Cyber-attacks on UK schools have increased in the last year
The cyber-attacks have disrupted many aspects of students’ school life. The disruption includes cancelled lessons and long lunchtime queues.
According to a BBC report, “New figures from the Information Commissioner’s Office, external (ICO) show 347 cyber incidents were reported in the education and childcare sector in 2023 – an increase of 55% on 2022.”
Government data suggests “most schools and colleges have identified a cyber-security breach in the past year.”
You can read the full BBC report here
How were the hacks detected?
Brockington College, based in Leicester, first noticed the breach of its systems when computer cursors started “moving remotely across their screen, with files already open on the computers, when they first logged on at the start of the school day.”
Embrace Multi-Academy Trust (who manages Brockington College), CEO Sharon Mullins said: “The whole thing feels very sinister.”
When the attack was discovered, all nine schools at the trust were ordered to take all their systems down.
“You’re basically telling every teacher across the trust that whatever they had planned that day, they can no longer teach with immediate effect.”
What has been the Government’s response?
A DfE spokesperson said the government was increasing school funding to “the highest level ever in real terms per pupil, to support school leaders to meet their costs”. An ICO spokesperson said their data suggests that cyber threats are increasing year on year but said they had “a wealth of free advice and resources” available to support schools with keeping their systems secure.
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, relying solely on reactive IT support can hinder your organisation’s growth and resilience. Without a strategic IT roadmap,
How 4th Platform (Powered by Gamma) keeps your business ahead with Cloud Communications. The UK’s analogue phone network is being switched off in 2027, and
Why getting your cloud setup right the first time matters more than you think. Cloud services have revolutionised how modern businesses operate offering flexibility,
Despite increased awareness of cyber threats across the legal sector, law firms continue to be prime targets for cybercriminals. These attacks are no longer
In today’s fast-paced business environment, technology is the backbone of productivity. When IT systems run smoothly, employees can focus on their tasks without unnecessary
When we think about cybersecurity threats, external hackers and cybercriminals often come to mind. However, some of the most significant risks come from within
In an era where financial fraud is on the rise, UK businesses are increasingly finding themselves targeted by cybercriminals deploying sophisticated scams. The financial
The UK government is ramping up efforts to strengthen national cyber defences with the introduction of the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill. This legislation
In the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, AI is no longer just a tool for defense—it’s now being weaponised by cybercriminals to launch more sophisticated
The rapid pace of digital transformation has made it increasingly challenging for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to keep up with evolving technology needs.
