The Billericay School in Essex recently declared a “significant critical incident” following a cyber attack that compromised its IT systems during the half-term holiday. Head teacher Patrick Berry informed parents through a letter, emphasizing that the attack occurred despite robust security measures, including industry-standard firewalls, firmware, and malware protection. The cyber attack resulted in complex encryption of the entire school’s IT system, rendering it inaccessible and severely impacting the school’s ability to operate safely and effectively.
In response to the attack, IT staff have been working diligently and have made considerable progress in resolving the issue. However, the school faced immediate operational challenges, leading to the closure of Year 7, 8, 9, and 12 classes on Monday to allow staff to prepare lessons without access to their usual digital resources. This disruption is part of a broader trend, as a BBC report highlighted a significant increase in cyber incidents within the education and childcare sector, with 347 reported in 2023—a 55% rise from the previous year.
The government data suggested that most schools and colleges have experienced a cybersecurity breach in the past year, often leading to temporary closures and extended disruptions. The Billericay School’s proactive measures in response to this incident underscore the growing need for heightened cybersecurity protocols in educational institutions to safeguard against such attacks. The school continues to work on fully restoring its systems while ensuring the safety and continuity of education for its students.
