New information from Ofqual has revealed that faculties and faculties throughout England are making progress in cybersecurity coaching however are struggling to recuperate shortly from assaults after they happen.
Ofqual is now urging schooling establishments to reinforce their cyber coaching and guarantee they’re shielded from malicious software program, in addition to have backups in place to revive college students’ coursework and different important techniques within the occasion of an assault.
This is available in gentle of Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, which is devoted to elevating public consciousness about cyber threats and inspiring folks and organisations to undertake practices that shield in opposition to cyber-attacks.
Key actions promoted throughout this month embrace utilizing sturdy passwords, enabling Multi-Issue Authentication (MFA), updating software program commonly, and recognising and reporting phishing makes an attempt.
Information and figures: Cyber coaching rises by 11 share factors
The proportion of academics who acquired cybersecurity coaching has elevated by 11 share factors, from 61% throughout the educational 12 months 2023 -2024 to 72% in 2024-2025.
Nonetheless, the time taken for faculties to recuperate from cyber incidents has worsened – 55% of colleges that skilled a cyber incident have been in a position to recuperate instantly, in comparison with 63% the earlier 12 months.
Amanda Swann, Ofqual’s Govt Director of Basic {Qualifications}, defined: “Cyber-attacks can have a devastating influence on college students’ educational work. Faculties and faculties experiencing cybersecurity incidents reported shedding total lessons’ coursework and going through weeks of disruption to educating and studying.”
The influence of important harm from cyber-attacks
The ballot additionally discovered that 29% of colleges skilled a cybersecurity incident previously educational 12 months, a slight lower from 34% beforehand.
Regardless of this modest discount in prevalence amongst these surveyed, the severity of the influence was higher, with 10% of colleges reporting important harm from cyber-attacks, up from 6% the earlier 12 months.
Academics described the real-world penalties of cybersecurity assaults. One educator reported how an incident affected a whole academy belief, forcing employees to recreate misplaced schedules and sources.
Furthermore, one other trainer reported having suffered an assault, describing it as ‘terrible for college students’ coursework and employees planning, some issues have been gone perpetually’.
Sustaining efficient defences in opposition to cybersecurity threats
Amanda Swann concluded: “Safety from malware and common information backups are the best defence in opposition to these threats. Faculties that preserve present, accessible backups can restore techniques extra shortly and keep away from ransomware calls for.
“As faculties change into more and more digital, sturdy cybersecurity measures shield each instructional continuity and college students’ educational futures.”
For sensible recommendations on tips on how to defend in opposition to cyber-attacks, go to the National Cyber Security Centre’s Small Business Guide to Cybersecurity.
