We use cookies to give you the best experience and to help improve our website

Find out more about how we use cookies

Choose whether to use cookies:

No thanks That's fine

Skip to main content

Jisc

You are in:

  • News
  • Ransomware: ‘Act now, before it’s too late’

Utilities:

  • Search the Jisc website
    Clear search results

Search the Jisc website
Clear search results

Navigation:

News

Ransomware: ‘Act now, before it’s too late’

23 March 2021

The education sector is currently being targeted with ransomware attacks and, for some colleges and universities, the impact has been devastating. 

Jisc has issued advice over the past few weeks1 to help members protect their systems, and the security team has been working hard to help impacted institutions mitigate and recover from attacks.  

As part of an ongoing relationship, Jisc has also been working closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to investigate the incidents and backs the release today of its urgent guidance for IT and security staff at schools and further and higher education providers.

This follows a similar NCSC alert issued in September 2020, after a similar spate of ransomware attacks during late summer.   

Jisc’s executive director of e-infrastructure, Steve Kennett, urges members to act now, before it’s too late: 

“I cannot emphasise strongly enough how important it is for colleges and universities to heed the advice from Jisc and the NCSC to ensure their systems are patched and up to date.  

“The consequences of not doing so will be very serious, including the loss of all key systems. Members that have suffered attacks have found it very difficult to function. Some have been forced to temporarily close their campuses and all will be feeling the financial, logistical and reputational effects for some time to come. 

"Like all sectors, the education and research community needs to work constantly to respond to threats and reduce the risks by building strong defences. Right now, that means following the NCSC’s ransomware advice.”   

Further information 

Any Jisc member needing support to prevent cyber security incidents or recover from attacks should contact the Janet Network computer security incident response team (CSIRT) via irt@jisc.ac.uk or 0300 999 2340. 

Cyber security guidance will be a key topic on day three of Jisc’s free-to-attend, annual Networkshop event taking place next month (27-29 April).  

Footnotes

  • 1 Ransomware: are your systems well protected?, 16 March 2021 - Jisc blog by John Chapman: https://www.jisc.ac.uk/blog/ransomware-are-your-systems-well-protected-1...

Share this

Most read
  • Ground-breaking open research platform, Octopus, to launch
  • New report helps steer education providers to a cleaner, greener future
  • Beyond the Technology: Rethinking assessment and feedback - unlocking the power of comparison based feedback
  • The power of student partnerships in digital transformation
  • AI in Education: Pedagogy first - providing personalised learning
Related
  • New advice helps education and research community prevent ransomware attacks
  • ‘Check cyber defenses in view of increased threat from Russia’
  • Sector builds cyber security resilience but there’s no room for complacency
  • Organised cyber intelligence sharing will boost sector safety
  • Cyber security staff training courses help build up first line of defence

Share this

You may also like…

Blog

Ransomware: are your systems well protected?

Jisc and other expert organisations have been issuing advice to help protect the education and research sector against a spate of ...
Blog

Coronavirus scams: how to spot them

Phishing scams are on the rise due to hackers taking advantage of the fear and ...

You are in:

  • News
  • Ransomware: ‘Act now, before it’s too late’

Areas

  • Connectivity
  • Cyber security
  • Cloud
  • Data analytics
  • Libraries, learning resources and research
  • Student experience
  • Trust and identity
  • Advice and guidance

Explore

  • Guides
  • Training
  • Consultancy
  • Events
  • R&D

Useful

  • About
  • Membership
  • Get involved
  • News
  • Jobs

Get in touch

  • Contact us
  • Sign up to our newsletter
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Cookies
  • Privacy
  • Modern slavery
  • Carbon reduction plan
  • Accessibility