UK Intelligence Services to Shield Schools from Ransomware Attacks

British intelligence services are stepping up efforts to protect schools across the UK from ransomware attacks, offering a free service designed to prevent online threats. The initiative, led by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), aims to enhance digital security in educational institutions nationwide.

 

On Tuesday, the NCSC, part of GCHQ, announced the nationwide rollout of its Protective Domain Name System (PDNS) for Schools service. The service, developed by the NCSC and delivered in partnership with Cloudflare and Accenture, aims to safeguard schools from cyberattacks by blocking access to known malicious domains.

 

Schools are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, with attacks risking not only disruption to education but also the exposure of sensitive student data. Last year, a record 131 cyber incidents were reported in the childcare and education sector, according to the data protection regulator. Preliminary data indicates that at least 47 schools fell victim to ransomware attacks in the first half of this year, compromising personal data in the process.

 

The PDNS for Schools service employs the same technology that currently protects central government, emergency services, and the Ministry of Defence. It operates by blocking connections to a continually updated list of malicious domains, some identified using intelligence only accessible to UK security services.

 

Sarah Lyons, NCSC’s deputy director for economy and society, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “With a growing range of cyber threats, it has never been more important to protect our educational environments from online threats. The PDNS for Schools service offers a crucial layer of protection, helping schools defend against common online threats, at no cost.”

 

Schools can enrol in the PDNS for Schools service by registering through their DNS provider via MyNCSC. This initiative aims to ensure that the UK’s educational institutions remain resilient against the growing threat of ransomware and other cyberattacks.