Sichuan Unveils 'Ten Don'ts' to Safeguard Teacher and Student Cybersecurity

Sichuan's education authority has released a new "Ten Don'ts" advisory card focused on personal information protection for the province's education system, aimed at strengthening cybersecurity defenses for teachers and students.

The guidelines prohibit unauthorized collection of student family member data beyond necessary scopes, and forbid gathering sensitive personal information of minors without proper authorization. Additionally, the rules ban the sale, exchange, or provision of teacher and student personal data to third parties.

Schools and staff are instructed not to store important academic records, such as student enrollment files, on public cloud drives, unfamiliar devices, or unencrypted cloud services. Sharing campus network accounts or retaining login credentials on public computers is also discouraged to prevent unauthorized access.

Passwords for smart education platforms must not be simple, generic, or reused over long periods. The advisory warns against scanning unknown QR codes and downloading software from non-official sources, as these practices can expose users to malicious programs designed to steal sensitive information.

Individuals are urged to avoid clicking on unfamiliar emails, links, or surveys that could lead to the unlawful bulk collection of personal data. Sharing private details, such as student ID cards or academic transcripts, on social media platforms is explicitly prohibited. Furthermore, users must never disclose SMS verification codes, login passwords, or payment passwords.

Through these measures, Sichuan advocates for a principle-based approach to cyberspace governance, ensuring that the education system maintains a secure online environment that guides the ideological development of young people. The province emphasizes the need to consolidate responsibilities across all levels, combining human oversight with technological safeguards to build a resilient cybersecurity foundation for education.

Innovative educational campaigns are also being promoted to embed security awareness into everyday practice, helping teachers and students internalize safe online behavior. By encouraging standardized conduct and rejecting cyber misconduct, Sichuan aims to collaboratively foster a secure, civilized, and clear campus network space for all.