Across the education sector, Centres are making increased use of technology to assist in their delivery. With working and learning using digital technology, sharing data, accessing websites, and downloading apps and software; these activities are now ingrained in our everyday lives and can present risks and put your Centre in danger of a cyberattack.
The Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2022, published by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) highlighted that Among those surveyed who identified:
- Around half of businesses (49%) and almost half of charities (44%) say they experience breaches or attacks at least once a month or more.
- Around three in ten businesses (31%) and a quarter of charities (26%) say they experience breaches or attacks at least once a week.
Preventative steps
Some cyberattacks are the result of human error, such as an employee falling for a phishing email or clicking on a dangerous link. These attacks can have devastating consequences including reputational and financial damage. Centres need to take action to encourage cyber hygiene and cyber-safe behaviour to prevent these attacks from being successful.
The key to tackling evolving threats will be with relevant, up-to-date knowledge and skills.
Discover essential hints and tips to keep you and your learners safe online with our Are you and your learners Cyber safe? Webinar.
Raising cybersecurity awareness
Cybersecurity awareness is becoming increasingly important, as the number of attacks continues to rise. We urge centres to provide learners with the necessary cyber awareness to prevent future cyberattacks that have devastating effects on businesses and the economy.
Many learners will be going into jobs that involve working online and with potentially sensitive data, so ensuring they know how to operate online safely is essential. This will enable employees to enter their working lives aware of possible threats and will help to prevent successful attacks in the future.
Plus, increasing learners’ awareness will also benefit them in their personal lives, with the number of scams targeting consumers at an all-time high.
More articles:
- The three Russian cyber-attacks the West fears the most– bbc.co.uk
- UK data watchdog urges vigilance amid heightened cyber threat– guardian.com
- Government security centre warns colleges of ‘spike’ in cyber attacks– feweek.co.uk
- Cyberattacks see 114% Increase in the last 2 years on Education Sector before Back-to-School– feweek.co.uk
Read more about how Halesowen College use E-Safety as part of its pastoral curriculum in our case study
It’s time for Cybersecurity to become a cornerstone in the curriculum
Cybersecurity qualifications can prepare learners for the digital world, for learning, in the workplace and beyond. With remote and hybrid working a part of employers’ offer, showing learners have successfully completed a cybersecurity qualification evidences that they can undertake a specific role in the workplace and that they may be relied upon by employers to safeguard themselves and others when using online technologies.
The Level 1 Award in Cybersecurity and Level 2 Award in Cybersecurity are modern, up-to-date qualifications covering aspects of e-safety and helping keep your staff and learners safe online and protect against online threats.
Benefits of these qualifications, which centres are using as the new eSafety qualification, include:
- fully funded (subject to learner eligibility),
- no final external assessment – achievement marked through a portfolio of evidence,
- achievement of regulated standalone qualification,
- opportunity to embed into the curriculum in different ways,
- covers key topical issues.
If you would like to find out more about our Cybersecurity qualifications, speak to the Business Development team by calling 01206 911 240, or contact us online.
Help provide evidence to Ofsted
Cybersecurity qualifications can help your Centre provide evidence to Ofsted of safeguarding measures. Your learners and teachers will be trained in online dangers and ways to guard against them.
Free resources
Support your delivery of our Level 1 Award in Cybersecurity and Level 2 Award in Cybersecurity and eSafety with a free set of teaching and learning resources and developing learners’ understanding of how protective measures are used to maintain cybersecurity.
Find out more about our Cybersecurity resources
These resources are available for free in Prism for approved Centres and include a Learner Pack, Teaching Resource Guide and a ready-to-deliver PowerPoint.
Guidance on how you can access them.
Notify us of any cyberattacks
We would also like to take this opportunity to remind our Centres that under the Centre Agreement, both parties must notify each other within 24 hours of any cyberattack experienced. This is particularly important when there is any risk of personal data or system access being compromised. As joint data controllers, this reciprocity protects both parties and ensures we work together towards a resolution that does not adversely affect learners.
Updated February 2023