Bursar’s Review Summer 2019.

Martin Taylor, head of commercial at specialist education insurance provider, Endsleigh, explains how the independent education sector can safeguard against cybercrime. Independent but insecure The sustained integration of technology into the schoolroom over the past two decades has undoubtedly changed the art of teaching for the better. Yet, technological innovation has also fostered the emergence of a new breed of criminals, who have schools set firmly in their sights. With sensitive pupil data on file, as well as the financial details of fee-paying parents and guardians, cybercrime is now one of the fastest growing risks to independent schools. How then, can independent schools stay one step ahead of cyber criminals? And what procedures should be put in place to safeguard against security breaches, mitigate reputational damage, and assure parents that their child – and their data – is secure? Cyber security breaches can easily result in a loss of income if worried parents decide to move children elsewhere IT Guarding against cybercrime Cybercrime is now one of the fastest growing risks risks to independent schools Proactivity should be at the heart of a truly effective cyber resilience strategy Protection software should be regularly updated, and installed on all operating devices No matter the history, size or reputation of a school, the nature of modern life has left all organisations at risk of cyber-attacks. Increasingly identified as ‘easy pickings’ for cyber criminals, the number of attacks on independent schools has sharply risen in recent years. Crucially, the trend is showing no sign of abating and the sophistication of such attacks will only continue to increase. Remit for responsibility One cyber security issue that comes up frequently in conversation with stakeholders across the independent education sector is that of ownership. Given the sensitive pupil information that schools are privy to, it goes without saying that the issues of cyber security and safeguarding are inextricably linked. Summer 2019 www.theisba.org.uk 12