In our years as senior police officers, we learned that the biggest security risks aren’t usually high-tech hackers—they are simple human errors. In a school environment, where staff are managing hundreds of emails a day, a “mis-sent” attachment is the most common cause of an ICO report.

Here are five “police-grade” habits for your staffroom:

• The “5-Second Pause”: Always double-check the ‘To’ field. Outlook’s autocomplete can be your worst enemy.
• BCC is Your Best Friend: When emailing a group of parents, never put addresses in the ‘CC’ field.
• Password Protocol: Never share logins for registers or safeguarding software.
• Clear Desk, Clear Mind: Ensure sensitive physical files (like SEN reports) are locked away before leaving for the day.
• Verify the Caller: If someone calls asking for pupil data, use a “call-back” procedure to verify their identity.

Managing the data of thousands of children is a huge responsibility. Global Policing provides the training and oversight to ensure these habits become second nature in your school.