Schools warned of cyberattack threat as new year begins

Published

1 year ago

September 4, 2023

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School leaders have been warned they must prepare for the threat of cyberattacks as the new academic year begins.

The National Cyber Security Centre said “appropriate security measures” should be in place to defend against any threats and prevent disruption.

While there is no indication of an increased threat ahead of schools going back this week, the start of a new term means the impact of any attack could be more keenly felt than at other times of year.

Don Smith, vice president of the counter-threat unit at cybersecurity firm Secureworks, said it was a “time of change” that presented opportunities for criminals.

He told Sky News creating accounts for new pupils and staff, as well as a school’s stance on portable devices like laptops and tablets, could create vulnerabilities.

“Summer is a time when people are using their devices to have fun, play games, that sort of thing,” he said.

“If you’ve allowed teachers and pupils to take devices home, or let them bring their own, these devices may have picked up infections and malware that can come into the school and create a problem.”

Last September, just weeks into the new term, six schools in the same academy trust in Hertfordshire had their internal systems brought down by a cyberattack.

And on Friday, Debenham High School in Suffolk saw a hack take all of its computer facilities taken offline, leaving technicians scrambling to restore them before term starts.

Schools are not usually specifically hit by concentrated attack campaigns like businesses, but are seen as opportunistic targets as their defences tend to be less robust than other institutions.

‘Critical’ that staff and students understand threats

Mr Smith said limited budgets and spending priorities meant schools’ cyber defences may be lacking.

He stressed the need for “basic digital hygiene” to help protect important data, such as setting up two-factor authentication when logging into a school account and keeping computers and their software up to date.

Students and teachers should also be regularly reminded of how to stay safe, including the importance of strong passwords, avoiding suspicious downloads, and recognising phishing attempts in emails.

“Gone are the days when cybersecurity was the responsibility of a small team in IT,” Mr Smith said.

“Users are the front line of cybersecurity – a general cyber literacy and awareness of the basics is critical.”

A recent study found one in seven 15-year-olds are at risk of responding to a phishing email – this is when fraudsters draw you in with an email that looks legitimate, but directs you to web pages designed to steal data.

The international research involving University College London found this rose to one in five among teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds, with those who also have weaker cognitive skills most at risk.

Study author Professor John Jerrim warned “more needs to be done” to help teenagers navigate an “increasingly complex and dangerous online world”.

Schools are ‘powerhouses of data’

The National Cyber Security Centre, which is part of GCHQ, has previously warned of an increase in ransomware attacks affecting the education sector.

This is when criminals gain access to a victim’s network to plant malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until money is paid.

According to a threat report by cybersecurity company SonicWall, overall ransomware attacks slumped to a four-year low during the first quarter of 2023 but have been steadily on the rise since then.

SonicWall’s Spencer Starkey told Sky News schools were “powerhouses of data” that would make appealing targets for hackers looking to carry out financial and phishing scams.

“Schools going back next week must prioritise cybersecurity from a budgetary and mindset perspective,” he said, especially as schools increasingly rely on internet-based tools in the classroom.

A Department for Education spokesperson said education providers are responsible “for ensuring they are aware of cybersecurity risks” and “putting the appropriate measures in place”.

This includes data backups and response plans for when an incident may occur.

“We monitor reports of all cyberattacks closely and in any case where there has been an attack, we instruct the department’s regional team to offer support,” they added.

“There is no evidence to suggest that attacks like this are on the rise.”

UK

MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace steps down as Kirsty Wark among 13 who claim he made inappropriate sexual jokes

Published

3 hours ago

November 28, 2024

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MasterChef's Gregg Wallace steps down as Kirsty Wark among 13 who claim he made inappropriate sexual jokes

MasterChef host Gregg Wallace has stepped down over allegations he made a series of inappropriate sexual comments on a range of programmes over 17 years.

Broadcaster Kirsty Wark is among 13 people who have made claims, with Wallace being investigated by MasterChef’s production company Banijay UK.

In an interview with the BBC, the Newsnight presenter, who was a celebrity contestant on MasterChef in 2011, claimed Wallace used “sexualised language”.

“There were two occasions in particular where he used sexualised language in front of a number of people and it wasn’t as if it was anyone engaged with this,” Wark said.

“It was completely one-way traffic. I think people were uncomfortable and something that I really didn’t expect to happen.”

Sky News has contacted Wallace’s representative for comment.

‘Fully cooperating’

Banijay UK said the complaints were made to the BBC this week by “individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct while working with Gregg Wallace on one of our shows”.

The company said the 60-year-old, who has been a co-presenter and judge of the popular cooking show since 2005, was “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process”.

“Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay UK, we feel that it is appropriate to conduct an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate,” the company said.

“While this review is under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully co-operating throughout the process.

