Ransomware attack on Fylde Coast Academy Trust impacted multiple primary schools

Blackpool-based Fylde Coast Academy Trust suffered a significant data security incident that affected daily operations at all the schools managed by the trust.

 

Established in 2012 through a partnership between Blackpool Sixth Form College and Hodgson Academy, Fylde Coast Academy Trust manages a network of ten academies, primary schools and high schools across Lancashire, including Armfield and Aspire academies.

 

According to BBC, the Blackpool-based trust suffered a ransomware attack last week that involved threat actors infiltrating the trust’s internal network and planting a ransomware, possibly to extort money from the trust in exchange of a decryption key.

 

The cyber security incident has affected all ten schools managed by the trust, including Blackpool’s Armfield, Aspire, Montgomery and Unity high schools and Gateway, Mereside, Westcliff and Westminster primary schools. Hambleton Primary Academy and Garstang Community Academy were also affected.

 

Dean Logan, the CEO of Fylde Coast Academy Trust, said the trust has launched an investigation, with assistance from Cyber Clan, a Canadian cyber security company, to determine the scope of the incident.

 

Logan added that the ransomware attack has resulted in limited accessibility to its computers, printers, and other systems connected to the network. Communication channels including phone lines of the trust has also been impacted. CEO Logan has requested all parents and caregivers to contact schools “only when necessary.”

 

The Trust has notified the Department of Education about the incident and is working with them to resolve the incident at the earliest, however, a definite time frame wasn’t provided.

 

In a statement shared with the media, CEO Logan said, “Our focus remains in providing the highest possible care and education for pupils during this recovery.

 

“Leaders, teachers, support staff and pupils have responded very positively and with resilience. The skills and knowledge learnt during the Covid-19 pandemic have provided reassurance and confidence in dealing with this challenge.

 

“We are very grateful for the support being received, the offers of support from the local authority, other school trusts as well as our school communities who are all pulling together to beat this challenge,” Logan added.