Derek Devine
Director, International Market Growth, Clever
A student’s digital identity — their secure access to apps, files and data — isn’t just an IT problem; it’s a learning and security crisis.
In the UK, 60% of secondary schools and 44% of primary schools identified a breach or attack in the past 12 months.1 A single stolen student record can fetch up to £200+ on the dark web. Schools need a unified identity foundation that ensures secure, easy access to learning and prevents identity theft that can follow a student for life. Unified identity is one of the first steps to meeting the DfE’s six core digital technology standards by 2030.2
The problem: when security traps learning
Multifactor authentication (MFA) is the first line of defense, and the Government’s guidance makes it non-negotiable.3 Yet, most solutions fail in the classroom. Why? Most MFA options rely on personal mobile phones — a technology often banned or impractical in classrooms. This forces a terrible choice: a secure system that disrupts learning, or an accessible one that invites risk.
The risks are significant. IT Director Roger Nixon starkly illustrates the reality: “One school had printed usernames and passwords stuck into student planners… Unfortunately, that’s more the norm than the exception.”
Classroom MFA does not just meet this challenge; it redefines classroom security with a second layer of protection without requiring a personal device. It uses student-friendly methods like Badges (physical, encrypted QR codes for instant, passwordless access), login pictures and 6-digit PINs. This classroom-friendly solution allows schools to set distinct MFA policies based on age and ability. For large trusts, this is essential: “We can tailor the logon journey for every year group,” says Andrew Edmondson from Co-Op Academies Trust.
Schools need a unified identity foundation that ensures secure, easy access to learning and prevents identity theft that can follow a student for life.
Automate security, accelerate learning
Fragmented edtech creates two critical resource drains: manual data tasks for IT and lost learning time. Our goal is simple: automate security, accelerate learning.
We eliminate manual tasks by automating the account and access lifecycle for over 1,000+ apps (including Google, Active Directory and Entra ID). This frees IT teams for strategic work by minimising PII sharing and eliminating manual data transfers.
We also reclaim lost learning time. Students can lose up to 20 minutes of a lesson struggling to log in.4,5 The Clever SSO portal, paired with Badges, ensures students can log in safely and instantly. A unified identity platform from Clever proves that schools never have to choose between best-in-class security and effortless, equitable access.
[1] Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, & Home Office. (2025). Cyber security breaches survey 2025: education institutions findings. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2025/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2025-education-institutions-findings
[2] iCT4. (2025). Meeting the core digital Standards by 2030. https://ict4.co.uk/blog/meeting-DfE-standards
[3] Department for Education. (2025). Narrowing the digital divide in schools and colleges. GOV.UK
[4] Browner, E. (2023). Badges: how teachers saved 200k hours in a school year. Clever. https://www.clever.com/blog/2023/08/badges-how-teachers-saved-100k-hours-in-a-school-year
[5] Whitney, C. (2025). 20 Minutes Back: How one Australian school uses Clever to save teaching time and boost security. Clever. https://www.clever.com/blog/2025/10/australia-badges
