IFS becomes first international school in Singapore to earn prestigious IMDA Data Protection Trustmark Certification
(Singapore) 11 September, 2024 – The International French School (Singapore) (IFS) has made history by becoming the first international school in Singapore to receive the prestigious Data Protection Trustmark (DPTM) Certification from the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). This recognition highlights the school’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of data protection and privacy for its students, staff, and the wider community.
The DPTM Certification is awarded to organisations that demonstrate robust data protection policies and practices, ensuring responsible handling of personal data. In an era marked by increasing concerns over data breaches, this certification serves as a vital marker of trust and accountability. For educational institutions like IFS, which handle sensitive personal data, the DPTM is particularly significant. It validates the school’s compliance with Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and underscores its proactive approach to safeguarding the privacy of its school community members.
Achieving the DPTM Certification involves a rigorous assessment process. Institutions must adhere to the PDPA obligations and industry best practices. This includes establishing clear data protection policies, assigning responsibilities for data management, implementing robust security measures, and fostering a culture of data protection through regular staff training. The International French School (Singapore) undertook a comprehensive review of its existing practices, identified areas for improvement, and implemented enhanced policies and security measures. This entire process culminated in the successful attainment of the DPTM.
The benefits of this certification are manifold. For students, parents, and staff, it instils 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, emphasised 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 recognises organisations that implement robust data protection practices to safeguard personal data and is a mark of excellence for organisations that are committed to enhancing privacy and security.”
Looking ahead, the International French School remains committed to enhancing its data protection practices. The school plans to implement advanced data encryption technologies and enhanced access controls to further secure its digital platforms. Additionally, regular data protection training sessions will continue for all staff members to ensure they remain well-versed in the latest privacy protocols.
This milestone not only reinforces IFS’s reputation as a leader in educational excellence but also positions it as a model for responsible data stewardship in the educational sector. As it celebrates this achievement, IFS is dedicated to setting new benchmarks for data security and privacy, ensuring that it remains a trusted institution for learning and growth.
About the Data Protection Trustmark (DPTM):
The Data Protection Trustmark (DPTM) Certification is a voluntary enterprise-wide certification developed by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) to help organisations demonstrate accountable and responsible data protection practices. Assessed by independent third parties, DPTM-certified organisations not only have to demonstrate good practices but also an effective system to monitor and detect incidents, along with ready plans to manage and recover from incidents. The DPTM certification framework and controls were developed based on adapting and aligning it with Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and incorporating elements of international benchmarks and best practices.
