Tag Archives: Secondary

60% of British Secondary Schools Targeted by Cyberattacks in the Past Year | Cybercrime

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Last month, when hackers targeted UK nursery schools and leaked child data online, they faced accusations of reaching a new low.

Nonetheless, the wider education sector is more familiar with being a target.

As per the British Government Survey, educational institutions are at a higher risk of cyberattacks or security breaches than private businesses.

Over the past year, six out of ten middle schools have experienced attacks or breaches, while more than 80% of universities and 90% of higher education institutions have faced similar issues. In contrast, only four out of ten companies reported violations or breaches, a statistic comparable to elementary schools.

Toby Lewis, global threat analysis director at cybersecurity firm Darktrace, notes that the UK education sector isn’t necessarily a specific target. “They are caught in the dragnet of cybercrime,” he explained, mentioning the “element of randomness and opportunism” involved in cybercrime victim selection.

Last week, the BBC highlighted that Kido, a nursery business targeted by hacking groups identified as Shinekase, had its system compromised after “early access brokers” sold access to Kido’s system, a scenario common in cybercrime circles.

Data from the annual Cybersecurity Violation Survey is derived from over 30 higher education institutions, almost 300 secondary and elementary schools in the UK, and various universities. The survey defines a cyberattack as an “attempt” to breach a target IT system, which includes sending “phishing” emails designed to deceive recipients into disclosing sensitive information, such as passwords.

Phishing emails constitute the most prevalent type of attacks on universities and schools.

Ransomware attacks have become widely recognized forms of cybercrime in the UK, wherein attackers encrypt IT systems to steal data and demand Bitcoin payments for decryption and the return of data.

The West Lothian Council’s education network has encountered ransomware attacks this year, resulting in data being obtained from several schools, with recent attacks also reported at Newcastle University, Manchester University, and Wolverhampton University.

Lewis suggests that state schools might be more susceptible due to funding pressures and a lack of expertise, while universities also face risks because they contain thousands of young students who may not be cybersecurity-savvy, along with computer networks designed to facilitate academic collaboration.

Colleges appear to be a favored target, and higher education institutions are reportedly the most frequently affected, with three in ten experiencing violations or attacks weekly, according to government data. Nonetheless, the education sector may be more conscious of government initiatives on cybercrime prevention than businesses and charities.

Pepe Dilacio, general secretary of the British Schools Association and the Association of University Leaders, remarked that ransomware attacks pose a “major risk” and emphasized the ongoing efforts to safeguard systems and data.

James Bowen, assistant secretary at the National Association of Principals, welcomed additional government funding to assist school leaders in identifying and responding to cyber threats.

The Ministry of Education stated that the school’s support includes a dedicated team to handle cyber incidents and collaborate closely with the UK’s National Cybersecurity Centre to provide complimentary training for school staff. “We take cybersecurity in schools seriously and understand the significant disruption attacks can cause, and we offer a wide range of support to schools,” said a spokesperson.

Following backlash from the hack, Kido hackers have deleted data obtained from the company, including child profiles.

However, government data indicates that the education sector continues to be a target. Ministers are preparing schools, the NHS, and local councils to potentially pay ransoms under government proposals aimed at combating hackers. In the meantime, attacks continue.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Smartphone Ban Implemented by Coalition of 17 London Secondary Schools

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A collective of schools in London has made the decision to prohibit the use of smartphones, reflecting a growing concern about the reliance on mobile devices among children.

The heads of 17 out of 20 state secondary schools in Southwark, south London, have united to discourage students from using smartphones outside of school premises in an effort to address the negative impacts of excessive smartphone use.

Additionally, three other public schools in the area are working towards implementing the same policy.

The schools aim to educate families and students about the various harmful consequences associated with smartphone and social media use in young individuals. These include mental health issues, addiction to screen time, disruptions to sleep and concentration, exposure to inappropriate content, as well as an increased risk of theft and robbery.

Mike Baxter, principal at City of London Academy, stated, “We have witnessed firsthand the detrimental effects of smartphones and social media on the health and education of children. The negative behaviors often manifested outside of school hours but were subsequently revealed within the school environment.”

The schools have collectively agreed to confiscate cellphones if used during class. Traditional phones without Wi-Fi access may be quickly returned, while smartphones may only be retrieved after a week or upon personal collection by a parent.

The new measures will impact over 13,000 young individuals in one of London’s top-performing boroughs. The policy applies to students in years 7 to 9 across all secondary schools, with some schools adopting a comprehensive approach.

Furthermore, a group of secondary school principals are collaborating with primary school leaders in Southwark to establish a borough-wide initiative.

Jessica West, principal at Ark Walworth Academy, emphasized that the inaction of phone companies compelled schools to take action to ensure the well-being of children. They aim to guide families and children in making healthy choices regarding smartphone usage.


Recent reports indicate a significant rise in screen time among young children and teenagers, with screen time among children increasing by 52% between 2020 and 2022, according to the UK House of Commons Education Committee.

Approximately 25% of children and adolescents are reported to use smartphones in a manner consistent with behavioral addiction, as per the findings of the report.

The collaborative effort has been praised by Daisy Greenwell, co-founder of A childhood without smartphones (SFC), who stated, “This united action by a headteacher in south London is groundbreaking and truly impactful. It is unprecedented for secondary schools to collectively address this issue. Commendably, this could potentially alter the lives of a generation of children in south London who are at risk of developing mental health challenges due to early smartphone usage.”

Concerns regarding smartphones and children are escalating rapidly, with SFC expanding its reach to other countries such as the US, UAE, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Portugal.

In the UK, an increasing number of parents are committing to delaying the provision of smartphones to their children until they reach the age of 14. Bristol is a prime example, where 80 schools have established SFC groups and over 1,000 parents have pledged their support.

Greenwell expressed excitement about the organic growth of this movement among schools, principals, and parents, indicating that this long-awaited conversation is finally gaining traction.

Source: www.theguardian.com