Secure Schools, one of the ECRC’s valued Cyber Essentials Partners, have just launched a free cybersecurity handbook, to help schools navigate their online security over the next academic year.

Secure Schools are a team of cyber security experts and educationalists, that specialise in helping schools and academy trusts navigate their cybersecurity. They are passionate about empowering schools with technology, and diligent in their efforts to keep children and young adults safe in education. In amongst their many services and solutions, this handbook has been created as a free resource for schools and academy trusts to access.

Each year, schools and academy trusts in the UK are required to meet increasing expectations from authorities and stakeholders. These requirements are published by multiple organisations, in the form of handbooks, schedules of musts, standards, eligibility requirements, advice and guidance. Navigating these expectations can be a challenge, particularly when they are not coming from one centralised place. This is why Secure Schools have stepped in to simplify the process.

The School Cybersecurity Handbook 2024-2025 is a handy free tool that details the cybersecurity expectations and standards that are placed on schools. In one document, they outline the expectations, ways to meet them, and ways in which they can help. Schools can use this document to find expectations from the following:

• The Department for Education’s Cyber Security Standards 2024

• The ESFA Academy Trust Handbook 2024

• The Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA)

• Keep Children Safe in Education Requirements

• The National Cyber Security Centre

If you would like to download the handbook you can do so here: https://hubs.la/Q02P4HMF0.

To find out more about Secure Schools and the various ways in which they can help, please visit their website. 

Reporting a live cyber-attack 24/7:

If you are a business, charity or other organisation which is currently suffering a live cyber-attack (in progress) please call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 immediately. This service is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Reporting a cyber-attack which is not ongoing:

Please report online to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. You can report cybercrime online at any time using the online reporting tool, which will guide you through simple questions to identify what has happened. Action Fraud advisors can also provide the help, support, and advice you need.

Alternatively, you can call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (textphone 0300 123 2050)