Early years settings are increasingly relying on technology to operate and are therefore an appealing target for cyber criminals due to the sensitive information they hold and payments they handle.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published its bespoke guidance for early years education and childcare settings, offering practitioners top tips on how to protect their devices and data from cyber incidents.
The guidance, which has been produced in consultation with stakeholders, covers topics including setting up strong passwords on devices and accounts, how to communicate with families safely and dealing with suspicious messages.
Minister Vicky Ford said:
“It is paramount that early years settings have robust cyber security in place to help them communicate with children, families and staff delivering early education and childcare provision safely.
“Like most professions, the early years sector is increasingly reliant on technology and this new guidance will support them with protecting sensitive data and minimising the risk and detriments of a cyber security incident.
“Education settings are directly responsible for their own security and data protection so I encourage all early years providers to take steps to improve their resilience online.”