Cyberattack Hits Schools Across Lancashire: Fylde Coast Academy Trust Affected

Schools across Lancashire are currently facing a major crisis as they have been hit by a cyberattack, disrupting their computer systems. The Fylde Coast Academy Trust in Blackpool confirmed that they have fallen victim to a ransomware attack, severely limiting their system accessibility.

Dean Logan, the CEO of the trust, stated that they are working with government’s risk protection arrangements and a cybersecurity team to recover from the attack. It will take several days for services to be restored and assess the full impact of the breach.

In response to the attack, the trust has resorted to non-IT based processes to meet their duties and minimize the impact on classrooms. They are striving to provide the highest level of care and education to pupils during this challenging time.

Dr. Darren Williams, CEO and Founder of Blackfog, highlighted the urgent need for advanced cybersecurity technologies in the education sector to combat the rising threat of ransomware attacks. The recent incident has forced all 10 schools in the Blackpool trust to revert to manual processes, underscoring the vulnerabilities of traditional cybersecurity tools.

As the situation unfolds, stakeholders are being kept informed about the progress of restoring services, with a focus on prioritizing core functions first. The trust is grateful for the support received from the government, local authorities, and other school communities as they work together to overcome this cyber challenge.