We all know that keeping data safe and secure is critical to avoiding malicious attacks. Did you know there was an increase in ransomware attacks on the UK education sector during August and September 2020 – rising again in February 2021?
On 17 September 2020, The National Cyber Security Centre issued an alert to the education sector regarding the sharp rise in cyber-attacks. They warned that ‘ransomware has led to the loss of student coursework, school financial records, as well as data relating to Covid-19 testing.’ The Centre detected another rise from June 2021.
Recent cyber-attacks include:
Common ways in which cyber-criminals can gain access to your school IT system or your computer's data is through:
Cybercriminals benefit from inexperienced individuals. This makes it easier for them to carry out their attack. However, even those who are knowledgeable about cyber-security can fall victim to cyber-attacks.
That’s why we recommend that you ask yourself the following questions when you’re faced with a situation that could lead to a comprise of data:
How you can protect your data
You’ll want to communicate with your IT team to ensure their back-ups contain the right data, that these back-ups are held offline and that they can restore the data.
If you encounter a phishing email, have been contacted by an unknown contact with an unusual request, or have reason to believe you’re being targeted:
Other precautions you should take include:
If you have reason to believe that your data has been compromised, let your IT department know as soon as possible so they can take appropriate action.
At SAAF, our team has completed extensive cyber-security training – so we understand the importance of keeping your data safe and secure. If you would like to learn more about how SAAF Education can support your school, academy or trust - contact us using the link below.