After a survey revealed 1 in 3 teachers lack cybersecurity training, Ofqual reminds schools to boost defenses against potential cyber incidents
Ofqual is reminding schools and colleges of the importance of cybersecurity after a poll highlighted the risks associated with poor cyber hygiene.
The prompt comes as a Teacher Tapp survey found 1 in 3 secondary teachers did not have cybersecurity training, in the last academic year. Ofqual’s Executive Director of General Qualifications Amanda Swann said, “Losing coursework that is the result of many hours of hard work is every student’s nightmare. Even more distressing is losing a whole class or year group’s coursework because of weak cyber security on a school or college IT system.
Many schools and colleges take cybersecurity seriously, but this poll highlights that there is more to be done. I would encourage schools and colleges to visit the National Cyber Security Centre’s school resource guide to learn how to defend against cyberattacks.”
The poll, which surveyed teachers across England, also found that 34% of schools and colleges in England experienced a cyber incident during the last academic year. The north-west was hit hardest, with 40% of schools which responded having had a cyber incident, compared with 28% in the east of England.
Teachers who had experienced a cyber incident were asked how it affected them, their colleagues and students. One teacher said, “It caused a dip in belief about the security of our systems and led to difficult conversations with parents.”
For tips designed for schools on how to defend against cyberattacks, SBLs can visit the National Cyber Security Centre school resources page.
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