All schools are required to have a strong IT infrastructure in place to safeguard the school network and the safety of students. School Network Managers and IT departments have a responsibility to add layers of protection that are key to building a safe environment. Here we discuss the four key digital technology layers to help support you!
Digital Safety Requirement 1: Firewall & Anti-Virus
For comprehensive security in schools, both a firewall and antivirus are used to address different aspects of protection.
The firewall acts as a first line of defence that inspects and checks data based on a set of security rules defined by the school, protecting the network from harmful cyber-attacks or breaches.
Antivirus software scans for and removes harmful programs like malware, it is also designed to inspect files and software running on a host or server. Carrying out a cyber risk assessment annually with regular reviews is recommended.
Digital Safety Requirement 2: Filtering
Filtering is preventative. It refers to solutions that protect users from accessing illegal, inappropriate and potentially harmful content online. It does this by identifying and blocking specific web links and web content in the form of text, images, audio and video.
Filtering should not impact learning or restrict students from learning.
You can find out more about appropriate Filtering requirements and providers by visiting the UK Safer Internet Centre.
Details for SurfProtect® and Exa solutions can be found here:
https://exa.net.uk/content-filtering-surfprotect/
Digital Safety Requirement 3: Digital Monitoring
Monitoring is reactive. It refers to solutions that monitor what users are doing on devices. Monitoring solutions do not block users from seeing or doing anything, but student behaviour and inappropriate activity is captured to alert DSLs to detected risks to wellbeing or harms taking place.
Securus falls into this category. The Securus suite of monitoring solutions monitors activity across all devices, applications and platforms and detailed screenshot evidence and capture information is sent to school safeguarding leads when an incident of concern is detected, including the severity and category based on a Library of 25 Topics of Concern.
Securus integrates with CPOMS and MyConcern reporting management software and we work closely with our Partners to provide schools with the full range of digital technology solutions that are needed.
The DfE has provided a guidance – Meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges
You can find out more about appropriate Monitoring requirements by visiting the UK Safer Internet Centre.
Digital Safety Requirement 4: Record management
Record Management safeguarding software provides a safe and secure system to record and review all safeguarding concerns in one place. The system enables schools to record any safeguarding concern, safe in the knowledge that a proper record has been made and easily accessible.
CPOMS and MyConcern are two record management solutions that integrate with Securus monitoring solutions and are widely used in education settings.
For more information on Record Management Solutions:
Having robust technologies in place provides schools, colleges and Multi Academy Trust Groups with the ability to demonstrate to Ofsted that digital safety is taken seriously, KCSiE guidance, the ISI framework and the Prevent duty are adhered to and students are safe whilst in their education setting.
For more information on Securus Digital Monitoring Solutions contact our Team who can provide information on our school-managed monitoring or the Full Monitoring Service (FMS) and how our software aligns with the key technologies discussed in this article.
Contact us here or call 0330 124 1750