Cyber security alert issued following rising attacks on UK academia

The NCSC has issued an alert to the academic sector following a spate of online attacks against UK schools, colleges and universities.

The National Cyber Security Centre, a part of GCHQ, is supporting establishments to keep criminals out of their networks after a spike in ransomware attacks.

The rise in attacks was recorded in August as cyber criminals turn their attention to a sector focused on the return of students.

Cyber security experts have today (Thursday) stepped up support for UK schools, colleges, and universities following a spate of online attacks with the potential to de-rail their preparations for the new term.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) issued an alert to the sector containing a number of steps they can take to keep cyber criminals out of their networks, following a recent spike in ransomware attacks.

The NCSC dealt with several ransomware attacks against education establishments in August, which caused varying levels of disruption, depending on the level of security establishments had in place.

Ransomware attacks typically involve the encryption of an organisation’s data by cyber criminals, who then demand money in exchange for its recovery.

With institutions either welcoming pupils and students back for a new term, or preparing to do so, the NCSC’s alert urges them to take immediate steps such as ensuring data is backed up and also stored on copies offline.

They are also urged to read the NCSC’s newly-updated guidance on mitigating malware and ransomware attacks, and to develop an incident response plan which they regularly test.

👀 👉🏼 https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/news/alert-issued-following-rising-attacks-on-uk-academia

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