February 2017School IT Actions

Issue / Reason / Action / Additional Information / Responsibility / Deadline / Completed
NEW
GDPR – new Data Protection Regulations from 25th May 2018 / Data Protection laws will change in May 2018. / Select a senior leader to take repsonsiblility for Data Protection. Attend meetings to renew ideas about Data Protection and to update schools privacy notices and other processes and procedures. / Courses will be run through SCIL from Summer 2017 – will be advertised. / Headteacher and designated Senior Leader. Co-ordination needed with technical support / 25th May 2018 – although will be a transition period.
NEW
Advice on dealing with Ransomware / A number of schools have reported that they have been hit with malware that has encrypted their files and demanded payment to unencrypt. / Read documentation to support staff and SLT in raising awareness and updating knowledge / Staff guidance:
Key Notes for SLT: / All staff / Ongoing
UPDATE
Minimum: Office 2010 Service Pack 2 / To ensure that Office 365 works properly / Installed as a minimum
(Office 2010 supported for use with SIMS up to and including Summer 2017 upgrade) /
The SP2 files can be found on the S:\ drive of school servers with explanatory pdf / Technicians / As soon as possible
UPDATE
Statutory Information on public website / Ofsted scrutinising statutory information included on website and picking up on missing or incorrect documentation/data. / Thorough check on website to make sure that it agrees with checklist shown in next box and that information is reviewed and updated. / Guide:
Checklist: / Administrative staff or those responsible for upkeep of website / Ongoing
Change in broadband connectivity / The Somernet WAN will be terminating throughout 2017. With support from eLIM, Schools and Academies will be able to move to individual contracts which will provide better flexibility using improved technologies. / Attend meetings, keep up to date with communications or invite eLIM into school to gain ‘big picture’. eLIM will provide support throughout the process and help you to start looking at opportunities and possibilities for new connections. Schools will be contacted with disconnection dates. If schools wish to move before that you must still give 90 working days notice to / Schools will have 6-8 months’ notice of disconnection dates which will start in April 2017.
As from April 2017 maintained schools will receive connectivity funds directly into their budgets as do Academies currently. Any increase in costs will be funded until the actual end of contract date. / Senior Leadership Team / Various – but full end date Jan 2018
Significant infrastructure changes (eg new builds, changing servers and network or WAN connection) / There are still some services accessed only via the WAN. A quick double check with eLIM will help you make a smooth transition. / Any significant changes to technology in the school can be checked with eLIM who can offer advice for any aspects you may not have yet considered, including technical advice on new builds and refurbs. / Technicians / Ongoing
Anti-Virus installed on all machines / To help protect against viruses and security risks / Ensure that all machines have up to date antivirus software installed / Even machines not connected to your network should have AV installed to ensure security.
Anti Virus Software School Guide June 2016 / IT support company or in house technician / Ongoing – with annual check
Safe Harborhas been replaced by US/EU Privacy shield / The old agreement ‘Safe Harbor’ has now been replaced by another agreement called the US/EU privacy shield / Examine services and apps that store personal information, look at the terms and conditions and make sure they have or intend to sign up the the US/EU Privacy Shield / Search here for services - / Date to be advised
Correct email addresses (staff and governors) / Having incorrect email addresses or accounts and inclusion on distribution lists could lead to breaches of Data Protection Act / Ensure the helpdesk disable accounts for your staff that are leaving.
If you have your own provision make sure that account lists are up to date / Administrative staff and/or technicians / Ongoing
Windows (and Office) Updates / Install Windows (and Office) Updates regularly to ensure that you are protected from security issues / Ensure that Windows (and Office) Updates are regularly installed on a schedule, including both workstations and servers / Leaving Windows (and Office) unpatched can leave you open to security vulnerabilities / Technicians / Ongoing
Review new product compatibility before installation / Some software you might use may not work with new versions of Windows and / or Office / Before installing new versions of Windows and / or Office be sure that applications you use (e.g. SIMS) support the new versions / Windows and Office version compatibility with SIMS can be checked at:
/ Technicians / Ongoing

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