UK Schools Facing Surge in Crippling Cyber Attacks

Cyber War on Schools

Officials have issued a warning that more than a third of schools in England have been targeted by devastating cyber attacks in the past year. The attacks, often orchestrated by Russian-speaking ransomware groups, have left education authorities scrambling to safeguard students.

Education Sector Under Fire

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has identified the education sector as one of the most vulnerable parts of the public sector when it comes to cyber threats. NCSC Deputy Director Sarah Lyons highlighted the serious consequences these attacks can have on students' learning and the risk they pose to sensitive information.

Targeting Weak Defenses

Experts at cyber firm Sophos have revealed that schools are being targeted due to their perceived vulnerability, with hackers exploiting weak cyber defenses, outdated systems, and limited budgets. The average ransom demand for schools now stands at £5.1 million, with recovery costs reaching nearly £3 million.

Devastating Effects

Last year, an attack by the Rhysida ransomware gang took down ten schools in Lancashire, causing significant disruption to the Fylde Coast Academy Trust. Trust CEO Dean Logan described the aftermath as going back to "chalk and talk" and investing approximately £300,000 in resilience measures.

Call for Action

While the Department for Education has assured its commitment to addressing cyber security concerns in schools, unions are calling for more proactive measures. James Bowen of the school leaders' union NAHT emphasized the need for additional funded training to help staff identify and respond to evolving cyber risks.