Safeguarding children in the digital age is an evolving landscape, with software platforms being transformative in many ways in terms of best practice and processes.
While digitalisation has many clear advantages, it also brings with it some potential risks. Increasingly, confidential data management is becoming more important than ever to safeguard children, and managing data properly is a key part of ensuring sensitive information is protected correctly. So, what are the essential things to consider when exploring a secure digital safeguarding solution?
Overcoming Challenges in Online Data Management
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has provided guidance regarding the sharing information in order to safeguard children and young people. The guidance advises that it can be more harmful not to share information that is needed to protect a child or young person. However, it is also crucial to ensure that such data is stored and shared appropriately to protect all those involved.
The emphasis on secure and confidential data management is important to properly safeguard individuals and organisations, particularly with the rapid growth of data online and the development of digital platforms.
Navigating data protection regulations can be complex, particularly for the purposes of safeguarding where sensitive information is involved. It is essential to ensure that not only do the practitioners in your setting understand the requirements when it comes to sharing data, but every software platform that handles your sensitive data adheres to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rules.
Key Features to Look for in a Digital Safeguarding System
Given some of the potential pitfalls you can face when using a digital safeguarding platform, it’s important to ensure that the systems used in your setting are designed to address challenges in online data management and safeguarding. That includes keeping data secure and confidential with secure access controls to ensure only the right people can access the data that they need to see.
Safeguarding solutions which identify patterns in behaviour and raise alerts must also be fine-tuned to minimise any errors. Without a robust system in place and reliance on paper-based processes, the potential for mistaken identity or gaps in information can create significant safety concerns.
Navigating GDPR requirements and data security can be challenging for any school or organisation. However, there are a number of best practice standards and certifications to look out for when determining the suitability of a platform to handle your sensitive data:
- ISO 27001 – provides assurance to customers that data is managed with robust, standardised controls in keeping with an internationally recognised information security framework.
- GDPR Compliance – Key points to look for in a privacy policy include that only essential data is collected for its intended purpose, data is securely deleted upon request and that personal data is never sold or shared without explicit consent.
- AES-256 Data Encryption – The ICO advises that this international standard of data encryption ensures that no known practical ‘brute force’ attack can gain access to secure data.
- Cyber Essentials Certification – The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has established industry-recognised standards to demonstrate the ability of an organisation to defend against common cyber threats.
You can access all the information you need on how CPOMS provides data security here, including our ISO 27001 certification, data privacy and regulatory compliance, AES-256 encryption, and much more.
A Multifaceted Approach to Safeguarding Children in the Digital Age
Digitally secure systems like CPOMS StudentSafe reduce the potential for vulnerabilities by helping ensure ease of use and accessibility. Moreover, by offering fully customisable permissions and access with detailed user provisioning, the solution enables all staff to report low-level concerns, while allowing only the appropriate, authorised staff with full access to sensitive information, maintaining confidentiality and data privacy.
StudentSafe is designed to address the issue of privacy in digital safeguarding systems by creating a secure, centralised system that gives you all the benefits of digital systems, while protecting sensitive information. With features such as anonymised data and privacy modes, authorised staff can protect sensitive information from slipping through the gaps by redacting names and other identifiable details from reports, in addition to preventing student records from appearing on screen so they cannot be seen by onlookers.
Sharing information is also a crucial aspect of safeguarding, however it can be a complex and time-consuming process for settings that are not equipped with fully integrated safeguarding systems. CPOMS Engage addresses this challenge by bridging the gap between education settings and other agencies at the local authority, allowing welfare information to be shared securely through an automated CPOMS Share Contract. Local authorities can also provide vital information received from the police, such as reports of domestic abuse, to schools, APs and other settings, providing staff with a more holistic approach to safeguarding children and putting them in a position to make informed, data-driven decisions in the best interest of the pupil
This integrated approach streamlines the safeguarding process and also helps ensure that vital information is securely shared with all appropriate parties in one centralised system.
Implementing Secure Digital Safeguarding Solutions
There are many factors to take into consideration when looking for an effective digital safeguarding platform. An effective platform must balance data protection with a system that has a user-friendly interface, is highly intuitive and is accessible to all relevant parties involved in a safeguarding network.
Secure and responsible data management must be a top priority in all safeguarding efforts. In doing so, safeguarding platforms become tools of empowerment for individuals and authorities to make informed decisions in the pursuit of protecting those who depend on their care.
For more information about how CPOMS solutions can help with safeguarding children in the digital age while maintaining privacy and GDPR compliance, request a demo today.
