The International French School (Singapore) (IFS) has made history as the first international school in Singapore to earn the esteemed Data Protection Trustmark (DPTM) Certification from the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). This accolade underscores the school's dedication to upholding the highest standards of data protection and privacy for its students, staff, and the broader community.
The DPTM Certification is granted to organizations that exhibit strong data protection policies and practices, ensuring the responsible management of personal data. In a time when concerns about data breaches are growing, this certification is a crucial symbol of trust and accountability. For educational institutions such as IFS, which manage sensitive personal information, the DPTM is especially important. It confirms the school's adherence to Singapore's Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and highlights its proactive efforts to protect the privacy of its community members.
Obtaining the DPTM Certification requires a thorough assessment process. Organizations must comply with PDPA requirements and industry best practices, which involve creating clear data protection policies, designating data management responsibilities, deploying strong security measures, and promoting a culture of data protection through ongoing staff training. The International French School (Singapore) conducted an extensive review of its current practices, pinpointed areas needing enhancement, and implemented upgraded policies and security measures. This comprehensive effort led to the successful achievement of the DPTM Certification.
The benefits of this certification are manifold. For students, parents, and staff, it instills confidence that IFS has strong safeguards in place for personal data protection, fostering a safe learning environment. The certification also serves as external validation of the school's comprehensive data protection practices, acknowledging its commitment to advanced security measures.
Ludovic Mathe, President of the Executive Committee at IFS, expressed the significance of this achievement, stating, "The Data Protection Trustmark Certification is a significant milestone for our school, and as a parent representative, it greatly enhances our confidence in how personal data is managed and protected. This certification assures us that IFS is committed to academic excellence and maintaining the highest standards of data security. We, as parents, can rest assured that our children's personal information is in safe hands, and we fully support the school's ongoing efforts to stay at the forefront of data protection”.
David Binan, Principal of IFS, emphasized the importance of this certification in today's digital landscape. "We are incredibly proud to have been awarded the DPTM Certification, reflecting our commitment to safeguarding personal data. This achievement showcases the dedication of our entire team to uphold the highest standards of privacy and security".
Denise Wong, Assistant Chief Executive, Data Innovation and Protection Group (DIPG), IMDA, congratulated IFS on this achievement. “I would like to congratulate IFS for becoming the first international school in Singapore to obtain the DPTM certification, demonstrating their commitment to building trust with their students, staff, and wider community. The DPTM certification recognizes organizations that implement robust data protection practices to safeguard personal data and is a mark of excellence for organizations that are committed to enhancing privacy and security”.
Moving forward, the International French School is dedicated to further improving its data protection practices. The school intends to adopt advanced data encryption technologies and strengthen access controls to enhance the security of its digital platforms. Additionally, it will maintain regular data protection training sessions for all staff members to ensure they stay up-to-date with the latest privacy protocols.
