Cyber attacks cause suspension of school studies.

May 15th — Cyberattacks are disrupting schools and causing a lot of problems. They have resulted in canceled classes, restricted learning, lengthy lunchtime lines, and operational disruptions, such as the inability to finish homework online, in recent months.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) of the United Kingdom recently released data showing that 347 cyber incidents were recorded in the country's education sector in 2023—a notable 55% rise from the year before.

Ransomware threats are rising

Ransomware occurrences have increased dramatically, with a 170% increase in cases between 2022 and 2023. School administrators are stressing the importance of having candid conversations on how to handle and react to unforeseen cyber incidents.

Risk management for cyber security is still relatively new for many educational establishments. Of addition, tight finances also make it difficult to invest in strong cyber security measures, which makes schools especially susceptible to cyberattacks.

Recent cyber attacks on schools

Two distinct cyberattacks that occurred within days of each other targeted two separate school systems in the United Kingdom earlier this year.

According to Sharon Mullins, CEO of Embrace Trust, "the whole thing feels very sinister." Shortly after learning of a possible ransomware attack, Mullins gave the order for her school system to completely cut off its connection to the internet.

She argued, "You're basically telling every teacher that they can no longer teach with immediate effect, regardless of what they had planned that day."

The theft of student data is highly personal, as she puts it. Teachers are not prepared for the possibility of receiving a ransom demand in exchange for the data's potential, albeit uncertain, return when they start their careers.

Resources for schools

Teachers and staff should have thorough cyber security training from schools in order to be proactive in preventing cyberattacks, especially ransomware.

Regular risk assessments are also recommended for educational systems and specific institutions to assist find weaknesses in the school's software, network infrastructure, and data storage sites.

Source: CyberTalk.Org