Tips for Ensuring Digital Security in Schools

Mon 19 November, 2018

In a recent blog, we looked at the ways in which you can tell if your IT network is healthy. One vital area is that of digital security. Online safety in schools has become one of the most important aspects of education, as it is vital that children, and their details, remain safe online.

Previously, we noted how e-safety could be encouraged in schools through educating teachers and children. In order to help this, we offer yearly seminars to constantly update you on how best to approach your digital security, led by a specialist from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation. Read more of our internet safety tips for schools.

Digital security does not begin and end at the school gate. We offer packages for parents on how to reinforce digital security, and emphasise to their children how best to ensure online safety in schools, and at home.

However, it is also important to secure your data to ensure online safety. identifies the need for educated children and teachers, but also emphasises ‘robust e-safety policies and procedures, IT infrastructure and support and regular reviewing of your e-safety provision’.

These policies, procedures, and infrastructure can boost online safety in schools through processes such as email encryption. As the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was rolled out earlier this year, there are new policies on managing data. It is important that your school protects students’ data and privacy. SoftEgg works closely with GDPR.co.uk in order to help ensure your school’s compliance.

Related article: What Are the GDPR Implications for Schools?

An important part of this protection requires regular and secure backups, in the event of data loss. Training staff to back up all data is vital in any business or company, and particularly so in the case of schools dealing with students’ personal data.

The NSPCC also recommends that your school should use a recognised Internet service provider, as well as monitoring and filtering content. Blocks are vital to prevent students from seeing anything upsetting or harmful, as well as monitoring any possible cyberbullying that could be taking place.

However, as our previous blog on e-safety noted, pupils who are given more freedom with technology at school become safer online as they learn to determine risks. These blocks should find a way to balance safety with freedom, so as to best ensure their future wellbeing.

Through methods such as these, Soft Egg hopes to provide you with the tools to best protect your students online, so technology can be used to its potential. For more information, please feel free to get in touch with us.