St Augustine Academy, a secondary school located in Maidstone, Kent, has fallen victim to a criminal cyber attack that has resulted in the encryption of pupil and parental data. Principal Jason Feldwick confirmed the occurrence of a “serious IT breach” on a Wednesday, shedding light on the severity of the situation.
The breach was attributed to an “outside criminal organisation” that encrypted the school’s systems and data, creating significant disruption.
In response to the attack, the school has vowed to inform relevant authorities and embark on the development of a backup solution, although the specific nature of the cyberattack remains undisclosed.
The involvement of ransomware, a malicious software used to extort money from victims, has not been confirmed. As a precautionary measure, Mr. Feldwick advised parents and carers to exercise “extra vigilance” in case they receive any suspicious emails or phone calls.
Councillor Chris Passmore emphasized the far-reaching impact of cyber attacks, emphasizing that no one is immune to such threats. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining robust cybersecurity measures and constant vigilance in an increasingly digital world.
