Introduction
The UK education sector is facing a significant threat from cyberattacks, with a substantial number of institutions experiencing breaches and attacks. This vulnerability is exacerbated by the rise of ransomware incidents and inadequate cybersecurity measures, leaving sensitive student and organizational data at risk. The following description provides a detailed account of the current state of cybersecurity within the UK education sector.
Description
The UK education sector is increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks [3] [4], with approximately 73% of institutions reporting at least one cyber incident in the past five years [4]. Alarmingly, recent government data reveals that 77% of education organizations experienced a breach or attack in the previous year [7], surpassing the 50% rate for all UK businesses [7]. Notably, a significant portion of higher education institutions faces cyber threats weekly, underscoring the severity of the situation. Among surveyed institutions, 20% reported experiencing three or more cyber incidents, while 71% of secondary schools, 86% of further education colleges [4] [5], and 97% of higher education institutions faced cyberattacks in the last year [4] [5].
The rise of ransomware attacks has particularly impacted educational institutions, with notable groups like Vice Society and LockBit exploiting vulnerabilities [6]. For instance, Blacon High School in Cheshire recently suffered a ransomware attack that compromised its IT systems, leading to a temporary closure and prompting an investigation into the breach’s extent. In 2024 [6], the global education sector reported 116 confirmed ransomware attacks [6], affecting 1.8 million records [6], with average ransom demands reaching $847,000 [6]. The headteacher of Blacon High School emphasized the increasing frequency of such incidents and the necessity for thorough investigations into potential data exfiltration [6], a common tactic in these attacks [6].
Cybercriminals often exploit basic student information [2], such as names [2], grades [2], and parental emails [2], to create phishing scams aimed at extracting sensitive data like credit card information [2]. These scams may take the form of fraudulent emails that appear to be from schools [2], urging parents to click on links for payments or credit monitoring [2]. Personal details like home addresses and dates of birth can also be manipulated to create fake credit requests or IDs [2]. Despite this alarming trend, 7% of institutions do not allocate any budget for cybersecurity [4], and one-third lack essential protections [4] [5], such as antivirus software (33%) and strong password policies (35%) [3] [4] [5] [7]. Additionally, 79% of institutions have not implemented advanced security measures like managed detection and response [3] [4]. This lack of investment jeopardizes sensitive student information and organizational data [7], making them prime targets for cybercriminals [7]. A significant portion of education organizations (21%) feel unprepared to address the increasing threat of AI-driven cyberattacks [7].
To mitigate risks following a data breach [2], parents are advised to discuss the incident with their children [2], change passwords on school accounts [2], enable two-factor authentication [2], and set up credit monitoring for their kids [2]. It is crucial to verify the authenticity of any email offers related to credit monitoring by checking official school board websites rather than clicking on links in emails [2]. Common concerns regarding cyber insurance include prioritizing existing cybersecurity budgets (37%) [7], doubts about payout reliability (33%) [7], and confusion over policy terms (32%) [7]. Only 44% of primary schools and 36% of secondary schools have cyber insurance [3] [7], with budget constraints being a primary reason for the lack of coverage [3]. Despite 76% of institutions believing their staff possess good knowledge of cybersecurity best practices [1] [3] [5], over half plan to enhance staff training and expand cybersecurity tools in the coming year [1] [5] [7]. Phishing remains a primary concern for 43% of education organizations [5], highlighting the pressing need for stronger cybersecurity measures [5].
There is a strong belief (77%) that institutions would benefit from managed cybersecurity support [7]. Experts emphasize the importance of improving cyber hygiene [5], assessing risks [5], and effectively addressing network threats. Jake Moore [1] [3] [7], Global Cybersecurity Advisor at ESET [1] [3] [7], underscores the urgent need for educational organizations to adopt a more comprehensive approach to cybersecurity [1]. He highlights the critical disconnect between budget allocation [3], insurance misconceptions [7], and inadequate protective measures that leave educational institutions highly exposed to cyber threats [3]. Moore advocates for increased investment [1], stakeholder education [1] [6] [7], advanced solutions [1] [5] [7], enhanced training [1], and collaboration with specialized providers to better protect operations [1] [5], staff [1] [3] [5] [7], and students [1] [5]. Schools are encouraged to reassess the types of personal information they collect [2], with some institutions deciding to stop collecting health card numbers in light of recent breaches [2]. While the prevalence of cyberattacks in schools is a concern [2], proper cybersecurity measures can help prevent these incidents [2], as cybercriminals often target the most vulnerable systems [2].
Conclusion
The increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks on the UK education sector highlight the urgent need for improved cybersecurity measures. Institutions must prioritize investment in advanced security solutions, staff training [1] [7], and managed cybersecurity support to protect sensitive data and maintain operational integrity. By addressing budgetary constraints and misconceptions about cyber insurance, educational organizations can better prepare for future threats. Enhanced collaboration with cybersecurity experts and a reassessment of data collection practices are essential steps in mitigating risks and safeguarding the educational environment.
References
[1] https://insight.scmagazineuk.com/schools-still-lack-budget-and-best-practises
[2] https://uk.news.yahoo.com/cyberattack-affecting-school-boards-across-090000263.html
[3] https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/many-schools-still-dont-have-basic-cybersecurity-measures-research-reveals
[4] https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/schools-hit-by-cyberattacks-in/
[5] https://osintcorp.net/73-of-uk-education-sector-hit-by-cyber-attacks-in-past-five-years/
[6] https://cybersecuritynews.com/ransomware-attack-balcom-high-school/
[7] https://www.intelligentciso.com/2025/01/22/new-research-highlights-crucial-cybersecurity-gaps-in-education-sector/
