Debenham High School cyberattack

A cyberattack on a school just before the start of the new academic year doesn’t come as a surprise at all. Schools are a prime target for cybercriminals because they have limited protective IT resources compared to other sectors.

Cyberattacks on the education sector can have severe consequences on a child’s education. In the attack against Debenham High School, students are currently unable to access work completed over the summer. However, we’ve seen worst-case scenarios where schools have been forced to temporarily close.

Despite the obvious concerns many parents will have, the school did confirm that no data had been compromised and there were safeguards in place, which is extremely positive. It is essential for any educational organisation to have advanced security controls that not only detect and resolve security issues quickly but also limits the movement of malware. Having security procedures in place can be crucial in minimising the impact of a cyberattack and enabling a quick recovery.

The education of children has already been greatly impacted by Covid; therefore, further closures due to a cyberattack cannot be afforded. By prioritising cybersecurity measures and investing in the necessary resources, schools can reduce the risk of falling victim to a cyberattack, but also, give themselves with the tools to quickly recover if they were ever breached.