👾 Ransomware is the most acute cyber threat for most businesses in the UK and the impact of an attack can have far reaching effects in an organisation.
The Government has proposed banning public sector and critical infrastructure organisations from making ransomware payments.
There is also a proposal for the creation of a mandatory reporting regime for ransomware incidents. This is intended to boost available intelligence on ransomware attacks for law enforcement agencies.
The main objectives of the proposed legislation are:
🛡️ to reduce the amount of money flowing to ransomware criminals from the UK.
🛡️to increase the ability of operational agencies to disrupt and investigate ransomware actors by increasing the UK's intelligence around the ransomware payment landscape.
🛡️ to enhance the government's understanding of the threats in this area to inform future interventions, including through cooperation at international level.
The service will help increase the National Crime Agency (NCA)'s awareness of live attacks and criminal ransom demands.
Further information about the consultation can be found 👉Ransomware: proposals to increase incident reporting and reduce payments to criminals
The NCSC published a report at the end of 2024 stating that cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and severe. The NCSC report can be viewed👉NCSC Risk Facing UK Widely Underestimated. Richard Horne, CEO NCSC stated:
“There is no room for complacency about the severity of state-led threats or the volume of the threat posed by cyber criminals. The defence and resilience of critical infrastructure, supply chains, the public sector and our wider economy must improve."
Knowledge Bank Support & Guidance If you're worried about your cyber resilience and you are a school or college, consider how the DfE Digital Standards can help with this. Start by assigning your SLT Digital Lead and reviewing the Digital Leadership & Governance Standards. Small businesses can also view our Cyber Security Best Practice Area.
🚫 Generally speaking, victims are always advised not to pay ransoms as there is never a guarantee that a decryption code will be received or that the data will be received even if it is decrypted.
🔍 Remember that by reporting an incident, however small it may seem, might just be the last piece of the puzzle that's needed for gathering evidence against a threat actor. Do you know how to report cyber incidents?
What to do in the event of a cyber attack
First, follow your cyber response plan. Record the incident in your internal incident log, inform your governing board or trustees, and contact your Data Protection Officer (DPO) as soon as possible if personal data could be involved.
Incidents or attacks where a security breach may have taken place, or other damage was caused, should also be reported to an external body. The SLT digital lead is responsible for assigning someone to report any suspicious cyber incidents or attacks. This person will need to report to:
- Report Fraud, which replaced Action Fraud in December 2025, on 0300 123 2040 or through the Report Fraud website. Make sure it is recorded as a crime report so that you receive a crime reference number.
- the DfE sector cyber team at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
You may also need to report to:
- the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) if the incident or attack causes long-term school closure, the closure of more than one school, or serious financial damage. If you're not sure who to report to, use the government's cyber incident signposting service.
- the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) within 72 hours of becoming aware of a personal data breach, unless the breach is unlikely to result in a risk to people's rights and freedoms. If the risk is high, you must also tell the people affected without undue delay. Your DPO can help you assess this. We will do this on behalf of DPE customers.
- the Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) emergency assistance helpline on 0800 368 6378 or
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , if you are an RPA member, or your cyber insurance provider if you have one - your local police force if you suspect a safeguarding impact
- any third-party service providers whose systems are affected, so they can be part of a coordinated response
- Jisc CSIRT, if you are part of a further education institution.
You must act in accordance with:
- Report Fraud's guide to reporting cyber crime and fraud
- Academy Trust Handbook Part 6, if you are part of an academy trust. Since September 2025, academy trusts must not pay any cyber ransom demands.
- the ICO's guidance on personal data breaches.
Preserve the evidence
Police investigations may find out whether any compromised data has been published or sold, and identify the perpetrator. Preserving evidence is as important as recovering from the crime. Keep a clear record of what happened, when, and what actions you took. The DfE's guidance on record keeping in an incident explains what to capture.
Reporting suspicious emails and texts
Forward suspicious emails to