A digital forensics and cybersecurity consultancy is offering fully funded digital safeguarding support to schools and care settings across Staffordshire.
Stoke-on-Trent-based SYTECH has launched the initiative to help schools, nurseries and care homes strengthen their cyber resilience and online safeguarding practices.
The programme includes a digital safeguarding and online wellbeing training session alongside a comprehensive digital vulnerability health check, both provided at no cost to participating organisations.
The training is aimed at leaders, designated safeguarding leads, teachers or full staff teams, providing practical guidance to help them manage digital risks more confidently. It covers current online threats affecting children and young people and offers clear steps to improve everyday safeguarding practices and digital wellbeing.
As part of the scheme, each organisation will also receive a ‘non-intrusive’ review of its digital environment, designed to identify potential risks before they lead to problems such as identity fraud, data misuse, safeguarding breaches or reputational damage.
The assessment examines areas such as network and device security, exposure to cyber threats, outdated systems that could be exploited, online behaviour risks and possible gaps in policies, safeguarding processes or staff awareness.
Participating settings will then receive practical recommendations on how to strengthen their protection.
Mark Berrisford, head of commercial development at SYTECH, said: “Schools, nurseries and care settings are increasingly targeted by cyber incidents, data breaches and online safety risks. Unfortunately, these threats often remain undetected for extended periods, allowing sensitive personal information to be accessed, harvested or misused before organisations are aware of the problem.
“At SYTECH, we see the real-world impact of these risks daily. With over 40 years of experience in digital forensics, cybersecurity and safeguarding support, and work spanning all 43 UK police forces alongside multiple government agencies, our expertise allows us to provide evidence-based guidance tailored to the challenges faced by education and care settings.”
SYTECH, which was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Hanley, specialises in forensic investigation services including digital device analysis, telecommunications, data recovery and incident response, alongside cyber security consultancy and testing services.
Schools, nurseries and care homes interested in securing one of the 30 fully funded places can contact Mark.Berrisford@sytech-consultants.com for further information.
