Knowledge Bank
  109. Where's Harry the Hacker?
  110. Be Cyber Aware: USB Sticks
  111. Cyber Insurance in the Public Sector
  112. Types of Cyber Attacks: DDos Attack (Microsoft DDoS Attack in June)
  113. Cyber Attack: Leytonstone School
  114. The ICO Reprimands a school
  115. Be Cyber Aware: Firewalls
  116. Be Cyber Aware: Cyber attacks and transparency. A no blame culture
  117. Cyber Attack: Dorchester School
  118. Knowledge Bank Role Types: Admin, Staff and Trustee
  119. Types of Cyber Attacks: Password Attacks
  120. Be Cyber Aware: Why regular software updates are important
  121. Cyber Attack: Wiltshire School
  122. Keeping your IT systems safe and secure
  123. Types of Cyber Attacks: DDoS Attacks
  124. Types of Cyber Attacks: Phishing
  125. Types of Cyber Attacks: The Insider Threat
  126. Why your data is profitable to cyber criminals
  127. Using WhatsApp in Schools
  128. The Changes to Data Protection in the UK
  129. Knowledge Bank Updates
  130. Types of malware and how they are linked to data protection
  131. Striking Data Breach
  132. IPR Protection Email Scam
  133. Windows Server 2012 & 2012 R2 Retirement
  134. How to contact us for support, subject access requests, data breaches and FOI's
  135. YouTube breached child protection laws
  136. How a school fought back after a cyberattack
  137. Types of Cyber Attacks - Credential Stuffing
  138. January Cyber update - How Can Schools Help Prevent Cyber Attacks?
  139. Assigning courses to staff using to-dos
  140. How the Record of Processing Can Help You
  141. Information Security Basics: What are VPN's?
  142. What does a Data Protection Officer Do?
  143. Are you ready for a Data Breach?
  144. Carrying out Supplier Due Diligence
  145. How Long Should You Keep Personal Data For?
  146. The Education sector now at highest risk of cyber attacks
  147. How to Assess your Data Security
  148. Schools Blocked from Using Facial Recognition Systems
  149. The Children's Code
  150. B&H FoI: Racist/religious incidents/bullying
  151. Cyber Attacks
  152. Protocol for Setting Up and Delivery of Online Teaching and Learning
  153. Class Dojo International Data Sharing
  154. Model Publication Scheme: Amendments, Improvements and Updates
  155. Child friendly privacy notices
  156. Transparency
  157. Secure file transfer of files using Royal Mail
  158. Emergency contacts and consent
  159. Key elements of a successful DPIA
  160. FOI Publication Schemes
  161. SHARE: Avoid disinformation online
  162. Best Practice for Managing Photos and Video
  163. New Drip Feeds: Recognise and Respond to Subject Access Request
  164. When to contact the Data Protection Officer?
  165. National child measurement programme
  166. Compliance Manager released
  167. Headteacher fined for breach of data protection legislation
  168. Emails – good practice and minimising the risk of a data breach

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