While we are focusing on cyber security and cyber resilience in October, Ofqual is reminding schools and colleges of the importance of cyber security after a poll highlighted the risks associated with poor cyber hygiene.
The survey uncovered the fact that 1 in 3 secondary teachers had not had any cyber training in the last academic year.

The poll, which surveyed teachers across England, also found that: 

• 34% of schools and colleges in England experienced a cyber incident during the last academic year 

• most commonly, 23% of schools and colleges in England experienced a cyber security incident due to a phishing attack 

• the north-west was hit hardest, with 40% of schools which responded having had a cyber incident, compared with 28% in the east of England 

• 20% could not recover immediately, with 4% taking more than half a term to recover 

• 9% of headteachers said the attack was critically damaging 

• 1 in 3 teachers have not had cyber security training this year — of the two-thirds who have had training, 66% said it was useful.

Cyber training is recommended in the DfE Digital Standards for everyone that has access to the organisation's network.
test.  More information about the poll, can be found 👉Ofqual cyber poll

We recommend reviewing the DfE Digital Standards to check where you are with cyber security and other digital standards.  Review our DfE Digital Standards Tracker page for further information about free webinars, support, guidance and our DfE Digital Standards Tracker.