Keeping IT safe

If your school has been unfortunate enough to have experienced a cyber attack, you are not alone. This year’s Government Cyber Security Breaches Survey reported 52% of primary schools and 71% of secondary schools having identified a breach or attack in the past year.  If any further evidence was required, the latest figures from the Information Commissioner’s Office show 347 cyber incidents were reported in the education and childcare sector in 2023 – an increase of 55% on 2022.

No wonder the DfE and National Cyber Security Centre are making free materials available to help advise and guide schools on practical steps to improving their security defences. When an attack occurs, the disruption and emotional stress caused to both students and teachers cannot be overstated. The sudden unplanned downtime, cancelled lessons, not to mention lunches, when systems are taken offline can quickly lead to chaos.

There is also the headache of how to make up for lost time after in school and remote learning programmes have been decimated and the considerable administrative burden involved when it comes to identifying exactly what data that may have been stolen or compromised. Furthermore, once hackers have a way in, it can be notoriously challenging to shake them loose.

So why should a school like yours be concerned?

After, all it’s not a big tech business or bank storing huge amounts of data such as credit card information, passwords and social security numbers. However, the rise in hacking of schools for financial gain is plain to see. According to the ICO, the type of cyber attack which has increased the most is ransomware. Such incidents increased by 170% between the end of 2022 and 2023. This is where hackers block access to a school’s computer records, including sensitive personal data, and demand money while threatening to publish them online. Phishing is another common approach where scam emails, text messages or phone calls are used to trick their victims. The aim is to make users visit a website, which may download a virus onto their computer, opening the door to stealing sensitive information.

Often these attacks are committed by organised criminal gangs based in foreign countries.

Here’s why your school could be their next target:

• You are the guardian of valuable data which can be sold on, including student and teacher names, even exam results

• You are seen as a much easier target compared to corporates with much larger budgets available to invest in sophisticated cyber protection systems

• You are constantly expanding your potential attack surface as part of ongoing digital transformation e.g. Internet and WiFi connectivity, bring your own devices (BYOD) for students, teachers and administrators

• You may have de-prioritised cybersecurity due to the pressure on maximising already stretched budgets for IT equipment and software

• You may lack the necessary training for implementing rigorous security practices

Prevention is better than cure

Investment in fit for purpose cyber security technology, along with training for staff and students, will deliver the protection your school needs.

This is why MLL has teamed up with leading cyber security providers Fortinet and Smoothwall to help schools achieve secure connectivity and compliance. We’ve got you covered, for all your connectivity and cyber protection needs including best of breed web content filtering, firewalls and training. Our UK-based team of experts are on hand 24 hours a day to help you.

How equipped is your school to defend against increasingly frequent and sophisticated cyber attacks?

Find out how MLL Schools Protect can give your students, teachers and administrators the cyber protection they really need.