Best Practice

Cyber-security alert: How can schools protect themselves?

Handheld devices School management Infrastructure E-safety Whole-school issues Edtech
The Cybersecurity Schools Audit has urged on-going vigilance in schools against cyber-attacks, especially those using malware, phishing or spoofing techniques. Expert Mike Wills considers how schools must protect themselves


Last week’s Cybersecurity Schools Audit suggests that almost four in five schools fell victim to at least one type of cyber-incident in 2022 and one in five were left without access to important and sensitive information about pupils or staff.

Published by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), it warns that schools remain at a high risk from cyber-criminal attacks and vigilance is “essential”.

The risks are clear. Highly confidential documents – including SEN information, child passport scans, staff pay scales and contract details – from 14 schools were recently leaked onto the dark web by hackers – a group known as the Vice Society. It is just the latest in a string of attacks in education in the last three years.

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