Recent reports suggest that schools and trusts face a menacing growth in the risk of cyber-attacks and fraud. These attacks range from phishing scams to more sophisticated fraud, as well as the use of ransomware that can bring schools to a standstill.
An article in “Schools Week” highlighted a serious case involving Wembley Multi-Academy Trust (WMAT), which serves as a stark reminder of these dangers. WMAT was a victim to a scam that resulted in £385,532 being fraudulently paid to cyber criminals after a supplier’s email was tampered with. Unfortunately, such incidents are becoming more frequent in the education sector.
In addition, in May 2024, the BBC reported that figures from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) demonstrated a damaging five-year high in cyber security incidents in education and childcare, with 353 incidents reported in 2023 alone.
A recent Offqual survey provides further insight into the impact of these threats. Phishing attacks were the most common issue reported by secondary schools, with 23% being targeted. Alarmingly, 9% of school leaders described the attacks as “critically damaging.” Around 20% of schools struggled to recover immediately, and 4% required more than half a term to restore operations.
Despite these risks, there is a silver lining as the survey revealed a significant gap in preparedness, with 33% of secondary teachers not receiving any cyber-security training this year. With more knowledge, training and having the right support in place, attacks can be prevented. This is where EasiPC can step in.
We have over 30 years’ experience of supporting ICT in the education sector and in excess of 125 schools, academies and trusts protected by our security support services.
How EasiPC Can Help:
EasiPC’s Proactive Cyber Security
Our advanced cyber security services include:
- Email Filtering and Threat Detection: We implement cutting-edge tools to identify and block suspicious emails before they reach your inbox.
- Secure Systems Access: We ensure staff have secure, role-based access to sensitive data, reducing the risk of breaches.
- Data Encryption and Backup Solutions: Regular, encrypted backups ensure your data is safe and recoverable in the event of an attack.
Fraud Awareness and Training
Human error often plays a significant role in successful cyber-attacks. EasiPC offers training workshops for staff to:
- Recognise phishing attempts and fraudulent communications.
- Follow clear processes for verifying supplier information and changes to account details.
- Understand the importance of vigilance and awareness in digital communication.
Streamlined Processes
We believe that a well-documented process for managing supplier payments is essential. EasiPC works with schools to create and implement these systems, ensuring compliance with best practices and making sure the risk of fraud is greatly reduced.
Supporting Schools in Recovery
In the unfortunate event of a cyber-attack, EasiPC provides immediate support to:
- Recover data from backups.
- Assess and repair affected systems, from file level recovery through to their entire systems.
- Help staff regain access to essential resources with as little disruption as possible.
A Trusted Partner
With over 125 schools, academies, and trusts in Northamptonshire, and surrounding counties, relying on our services, EasiPC has the experience and expertise to protect your systems from cyber threats. By partnering with us, you gain the peace of mind of knowing your systems, staff and students are supported against the growing tide of cybercrime.
Find out more by contacting us about your requirements, call us on 01604 286682 or email us at info@easipc.co.uk
