InfoSec / Cyber

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Digital graphic symbolizing a cyber attack and data breach at the Department for Education (DfE).
Information/Cyber Security

The Department for Education confirmed that hackers have accessed its internal helpdesk and the Turing Scheme portal, taking more than 600,000 records. Contact details belonging to headteachers, senior school leaders, government officials and university staff were among the data taken, and some of it has since appeared on the dark web.

Understandably, this has caused a lot of anxiety across the sector and, predictably, a lot of speculation. Was this preventable? Should the DfE have done more? Who's to blame?

Department for Education's Cyber Security Hub graphic, showing digital protection for schools against cyber threats.
Information/Cyber Security

Cyber attacks on schools are no longer a distant threat. The Department for Education (DfE) has just launched a dedicated Cyber Security Hub to help schools navigate this growing danger, and as a school leader, it's worth understanding exactly what it offers and why it matters.  If you were at our conference in February you were lucky enough to see a preview of the tool!

Know your IT Support Provider graphic. IT Support Due Diligence Directory for schools and colleges.
Information/Cyber Security

Finding the right IT partner and support provider is a big decision.  Due diligence for IT Support isn't just about who can 'fix computers', it's about ensuring standards are followed and they work with you to meet your organisation's strategy. Data Protection Education has a DfE IT Support Tracker and Supplier Due Diligence Directory to provide support and guidance as well as tracking your progress.

The Government Cyber Action Plan 2026 document. UK public sector cyber security strategy.
Information/Cyber Security

The Government Cyber Action Plan, published in January 2026, sets out a radical shift in how the UK public sector manages cyber security and digital resilience. It moves away from fragmented, siloed defences toward a "Defend as One" model led by a new Government Cyber Unit within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

  1. Four London councils hit by cyber attacks - Hackney, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, and Hammersmith & Fulham
  2. IT Support Standards for Schools and Colleges Guidance (DfE Digital Standards)
  3. October 31. On the road to improving cyber resilience
  4. October 30. Cyber Support
  5. October 29. Admin Controls & Accounts
  6. October 28. Phishing: Don't Take the Bait!
  7. October 27. Passwords
  8. October 26. Physical Security of Digital Assets
  9. October 25. Server Security: Protecting Your Digital Core
  10. October 24. Backups: Your Recovery Safety Net
  11. October 23. Filtering and Monitoring
  12. October 22. Hardware: Printers
  13. October 21. Hardware: Asset Management
  14. October 20. Hardware: Safe disposal
  15. October 19. Anti-virus/anti-malware
  16. October 18. Regular Updates: Patching Against Threats
  17. October 17. Access Control: Managing User Privileges
  18. October 16. Access Control: Securing Your Digital Gateways (Wi-Fi & Networks)
  19. October 15. Access Control: Securing Your Home Office (Working From Home)
  20. October 14. Access Control : (Multi-factor authentication)
  21. October 13. Cyber Security Awareness
  22. October 12. Training: Empowering your human firewall
  23. October 11. Policies and Procedures: Cyber Blueprint
  24. October 10. Understanding Your Cyber Posture
  25. Time's Ticking: Windows 10 support ends in October 2025!
  26. October 9. A Guide for Education Providers
  27. October 8. How Can Your Organisation Prevent Ransomware Attacks?
  28. October 7: Under Attack: The Reality of Ransomware
  29. October 6: Cyber Action Plan and A Roadmap to Resilience
  30. October 5: Cyber Responsibilities - We're All in This Together
  31. October 4: When a Cyber Attack Hits
  32. October 3: Data Security, the Core of Protection
  33. October 2: Privacy Protection & Safeguarding Personal Data
  34. October 1: Welcome to Cyber Security Awareness Month!
  35. Nursery Cyber attack
  36. The NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework
  37. The Classroom's Dark Side: Cyber crime from the Classroom
  38. The Latest Cyber Threat: The "Murky Panda"
  39. Social engineering + impersonation = Fraud ≡ cyber deception
  40. School cyber attack: Framlingham College, Suffolk
  41. Getting caught in the Scattered Spider web
  42. A Wake-Up Call for Cyber Vigilance - Danger in the Threat Landscape for Everyone
  43. Apple removes its highest level data security tool from UK customers
  44. The role of Passkeys in Cyber Resilience and Cyber Security
  45. Effectively communicating during a cyber incident
  46. Safeguarding Identity in Microsoft 365: Protecting the UK Education Sector Against Cyber Threats
  47. How does the recent global IT outage affect me?
  48. King's speech introduces new bills in relation to cyber security, smart data and digital information
  49. What's a Cyber Incident and what should we do?
  50. Free short cyber training for staff
  51. Children's mental health data leaked after a cyber attack
  52. Cyber Incident Review: The Benefits
  53. Cyber attack on a University
  54. Kent Councils Data Breach
  55. Phishing attacks targeting schools - alert from City of London Police
  56. Update on Advisory for Rhysida Ransomware
  57. The Crime in a Cyber Attack and a Data Breach
  58. NCSC Annual Review is published for 2023
  59. Learning from Data Breaches
  60. Windows 11 security ineffective against attacks on old devices
  61. International Counter Ransomware Initiative 2023 Joint Statement
  62. Top Ten Cyber Security Misconfigurations
  63. ICO Reprimand: company suffered a ransomware attack
  64. The UK Online Safety Bill becomes an Act (Law)
  65. The importance of software updates (PaperCut vulnerability and Rhysida ransomware)
  66. Ransomware, extortion and the cyber crime ecosystem
  67. Cyber Resource: The Cyber Resilience Centre Group
  68. Email and Security: ICO recent guidance
  69. What to do in the event of a Cyber Attack
  70. Cyber Crime: AI Generated Phishing Attacks
  71. Cyber Attack: Exam Boards
  72. VICE SOCIETY - Ransomware attacks on schools
  73. Be Cyber Aware: USB Sticks
  74. Cyber Insurance in the Public Sector
  75. Types of Cyber Attacks: DDos Attack (Microsoft DDoS Attack in June)
  76. Cyber Attack: Leytonstone School
  77. Be Cyber Aware: Firewalls
  78. Be Cyber Aware: Cyber attacks and transparency. A no blame culture
  79. Cyber Attack: Dorchester School
  80. Types of Cyber Attacks: Password Attacks
  81. Be Cyber Aware: Why regular software updates are important
  82. Cyber Attack: Wiltshire School
  83. Keeping your IT systems safe and secure
  84. Why we recommend using PIN codes on printers
  85. Types of Cyber Attacks: DDoS Attacks
  86. Types of Cyber Attacks: Phishing
  87. Types of Cyber Attacks: The Insider Threat
  88. Why your data is profitable to cyber criminals
  89. Types of malware and how they are linked to data protection
  90. How a school fought back after a cyberattack
  91. Types of Cyber Attacks - Credential Stuffing
  92. January Cyber update - How Can Schools Help Prevent Cyber Attacks?
  93. The Education sector now at highest risk of cyber attacks
  94. Cyber Attacks
  95. Emails – good practice and minimising the risk of a data breach

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