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A blue graphic with three children peering over a dark blue banner. The banner has white text that reads "Back to School Basics: Data Protection & Cyber Security." To the left of the text is a stack of school books with a red apple on top. To the right is a laptop displaying a logo with the text "Data Protection Education."
Best Practice Updates

As schools begin to welcome back students, staff and new joiners, the focus is on the new academic year: curriculum planning, safeguarding and operational logistics.  An equally critical and statutory area that demands attention is data protection and cyber security compliance.  Adhering to data protection law isn't just about avoiding fines; it's about protecting sensitive personal data of children, their families and staff.

A stylized image of a panda wearing a dark suit and tie, standing in a bamboo forest. The background is a mix of digital circuit patterns and glowing lights. At the bottom, a graphic overlay with the text, "IS THERE A 'MURKY PANDA' ON THE TIMETABLE? THE LATEST CYBER THREAT." The logo for "D NEWS" is in the bottom right corner.
Information/Cyber Security

The Murky Panda (also known as Silk Typhoon) is a cyber threat that has had significant activity since 2023 and has targeted government, technology, academic, legal and professional services. Currently there are reports of the threats only in North America, however, as the Murky Panda has previously targeted compromises in the cloud, it is assumed that they will easily transition to attacks further afield. The threat group is a China-nexus group motivated by intelligence collection.

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.
Best Practice Updates

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.

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
Best Practice Updates

🚫🔒 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.

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

General news

Information/Cyber Security

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Best Practice Updates

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