West Lothian schools in Scotland have fallen victim to a suspected criminal ransomware cyberattack, impacting their education network. The attack has led to disruption, but West Lothian Council is enacting contingency plans to ensure minimal interference with school operations. Despite the attack, there is no evidence that sensitive or personal data has been accessed at this point. The council is working closely with Police Scotland and the Scottish government to investigate the matter further.
Ransomware, a form of malware that locks users out of devices and encrypted files, is believed to be the cause. Although a criminal investigation is ongoing, the council has not confirmed any ransom demands or payment requests at this time. The council spokesperson assured that all West Lothian schools would remain open, and SQA examinations would proceed as scheduled. At present, there is no indication that other council networks are impacted.
To prevent further disruption, the council has taken measures to allow schools to continue with normal operations, despite the ongoing cyberattack. The 13 secondary schools, 69 primary schools, and 61 nurseries in the region will operate as usual this week. The National Cyber Security Centre has offered guidance on ransomware, and authorities are focused on mitigating the damage while keeping schools functioning.
As the investigation continues, local authorities are taking steps to secure education networks and prevent future incidents. The extent of the attack is still being determined, and the council is committed to resolving the issue with minimal disruption. West Lothian residents are urged to remain informed through official channels as the situation develops.
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