Hackers encrypt Billericay School's IT network, force it to cancel classes

Essex-based Billericay School suffered a significant data security incident that involved hackers encrypting its entire IT network and stalling daily operations.

 

In a letter to parents, the school’s head teacher Patrick Berry said that during the half term holiday, the school suffered a significant “cyber/malware attack”. The school immediately launched an investigation, and engaged cyber security experts, to determine the nature and scope of the incident.

 

“Whilst the school has taken all of the precautionary security measures to deal with any such cyber threat, with industry standard firewalls, firmware and malware security, this attack has resulted in all of the school IT system being compromised and inaccessible by a complex encryption.

 

“Whilst our IT support staff are working hard to resolve the issue and have already made significant progress in restoring the required systems, the situation as it stands is significantly affecting our ability to operate the school safely and effectively,” reads the letter.

 

On Monday, the school was closed for students of year 7,8,9 and 12, but gave students the option to use remote learning platforms such as Sparx, Tassomai, Educake, Oak Academy and BBC Bitesize.

 

“Students in Years 7 - 9 can use the time to prepare for their assessments using any guidance already available on their year or class Google Classroom. Class teachers may also add additional specific tasks in some instances and students should check their class Google Classrooms for these.

 

Students in Year 12 can prepare for their upcoming PPEs and check their year or class Google Classroom,” Berry added.

 

While the encryption malware affected the school’s network significantly, the institution’s IT team made "significant progress" in resolving the issue.

 

The school is yet to share details on who is behind the cyber attack of how the threat actors infiltrated its internal systems. It has, however, assured concerned parents and guardians that it will share further updates about the incident as and when available.