In June 2024, Billericay School in Essex declared a “critical incident” after a ransomware attack brought its systems to a standstill. The school, which serves over 1,500 students, found itself grappling with compromised IT infrastructure and the potential exposure of sensitive data.
The attack, which encrypted large portions of the school’s network, forced administrators to temporarily shut down all systems as they attempted to assess the full scale of the breach. With operational chaos in full swing, students and staff were left unable to access vital online platforms for teaching, communication, and administrative tasks.
Ransomware attacks have become an increasingly common threat to educational institutions, as schools and universities often hold valuable data and are perceived to have limited cybersecurity resources. In the case of Billericay School, the ransomware threat included the possibility of sensitive student information being leaked unless a ransom was paid. The school has not confirmed whether any payment demands were made.
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Billericay School sought external cybersecurity assistance to help regain control of its network. The school’s IT team worked in coordination with law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts to identify the point of entry for the attack and begin the arduous process of restoring systems.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has repeatedly warned that ransomware attacks on the education sector are on the rise. With budgets stretched thin, schools are often less equipped to implement the multi-layered security frameworks necessary to prevent these types of attacks. However, there are critical steps every institution can take to protect itself, such as implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), ensuring regular system updates, and conducting frequent security audits.
This incident underscores the urgent need for schools to review and strengthen their cybersecurity policies. While Billericay School is expected to fully recover, the attack serves as a stark reminder of the ever-growing cybersecurity challenges facing the education sector.
