NCSC Launches Cybersecurity Guide for Schools Amidst Rising Threats
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has released a guide for small businesses, including schools and colleges, to bolster their cybersecurity defences. This comes as October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of practices like strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
The NCSC's guide offers practical tips to protect against cyber-attacks, which can lead to lost coursework and significant disruption to teaching and learning. Ofqual has urged educational institutions to enhance cybersecurity training and ensure protection from malicious software. The warning is timely, given that 29% of schools experienced a cybersecurity incident in the past academic year, with 10% reporting critical damage.
Protection from malware and regular data backups are key defence strategies. The NCSC recommends having backups in place to restore students' coursework and vital systems in case of an attack. Institutions with current, accessible backups can restore systems more quickly and avoid ransomware demands. While the proportion of teachers receiving cybersecurity training has increased to 72%, the time taken for schools to recover from cyber incidents has worsened, with only 55% recovering immediately.
During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, schools and colleges are encouraged to promote good cybersecurity practices, such as using strong passwords and enabling MFA. By following the NCSC's guide and enhancing their cybersecurity measures, institutions can better protect against cyber-attacks and mitigate potential disruptions to teaching and learning.
