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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

Data breach in orange text on a computer screen with computer text in blue

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.

Girl smilitng, children working, some children working on a laptop. Text says Meeting Digital Standards in Schools and Colleges

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?

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

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

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

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.  

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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