The Data (Use and Access) Act: What it Means for Schools and MATs

The Data (Use and Access) Act: What it Means for Schools and MATs

When will the Data Use and Access Bill become law?

The UK's data governance is undergoing change with the Data (Use and Access) Act (DUAA) receiving Royal Ascent and passing onto the statue books on 19th June 2025. Though it is becoming law, additional guidance is yet to emerge on the detail - some of the Act's provisions need a commencement order to take effect, with the next one expected on October 1, 2025. However, some parts of the Act will come into force imme

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Save the date 26.02.2026 Data Protection Education MAT conference. Orange and white text on a black background. Two blue padlocks with check marks

DPE MAT Conference 2026 - Announced!

📢📢 Our MAT Conference is coming in 2026...... Save the date!


More information can be found about our speakers and the venue, Woodland Grange, Leamington Spa here 👉

DPE MAT Conference 2026

Speakers from the ICO, DfE and the Chief Commissioner - Data and Marketing Commission.

And of course a DPE goody bag! 🛍️

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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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Image of a robot against a blackboard.  White background. Orange text: New. Blue text: DfE AI Guidance with video training

New DfE AI Guidance

🤖 📢  The DfE has issued some training and guidance about the use of AI in Education.  The guidance aims to help educators safely and effectively use AI to enhance the classroom experience and reduce teacher workload.

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photo of hands holding a shining padlock.  School's almost out for Summer in orange text on blue back ground. Cyber and data protection checklist. What's your plan for when you're not there in black text. Data Protection office by Data protection education logo

Holiday Cheer or Cyber Fear? : Essential Pre-holiday Checks

😎☀️ Did you know there is an increase in cyber attacks on a long weekend, half term and end of term, so a period of heightened cyber risk.  This article gives some advice about what you need to have in place - it's particularly important that you are able to monitor your network during the long Summer break.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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