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.
Why Now? Windows 10 is approaching End of Life Microsoft will retire Windows 10 on 14 October 2025, ending free security and feature updates. The
Why should technology leaders care about energy legislation? The UK’s journey toward energy independence and net zero is now inseparable from the nation’s digital
In July 2025, the UK government unveiled a ground-breaking package of measures aimed at disrupting the ransomware economy and protecting vital services. These moves
For all businesses, agility and innovation are essential for staying competitive. But what happens when employees act faster than your IT policy can keep
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries by improving efficiency and decision-making. However, cybercriminals are also harnessing AI to create more sophisticated and targeted cyber
For many growing businesses, having access to board-level IT leadership can make the difference between simply maintaining systems and using technology as a driver
In sectors where client trust is everything legal, accountancy, financial services the cost of a cyber breach goes far beyond lost data. It strikes
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,
