Educational leaders in the North East have warned that cyber resilience should be seen as a safeguarding priority, not just an IT concern.
Ahead of a dedicated conference on the issue, schools are being encouraged to recognise cyber security as a core part of governance and child protection in an increasingly digital environment.
The School Cyber Safety and Standards Conference will take place on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the Sjøvoll Centre in Framwellgate School Durham, and is jointly organised by the school and Digital Safety CIC.
Barbara Spooner MBE, chief executive of Digital Safety CIC, said: "The challenge for schools is not simply understanding that cyber risks exist, but making sure that organisations have the awareness, leadership and practical arrangements needed to manage those risks.
"Bringing education leaders and experts together provides an opportunity to share experience, strengthen understanding and help schools prepare for what lies ahead.
"Above all, this is about safeguarding children – ensuring that the digital systems they rely on every day are safe, secure and resilient."
The event will bring together headteachers and school leaders, governors and trustees, IT and network managers, safeguarding leads, local authority education leaders and other education stakeholders, alongside subject matter experts from the North East and nationally.
The conference comes at a time when schools face an increasingly complex set of responsibilities around technology, information and safeguarding.
Wendy Pattison, interim chief operating officer at Framwellgate School, said: "Cyber resilience has to be part of the way schools are led and governed.
"Technology is central to how schools operate, and the responsibility to protect pupils, staff, information and the organisation itself cannot sit with IT teams alone.
"Safeguarding children now includes safeguarding the digital infrastructure that supports their learning, wellbeing and safety."
A key focus of the event will be the Department for Education Digital and Technology Standards 2030.
The conference will look at what the standards mean for schools and academies and how leaders can begin preparing their organisations to meet them, with particular attention to how the standards reinforce safeguarding responsibilities and require schools to protect children through secure, well‑managed digital systems.
The conference will feature practical sessions aimed at helping schools strengthen their cyber resilience before incidents occur.
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Registration costs £55 and includes coffee and pastries on arrival, a networking lunch, a resource pack, and a free cyber safety audit worth £250.
Places are limited, and early booking is advised.
For further information or assistance with registration, contact Digital Safety CIC at info@ds-cic.com.
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