The most common cyber threats include:
- Hacking - including of social media and email passwords
- Phishing - bogus emails asking for security information and personal details
- Malicious software – including ransomware through which criminals hijack files and hold them to ransom
- Distributed denial of service (DDOS) attacks against websites – often accompanied by extortion
Most cyber attacks could be prevented by taking these basic security steps:
- Choose strong passwords and don’t reuse them for multiple logins
- Install security software such as anti-virus and two-factor authentication. This kind of software is often available for free.
- Keep all security software and operating systems updated (this can be set to update automatically)
Resource: National Crime Agency
The South-East Cyber Crime Unit gives the following about Data Breach Advice and What to Do. They advise that in a breach it may be tempting to search for and download a copy of the data from the Data Breach yourself for reassurance. They strongly recommend against doing this. Aside from ending up in possession of stolen data belonging to others, there are sometimes fake copies of such data circulating on the internet and dark web, containing malicious files (e.g. viruses) that can cause additional damage to your computer / network, online accounts and personal data.
Cyber crimes and data breaches can come from both external and internal sources and may result in financial loss. Reporting the crime, particularly a cyber crime, can help the cyber crime unit identify/track down criminals - you may be a very small, but crucial part of the puzzle! Don't forget that you may need to preserve evidence, so speak to Action Fraud first.
Only 15% of cyber crimes are reported!
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
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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.
m. Preserving evidence is as important as recovering from the crime.
Forward suspicious emails to