“Banijay UK’s duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations regarding behaviour are made clear to both cast and crew on all productions, with multiple ways of raising concerns, including anonymously, clearly promoted on set.

“Whilst these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met, are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.”

A BBC spokesman said: “We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them.

“We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated.

“Where an individual is contracted directly by an external production company we share any complaints or concerns with that company and we will always support them when addressing them.”

Previous investigation

Last month, Wallace responded to reports that a previous BBC review had found he could continue working at the corporation following reports of an alleged incident in 2018 when he appeared on Impossible Celebrities.

Wallace said those claims had been investigated “promptly” at the time and said he had not said “anything sexual” while appearing on the game show more than half a decade ago.

In an Instagram post following an article in The Sun newspaper, he wrote: “The story that’s hitting the newspapers was investigated promptly when it happened six years ago by the BBC.

“And the outcome of that was that I hadn’t said anything sexual. I’ll need to repeat this again. I didn’t say anything sexual.”

Alongside MasterChef, Wallace presented Inside The Factory for BBC Two from 2015.

Wallace has featured on various BBC shows over the years, including Saturday Kitchen, Eat Well For Less, Supermarket Secrets, Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals, as well as being a Strictly Come Dancing contestant in 2014.

He was made an MBE for services to food and charity last year.

Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals featuring Wallace will be transmitted as planned, the PA news agency understands.

UK

Every pensioner in Scotland to receive winter fuel payment next year

Published

3 hours ago

November 28, 2024

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Every pensioner in Scotland to receive winter fuel payment next year

The Scottish government has announced that all pensioners in Scotland will receive a winter fuel payment in 2025/26.

The devolved benefit is expected to come into force by next winter and will help the estimated 900,000 people north of the border who were cut off from accessing the winter fuel payment which used to be universal.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville announced the news in a statement to the Scottish parliament on Thursday.

It comes after both the UK and Scottish governments earlier this year axed the universal winter fuel payment, except for those in receipt of pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

At Westminster, Chancellor Rachel Reeves claimed the decision was made due to financial woes inherited from the previous Conservative government.

Ms Reeves said the restriction would save the Treasury around £1.4bn this financial year.

The decision led to the Scottish government – which was due to take control over a similar payment through the devolved Social Security Scotland but has since announced a delay – to follow suit.

The payment is a devolved matter in Scotland and Northern Ireland, however the SNP government said Labour’s approach would cause up to a £160m cut to Scottish funding in 2024-25.

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Officers investigated over death of teenager with autism who escaped police car on M5

Published

3 hours ago

November 28, 2024

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Officers investigated over death of teenager with autism who escaped police car on M5

Two police officers have been served with misconduct notices after a teenager with autism escaped from a police car and died on the M5.

Tamzin Hall, from Wellington, was hit by a car on the M5 between junction 25 at Taunton and 24 at Bridgwater shortly after 11pm on 11 November and sustained fatal injuries.

She had been under arrest at the time and was travelling in an Avon and Somerset Police car which had stopped on the motorway, an inquest at Wells Town Hall heard on Tuesday.

Tamzin was being taken to custody when officers pulled over for “safety reasons”, the Independent Office for Police Conduct said.

She had been handcuffed with her hands in front of her and had an officer sat beside her, the IOPC added.

She fled the stationary marked police car on the northbound carriageway and died after she was hit by a car on the southbound carriageway.

In a statement the IOPC said the two officers from Avon and Somerset Police had been served misconduct notices for a “potential breach of their duties and responsibilities”.

Such notices advise officers their conduct is subject to an investigation, but does not necessarily mean any disciplinary proceedings will follow.

IOPC regional director David Ford said: “My thoughts and sympathies remain with Tamzin’s family and friends, and everyone affected by the tragic events of that evening.

“We have met with Tamzin’s family to offer our condolences and to outline how our investigation will progress. We will provide them with regular updates as our inquiries continue.

“Our investigation is in the early stages and we are working hard to establish the exact circumstances of what took place, from the time of Tamzin’s arrest, to how events unfolded a short time later on the M5.”

The IOPC began its investigation earlier this month and is looking into what contact the police had with Tamzin prior to her death, including their actions, decision-making and risk assessments of the situation, and whether these followed the relevant training and policies.

Mother pays tribute to ‘very special’ daughter

Speaking after the hearing on Tuesday, Tamzin’s mother Amy Hall paid tribute to her “very special” daughter, who she said had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

“Tamzin was the most kindest, caring, loving, loyal girl ever. She was the most honest person I’ve ever known; she was very special to me,” she said.

“She had a great sense of humour, and we had many laughs together.”

She added: “Tamzin was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, so she was unique and saw the world in such a different way.

“Tamzin was my absolute everything and I can’t believe she isn’t here any more. She was my world.”

She said: “She was only 17 but she has taught me a lot and I can use that memory and hold on to that.

“I will never ever get over it, she was taken far too young.”

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