Last week the BBC reported on a school in Dorset who became the latest victim in a cybercrime attack.

The report said that a member of staff had clicked on a link in an email, opening the door to hackers to use ransomware to encrypt files stored on one of the school’s networks; disabling all access.

The network affected had been used to store GSCE coursework. No backups had been taken and the coursework was lost. The school are now in the unenviable position of liaising with exam boards, students and parents.

The timing of this latest cyber-attack coincides with the Government issuing a stark warning on the “significant increase” in school cyber attacks and urging school leaders to act.

Time and budget constraints can mean cyber-security get pushed down the priority list, but institutions such as schools and hospitals are becoming popular targets for hackers, because of the lack of good cyber security practices.

3 things to consider improving when it comes to your school or college’s cybersecurity

• Back-ups – Ensure robust back-up procedures are in place. This means that in the event of a security compromise, files can be quickly and easily restored. We recommend that files are stored away from the main school networks and cloud-based solutions such as Microsoft Azure provide the perfect solution.
• Up to Date Firewall and Anti-virus – make sure your firewall and ant-virus programmes are always kept up to date. Consider outsourcing this to a Managed Service Provider (MSP) as they will give the inside track on the latest updates to help prevent malicious software and emails getting through.
• Training and Awareness – The statistics* show that the majority of security breaches are down to human error; such as the incident in Dorset. Take time to educate staff and train them to “think before they click”.

Unsure where to start?

Book a free security consultation with HBT Communications.

HBT works with schools and colleges across the Midlands; from primary through to multi-academy trusts and higher education colleges. We are experts and designing security solutions to meet your needs. Call us on 02476 867 422 or if it’s more convenient, request a callback.

*88% of UK data breaches ware caused by human error, not cyber-attacks. These were the findings in research carried out by Kroll, a global provider of risk solutions, using data obtained from Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).