Protecting sensitive data, particularly child and parent data, has always been important for schools. Under the Data Protection Act 1998, educational institutions have a legal obligation to protect personal and sensitive information about their pupils, students and staff members.
Schools and other educational institutions need to be able to protect information effectively and transparently to the end user. The Information Commissioner's Office recommends that sensitive information held on desktop and laptop computers should be encrypted, as well as data that is held and transported on CDs/DVDs and USB devices, and data that is accessed from outside via VPN or other secure network link. Desktops and laptops also need to be protected from the introduction of viruses and other malware that can accidentally infect the network through the use of unmanaged USB devices, such as those brought in from home.
Whole Disk Encryption – (or Full Disk Encryption) is the method recommended by BECTA for protecting data held on desktop and laptop PCs. By encrypting the entire computer, the user does not need to think about what files should be encrypted because it happens automatically in the background.
Secure Remote Access – For people that need to be able to work from home occasionally, devices are available that can provide secure remote access to the school network from a home or other unmanaged computer.
Port control – also known as end point security, manages the devices that are attached to the network, like USB sticks or other USB drivers. This enables the school to stipulate that only approved USB devices can be plugged into its desktops and laptops, and to monitor what data is downloaded to those devices. This protects the computer and the network from contamination, it also guards against data leakage.
File encryption - Where data needs to be shared with authorised third parties, like Local Authorities, police and social services, data saved to a CD or DVD needs to be encrypted and password protected to comply with the Government’s Data Handling guidelines.
To get you up and running with a bundle of comprehensive security products that will help you to meet the Data Handling guidelines Becrypt has put together a starter pack especially designed for schools. Click here to find out more or call us at 0845 838 2080.