Analyzing Cyber Attacks on UK Schools: Lessons and Implications

The educational sector in the UK has faced significant challenges due to a series of cyber-attacks, highlighting vulnerabilities in school IT systems and the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures. This article will review four notable incidents as well as look at the implications of cyberattacks for future cybersecurity strategies in education.  

1. Hardenhuish School in Chippenham 

In April 2023, Hardenhuish School in Chippenham, Wiltshire, experienced a ransomware attack that underscored the susceptibility of school IT networks to cyber threats.  

Hackers gained control of the school's systems and demanded a ransom, significantly disrupting operations by compromising the website, local server, internet access, WiFi, printers, and internal telephone systems.  

Following the attack, the school worked with IT specialists to investigate the incident and implement contingency plans. The school informed parents of the attack and reassured them that no personal data had been stolen.  

Despite the swift response by the school in dealing with the ransomware attack, the incident raised critical questions about the preparedness of educational institutions to handle such crises.  

The situation at Hardenhuish emphasizes the need for comprehensive cybersecurity training for staff and regular system audits to identify and rectify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. 

2. Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester  

The cyber attack on Thomas Hardye School in May 2023, which impacted over 2,000 pupils, illustrated the far-reaching effects of ransomware on essential school functions. The attack left the school unable to use email or accept payments. All forms of communication had to be by phone due to compromised email systems. Collaborating with the National Cyber Security Centre and police, Thomas Hardye School worked to mitigate the attack's impact.  

The hackers demanded a ransom, however, the school refused to pay them. The school’s stance on not negotiating with cybercriminals aligned with best practices recommended by cybersecurity experts. At the same time, it underscored the need for robust backup systems and incident response plans. 

3. Leytonstone School in Waltham Forest  

Leytonstone School, located in Waltham Forest, suffered a cyber attack in June 2023 that revealed significant vulnerabilities in managing and protecting sensitive data. The attack led to the compromise of personal data and rendered the single central record, a crucial document for school operations, inaccessible.  

This led to the closure of the school, affecting all students except those taking GCSEs, and the subsequent shift to remote learning shows.  

This incident highlighted the legal and operational ramifications of cyber attacks on educational institutions. 

After the attack, the school also advised parents to change passwords for school-related sites to prevent further consequences. This is an important step in recovering from a cyber attack, especially for an organization like a school that stores vast amounts of data.  

 It helps to prevent further unauthorized access, protect personal information and mitigate the spread of the attack. It also rebuilds trust with parents and students, and complies with cybersecurity best practices. 

4. Tanbridge House School in Horsham 

In March 2023, Tanbridge House School in Horsham faced major disruption from a ransomware attack, marking the third cyber incident in West Sussex within a week. The headteacher’s report of no evidence of sensitive information being compromised highlighted a positive outcome amidst the chaos.  

However, the external IT security team’s ongoing investigation underscored the need for thorough and continuous scrutiny of the incident. 

This attack, attributed to the Ransom House group, showcased the tactics used by cybercriminals to pressure victims into payment through public extortion listings. The school's response, including hiring an external IT team and informing the Information Commissioner’s Office, reflected adherence to best practices in cyber incident response.  

This incident like the other attacks mentioned in this article highlighted the importance of educating school staff and students on recognizing and responding to cyber threats and the need for robust data encryption and backup protocols. 

5. The Billericay School in Essex 

The closure of The Billericay School in Essex due to a cyber attack that compromised all IT systems underscored the severe impact of such incidents on school operations. In June 2024, The Billericay School declared a "significant critical incident" following the cyber attack 

The use of complex encryption by attackers demonstrated the advanced methods employed by cybercriminals to disrupt educational institutions. Following the attack, the headteacher said the incident left them unable "to operate the school safely and effectively because all of the school's IT system was compromised and inaccessible".   

As a result, the school had to close to pupils in Year 7, 8, 9 and 12. The incident also affected staff as they had to prepare new lessons because they did not have access to their resources on the system. 

The headteacher’s acknowledged the attack had put strain on everyone, including families as younger students had to be shifted to remote learning platforms. 

Lessons and Implications 

The wave of cyber-attacks on UK schools offers critical lessons for educational institutions: 

1. Preparedness is Key: Schools must implement proactive measures, including regular cybersecurity training for staff and students, to recognize and respond to potential threats. Establishing a culture of cybersecurity awareness can significantly reduce the risk of attacks. 
2. Robust Infrastructure: Investing in advanced cybersecurity infrastructure, such as multi-layered firewalls, encryption, and secure backup systems, is essential. Regular audits and updates to these systems can help identify and fix vulnerabilities before they are exploited. 
3. Effective Incident Response Plans: Schools need well-defined incident response plans that include steps for immediate action, communication strategies, and collaboration with cybersecurity experts and authorities. These plans should be regularly tested and updated. 
4. Transparency and Communication: Maintaining clear and honest communication with parents, staff, and students during a cyber incident is crucial. Transparency helps manage expectations and reassures stakeholders that the situation is being handled competently. 
5. Legal and Compliance Considerations: Understanding and adhering to legal requirements, such as data protection regulations, is vital. Schools must ensure that they are compliant with laws and ready to take necessary actions, including notifying relevant authorities and stakeholders during a cyber incident. 
6. Contingency Planning: Developing flexible contingency plans for remote learning and alternative teaching methods ensures minimal disruption to education during cyber incidents. Schools should be prepared to switch to these plans swiftly to maintain continuity of education. 

Conclusion 

The series of cyber-attacks on UK schools shows the growing threat of cybercrime in the education sector. As schools increasingly rely on digital systems for day-to-day operations, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has never been more critical. These incidents highlight the importance of preparedness, swift response, and continuous improvement in cybersecurity practices to mitigate the impact of such attacks and ensure the safety and continuity of education for students. Schools must prioritize cybersecurity training, regular system audits, and the development of flexible contingency plans to navigate the evolving landscape of cyber threats effectively.