School 'acts swiftly' after targeted cyber attack

Alice Cunningham
BBC News, Suffolk
PA Media A person uses one hand to type on a laptop device. PA Media
A Suffolk school said it had identified a "cyber security incident"

A school has confirmed it was targeted by a cyber attack just days after national retailers were similarly hit.

Framlingham College, a boarding and day school for pupils aged three to 18 in Suffolk, said it had identified a "cyber security incident" on Thursday.

A spokesperson for the school said it had "acted swiftly to isolate the issue" and it remained fully operational with no disruption to teaching or examinations.

While it was unknown who was behind the attack, similarly incidents have been seen at Marks and Spencer, Co-op and Harrods in the last two weeks.

Google A general view of the entrance into Framlingham College. A blue sign reads the school's name and trees are lined outside the school's main front building. Google
Framlingham College said it remained fully operational despite the cyber attack

"Framlingham College recently identified a cyber security incident," the college spokesperson said.

"We acted swiftly to isolate the issue and have been working closely with specialist technical experts to resolve it.

"The College remains fully operational, and our focus continues to be on delivering outstanding education and pastoral care to our pupils."

The school later added that it continued to work closely with specialist technical experts to monitor the situation and "ensure all systems remain secure".

Suffolk Police has been approached for comment.

The retailers hit by similar attacks have said they were working to manage the situation.

The National Cyber Security Centre, the government agency for cyber security, said it was working with those affected and law enforcement over the incidents.

It also warned cyber criminals were impersonating IT help desks to break into organisations and urged organisations to review their IT help desk "password reset processes" to minimise the chances of getting hacked.

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