Cyber Attack: Wiltshire School
A Wiltshire secondary school has been severely affected by a targeted attack by hackers who demanded a ransom to restore access to its IT network. The attack affected the school's local server, its website, internet access, Wi-Fi, printers and internal phone systems.
A full report can be read here: https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/23476464.hacker-demands-ransom-taking-control-wiltshire-schools/
The school's website was still down several days later. An update a few days later was published here: https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/23484633.hardenhuish-school-cyber-attack-update-hackers-demand-ransom/
In the BBC report cyber expert, Prof Alan Woodward, from the University of Surrey, said schools are a "soft target".
"IT is not their core business, they don't have big IT teams, and if they're all using standard software and a vulnerability is found in it, then the criminals will quite quickly realise that.
"The advice is never to pay. It sounds like a quick way out, but the prices are extortionate, and you're painting a big target on your back.
"Hackers sell what they call 'suckers lists' on the dark web, where they say 'these people will pay up', and often it can lead to further attacks," he added.
The full BBC Report can be found here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-65411450
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What to do in the event of a Cyber Attack
Incidents or attacks where any security breaches may have taken place, or other damage was caused, should be reported to an external body.
The SLT digital lead will be responsible for assigning someone to report any suspicious cyber incidents or attacks. This person will need to report this to:
- Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or the Action Fraud website
- the DfE sector cyber team at
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You may also need to report to:
- the NCSC website if the incident or attack causes long term school closure, the closure of more than one school, or serious financial damage
- the ICO website within 72 hours, where a high risk data breach has or may have occurred
- your cyber insurance provider (if you have one), such as risk protection arrangement (RPA)
- Jisc, if you are a part of a further education institution
You must act in accordance with:
- Action Fraud guidance for reporting fraud and cyber crime
- Academy Trust Handbook Part 6, if you are part of an academy trust
- ICO requirements for reporting personal data breaches
Police investigations may find out if any compromised data has been published or sold and identify the perpetrator.
Preserving evidence is as important as recovering from the crime.
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