NLWith the way we use technology, all of us are keeping sensitive data online and on electronic devices.
Schools and teachers are no exception to this – a vast majority of information and data is stored and backed up online or on devices such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones. Information stored might be a list of your colleague’s email addresses, sensitive documents, financial information or even personal information about your pupils. No matter what information is stored electronically or online, it’s important to keep it protected from security threats!
To keep important and vital information protected all school staff and teachers first need to become more aware of cyber security. As stated by the National Cyber Security Centre, ‘’Cyber security's core function is to protect the devices we all use (smartphones, laptops, tablets and computers), and the services we access - both online and at work - from theft or damage. It's also about preventing unauthorised access to the vast amounts of personal information we store on these devices, and online.’’
This is the first step to learn what information within a school community could be under threat. Schools can then start to form an understanding around why teachers and school staff need to increase their security knowledge.
Findings From the Cyber Security in UK Schools Report
Significantly, our 2022 Cyber Security in UK Schools Report (in partnership with Bitdefender and the Institute of Cyber Security for Society at the University of Kent) found that 17% of UK schools reported a cyber attack. In contrast to this, 62% of schools had not received cyber security training to prevent any future attack, putting their school environment in a more vulnerable position. We understand that it’s a tough subject to tackle but without the right awareness and knowledge of cyber security your school could be at risk from attacks and security threats, which will impact teachers, partnerships, sponsors, pupils (anyone or anything relating to your community!)
This information may sound alarming, but it’s important to ensure that those who work within your school are well informed about threats as well as the processes that can be put in place to prevent security breaches.
What Are the Services That Can Support?
Here are just some of the services that we offer, to keep what’s important to you, protected:
- Cyber Security Audits – review your schools’ policy and stance around information security with this unique tool
- Mimecast Awareness Training – designed to help you raise awareness of security
- Bitdefender software – software to strengthen systems
- Data protection services – ensure your school is confident to comply with GDPR
Cyber Security Awareness Month is the ideal time to make sure that your school has the correct policies and practices in place, to keep information and data protected.
Discover how we can support you by visiting our Information Security & Data Protection page. Alternatively, learn how your school can improve its approach to cyber security by visiting our social media pages and by keeping an eye on our #CyberSecurityAwarenessMonth posts!
