A new government report says that more than a third (34%) of English schools and colleges were hit by cyberattacks in the previous academic year 2023/24.
Additionally, research by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) found that 20% of victims were unable to recover immediately after an incident. 4% took months to return to normal operations. 9% of headteachers admitted that their school had suffered a “very damaging” cyberattack in the last academic year.
As a result of these cyberattacks, teachers were unable to access computers and were unable to prepare lessons.
See also: Shielding young people in the digital world: Cybersecurity from school
According to the report, cyberattacks on English schools were mainly initiated by phishing (in 23% of attacks against schools and colleges).
The North West of England was the region that suffered the most attacks, with 40% of schools reporting having experienced a cyber incident.
In January 2023, an audit conducted by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the National Grid for Learning (LGfL) found that 78% of UK schools have experienced at least one type of cyberattack.
English schools must strengthen their security
The report found that one in three teachers had not received cybersecurity training in 2023/24. Of the two-thirds who did, 66% said that this training was useful.
See also: United Kingdom: School closed due to cyberattack
Amanda Swann has warned of the potential consequences of successful cyberattacks on English schools and colleges and urged these institutions to follow the NCSC's guidance to strengthen their protection.
Commenting on the findings, Suzan Sakarya said: “The lack of cybersecurity protection is no shock. Due to reduced budgets, schools do not have the means to upgrade devices or systems or to purchase more modern technology.”
“The education sector is increasingly vulnerable to attacks as more devices enter schools, more services move to the cloud , and more time is spent online. There is a dire need for security training and support for both staff and students.“.
How do cyberattacks affect education?
Cyberattacks can have a significant impact on education, disrupting the delivery of educational services and access to information. This can lead to disruption of teaching and learning, causing significant delays and problems in the educational process.
See also: Educational sector: Cyberattacks and ways to protect
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Additionally, cyberattacks on schools can lead to the loss or theft of sensitive data, such as student personal information or research data. This can have serious consequences, such as privacy violations and loss of trust in the education system.
Let’s not forget the financial damage that educational institutions suffer, as dealing with and recovering from an attack can be costly. The losses can result in a reduction in resources allocated to education and research.
Source: www.infosecurity-magazine.com
