DOBCEL has now been awarded Safer Technologies 4 Schools (ST4S) certification recognising the high-level of safety and security standard of its SIMON platform.

‘The security of data across all 58 of our DOBCEL schools and offices is a very high priority particularly against the backdrop of the increasing number of data hacking and theft incidents occurring,’ Executive Director Tom Sexton said.

‘While we can never absolutely guarantee data security, this ST4S certification for our SIMON community is a rigorous process, and we are proud that it has met and exceeded the requirements.’

The ST4S program is a national initiative developed to enhance the security, privacy, interoperability, and online safety of software applications and services commonly used by Australian and New Zealand schools.

Its goals and standards are shared by all Australian and New Zealand education jurisdictions – including state, territory, Catholic and independent school sectors – for the benefit of the whole education community.

The certification recognises a standardised approach to evaluating the safety and security of digital products and services against a nationally consistent security and privacy control framework.

‘We congratulate and thank our IT services teams at both our schools and Catholic Education Ballarat office for their ongoing work and expertise in achieving this certification,’ Mr Sexton said.