Cyberattack shuts down online learning at 15 UK schools | ZDNet
Cyberattack shuts down online learning at 15 UK schools
The cyberattack also took email, phone, and website communication offline.
Charlie Osborne
By Charlie Osborne for Zero Day | March 5, 2021 -- 09:04 GMT (09:04 GMT) | Topic: Security
15 schools in the United Kingdom have been unable to provide online learning due to a cyberattack.
SECURITY
Everything you need to know about the Microsoft Exchange Server hack
Cyber security 101: Protect your privacy from hackers, spies, and the government
The best antivirus software and apps
The best VPNs for business and home use
The best security keys for two-factor authentication
Why some governments are getting cyber crime gangs to do their hacking for them (ZDNet YouTube)
The schools, based in Nottinghamshire, belong to the Nova Education Trust co-operative.
On Wednesday, as reported by local publication NottinghamshireLive, several of the schools reported issues across social media and the need to close down the IT systems due to the cyberattack.
According to Nova Education Trust, a threat actor was able to access the trust's central network infrastructure and while an investigation took place, all existing phone, email, and website communication had to be pulled.
Students are still learning remotely in England. Schools are set to reopen on March 8, but in the meantime, only a small subset of children are attending school physically, such as the children of key workers.
The 15 schools impacted by the central cybersecurity incident were not able to provide typical remote learning and teachers have been unable to upload learning materials. However, some of the schools have pivoted to SMS messages, temporary phone numbers, and Microsoft Teams to try and keep lesson disruption to a minimum.
Days after, IT teams are still working to restore the trust's systems. While it is not known who is responsible, the incident highlights how centralized IT infrastructures, when compromised, can have a ripple effect and impact any and all institutions relying on them.
This is how employers can build meaningful health and wellbeing initiatives in 2021
Employee health and wellbeing is important for any business owner that wants to create a successful organisation.
Sponsored by AXA Health
"The incident has been reported to the Department for Education and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), and the trust is currently working with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and additional security professionals to resolve the matter," Nova Education Trust said. "All trust employees have been advised to take the necessary precautions."
The cyberattack also took email, phone, and website communication offline.
Charlie Osborne
By Charlie Osborne for Zero Day | March 5, 2021 -- 09:04 GMT (09:04 GMT) | Topic: Security
15 schools in the United Kingdom have been unable to provide online learning due to a cyberattack.
SECURITY
Everything you need to know about the Microsoft Exchange Server hack
Cyber security 101: Protect your privacy from hackers, spies, and the government
The best antivirus software and apps
The best VPNs for business and home use
The best security keys for two-factor authentication
Why some governments are getting cyber crime gangs to do their hacking for them (ZDNet YouTube)
The schools, based in Nottinghamshire, belong to the Nova Education Trust co-operative.
On Wednesday, as reported by local publication NottinghamshireLive, several of the schools reported issues across social media and the need to close down the IT systems due to the cyberattack.
According to Nova Education Trust, a threat actor was able to access the trust's central network infrastructure and while an investigation took place, all existing phone, email, and website communication had to be pulled.
Students are still learning remotely in England. Schools are set to reopen on March 8, but in the meantime, only a small subset of children are attending school physically, such as the children of key workers.
The 15 schools impacted by the central cybersecurity incident were not able to provide typical remote learning and teachers have been unable to upload learning materials. However, some of the schools have pivoted to SMS messages, temporary phone numbers, and Microsoft Teams to try and keep lesson disruption to a minimum.
Days after, IT teams are still working to restore the trust's systems. While it is not known who is responsible, the incident highlights how centralized IT infrastructures, when compromised, can have a ripple effect and impact any and all institutions relying on them.
This is how employers can build meaningful health and wellbeing initiatives in 2021
Employee health and wellbeing is important for any business owner that wants to create a successful organisation.
Sponsored by AXA Health
"The incident has been reported to the Department for Education and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), and the trust is currently working with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and additional security professionals to resolve the matter," Nova Education Trust said. "All trust employees have been advised to take the necessary precautions."
