The cyberattack which has left 15 schools in Nottinghamshire unable to conduct online lessons highlights the way criminals are directly targeting the education sector, according to cybersecurity company Heimdal™ Security.
The schools, which are all part of the Nova Education Trust, have been forced to shut down their systems while investigations are carried out following the attack, which was first discovered on Wednesday.
Ruth Schofield, UK Country Manager for Heimdal, said: “We are in the midst of a cybercrime epidemic and sadly, schools are becoming the latest victims. The rapid switch to remote learning has made them more dependent on their IT systems. In the rush to get pupils online, it is perhaps understandable that cybersecurity has been less of a priority, so they have become more vulnerable to attacks.
“At a time when businesses have been strengthening their defences, schools have become soft targets for criminals. The critical nature of their work also means that attacks can cause huge disruption and stop them teaching altogether, so faced with a ransom demand, schools are more likely to pay up.
“These attacks are the last thing the education sector needs right. Schools need greater support to improve cybersecurity, for example replacing traditional endpoint security products with next generation solutions that detect and prevent a wider range of threats. The good news is that even a small amount of investment can make a big impact in terms of protecting schools and maintaining our education system.”
