Cybersecurity for Schools & Universities
The DfE Cyber Security Standards (January 2023) make governors personally accountable for school cybersecurity. Ransomware shut down the Harris Federation's 50 schools for weeks and contributed to Lincoln College's permanent closure. EdTech supply chain attacks — MOVEit, Pearson, Capita — expose pupil data without schools being directly breached. Here is everything UK schools, colleges, and universities need to stay compliant and protected.
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DfE Cyber Security Standards for Schools and Colleges
DfE Cyber Security Standards (January 2023) — governors of all English schools and colleges are accountable for meeting defined cybersecurity requirements.
Ransomware Attacks on Schools and Universities
Harris Federation: ransomware took 50 schools offline for weeks in April 2021. Lincoln College cited ransomware as a contributing factor to its permanent closure in 2022.
Harris Federation Ransomware Attack 2021
Harris Federation: Vice Society ransomware took 50 schools offline simultaneously in April 2021 — one of the largest education sector ransomware incidents ever recorded in the UK.
GDPR for Schools
ICO has fined multiple UK schools for GDPR breaches — inadequate security, unlawful CCTV, and failure to protect sensitive pupil data.
The Complete School Cybersecurity Guide
NCSC: 32 significant cyberattacks on UK education in 2020. Harris Federation: 50 schools offline for weeks. Lincoln College: ransomware contributed to permanent closure. UK schools are targets.
School Cyber Risk Assessment
The DfE Cyber Security Standards (January 2023) require governors to ensure schools meet defined requirements across five domains. This tool shows where your school stands.
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Protect your institution
Kyanite Blue works with schools, multi-academy trusts, further education colleges, and universities — building security programmes that satisfy DfE standards, Cyber Essentials, and GDPR requirements while defending against ransomware and EdTech supply chain threats.
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