Cyber Crime
Is Your School Next? Ransomware Attack Forces UK High to Shut Down

Blacon High School in Chester, northwest England, announced it would close for at least two days following a ransomware attack that struck on January 17. The school, unable to guarantee a swift recovery, has not ruled out additional closures later this week.
Despite the disruption, students have not been granted a day off. Teachers have prepared assignments accessible via Google Classroom, and the school remains open for students needing to collect lunch.
Ongoing Investigation into the Attack
The ransomware attack has left most of the school’s IT systems inoperable. Headteacher Rachel Hudson confirmed that an independent cybersecurity firm has been engaged to assess the situation. However, she refrained from commenting on whether sensitive data was compromised, stating, “Until this is completed, I will not be able to provide any further details on any potential data breach.”
Temporary Measures in Place
To maintain operations, the school has set up alternative systems. A temporary phone line is available, and updates will be shared via the school’s website, social media, and the Parent Pay platform. Hudson emphasized the priority of resuming normal operations, especially for Year 11 students preparing for exams, saying, “I will update you as soon as we know more and will aim to open once again to students as soon as we can.”
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Part of a Growing Crisis
This incident marks the second major ransomware attack on the UK’s public sector within a week. On January 15, the Medusa ransomware gang targeted Gateshead Council, leaking personally identifiable information (PII) of residents and staff while demanding a $600,000 ransom.
Unlike the Gateshead attack, no ransomware group has claimed responsibility for the BlaconHigh School breach. However, the rising frequency of such attacks highlights the vulnerability of public sector organizations.
Hudson acknowledged the broader context, stating, “Unfortunately, cyberattacks like this are happening more frequently despite having the latest security measures in place. This has sadly been experienced by the NHS, National Rail, other public sector departments, and schools.”
Broader Public Sector Challenges
The UK government is currently deliberating a ban on ransom payments by public sector organizations and critical national infrastructure (CNI) entities. One proposed measure extends to private companies, requiring them to secure government approval for any ransom payments.
This move comes as the government prepares to release a report on January 21, highlighting the vulnerabilities posed by outdated public sector technology. According to preliminary findings, 25% of central government IT systems are outdated, with some departments reporting a staggering 70% of systems deemed “red-rated” for security risks.
For state schools like Blacon High, the situation is exacerbated by chronic underfunding, leaving them ill-equipped to defend against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.