Why Schools in the UK are Targets of Cyber Criminals

Why Schools in the UK are Targets of Cyber Criminals

Schools in the UK are increasingly being targeted by cyber criminals who exploit their weak cyber security. These attacks can have a devastating impact on schools, disrupting teaching and learning, damaging reputations, and costing money.

According to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), there were 78% of schools in the UK that experienced at least one type of cyber-incident in 2022. This includes ransomware attacks, data breaches, and phishing emails.

The NCSC has warned that schools are increasingly being targeted by cyber criminals, as they are seen as an easy target with a lot of valuable data

There are a number of reasons why schools are attractive targets for cyber criminals.

• Schools have a lot of sensitive data. Schools collect a lot of sensitive data about their students, such as names, addresses, dates of birth, and medical information. This data is valuable to cyber criminals, who can use it to commit identity theft, fraud, or other crimes.
• Schools are often less secure than other organizations. Schools often have less resources to invest in security than other organizations, such as businesses or government agencies. This means that they may be more vulnerable to cyber attacks.
• Schools are often more trusting of strangers. Schools are often more trusting of strangers than other organizations. This is because they are used to dealing with people who are not part of the school community, such as parents, volunteers, and contractors. This trust can be exploited by cyber criminals, who can pose as legitimate individuals in order to gain access to school systems.

Cyber attacks on schools can have a number of negative consequences.

• Disruption of teaching and learning. Cyber attacks can disrupt teaching and learning by taking down school websites, blocking access to online resources, or encrypting data. This can make it difficult for students to access the information they need to learn.
• Damage to reputation. Cyber attacks can damage the reputation of a school by causing it to lose the trust of parents, students, and the community. This can make it difficult for the school to recruit new students and staff, and it can lead to financial losses.

There are a number of things that schools can do to protect themselves from cyber attacks. These include:

• Implementing strong security measures. Schools should implement strong security measures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and data encryption.
• Training employees on cyber security best practices. Schools should train their employees on cyber security best practices. Employees should be aware of the risks of cyber attacks and how to protect themselves from them.
• Having a plan in place in case of a cyber attack. Schools should have a plan in place in case of a cyber attack. This plan should include steps to contain the attack, mitigate the damage, and recover from the attack.

By taking these steps, schools can help to protect themselves from cyber attacks.

Educate your students about cyber security. 

Students are often the weakest link in a school’s cyber security defenses. Make sure your students are aware of the risks of cyber attacks and how to protect themselves from them.

Google has launched a new free cybersecurity course for students. The course is designed to teach students the basics of cybersecurity, including topics such as:

• What is cybersecurity?
• The different types of cyber attacks
• How to protect yourself from cyber attacks
• The importance of cybersecurity awareness

Googles Cyber Security Course is self-paced, so students can learn at their own pace. The course is also free to enroll in, so students can take advantage of this valuable training without having to spend any money.

The course is a great resource for students who are interested in learning more about cybersecurity. It is also a great way for students to get started in a career in cybersecurity. The demand for cybersecurity professionals is growing, and this course can help students to develop the skills they need to succeed in this field.

Here are some of the benefits of taking Google’s new free cybersecurity course for students:

• Learn the basics of cybersecurity from Google experts
• Get hands-on experience with cybersecurity tools and techniques
• Build your cybersecurity skills portfolio
• Connect with other students and professionals in the cybersecurity field
• Earn a Google Career Certificate that employers will recognize

In addition to the above, schools, colleges and universities can also take the following steps to protect themselves from cyber attacks:

• Educate students about cyber security. Students should be taught about the risks of online threats and how to protect themselves.
• Monitor online activity. Schools can use software to monitor student internet usage and identify potential threats.
• Have a clear policy on acceptable use of technology. This policy should outline the rules for using technology in school, such as what websites are allowed and what type of content is prohibited.
• Work with parents and guardians. Parents and guardians can help to keep their children safe online by talking to them about cyber security and monitoring their online activity.

By taking these steps, schools can help to create a safer and more secure online environment for their students.