"Cyberattacks Hit Over a Third of English Schools"

According to the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), over a third (34%) of English schools and colleges were hit by a cyber incident in the previous academic year 2023/24.  The exam watchdog found that 20% of schools and colleges were unable to recover immediately following an incident, with 4% taking more than half a term to return to normal operations.  Additionally, 9% of headteachers admitted they had experienced a “critically damaging” cyberattack in the last academic year.  The most common cause of cybersecurity incidents was phishing attacks, experienced by 23% of schools and colleges.  North-West England was the most heavily impacted region, 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 cyber incident.  Ofqual noted that one in three teachers have not received cybersecurity training in 2023/24.  Of the two-thirds who did, 66% said it was useful.

Infosecurity Magazine reports: "Cyberattacks Hit Over a Third of English Schools"