Cyberattacks on UK Schools: Real Incidents and UK Statistics

Giovanni Setyawan
Jan 14
3 min read

For years, cyber crime was widely seen as a problem only faced by large enterprises and global corporations. But that belief is no longer true, and nowhere is this more visible than in the UK education sector.

From primary schools to universities, cyberattacks on schools in the UK are happening frequently, quietly, and with serious consequences. Schools hold sensitive data, often run on limited budgets, and rely heavily on digital systems. This combination makes them attractive and vulnerable targets.

This blog breaks down the latest UK statistics, answers the most common questions, and explains why schools and SMEs alike must rethink cyber risk.

What Percentage of Schools in the UK Have Had a Cyber Attack?

The short answer is more than most people expect. According to the UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey:

44% of primary schools reported at least one cyber attack or breach in the past year.
60% of secondary schools were affected.
85% of further education colleges experienced cyber incidents.
91% of universities reported cyber attacks.

This means most secondary schools, colleges, and universities in the UK have already been hit. This directly challenges the idea that attackers only target large organisations. In reality, schools are among the most frequently attacked sectors in the UK.

Cyberattack on UK Schools Statistics: Key Statistics at a Glance

Here are some of the most important cyber attacks on UK schools statistics to know:

Education institutions experienced higher attack rates than the average UK businesses.
Colleges and universities are attacked multiple times per week.
Ransomware attacks on education have caused school closure, cancelled lessons, and data leaks.
Personal data belonging to students, parents, and staff is often the target.

In several recent UK cases, cyber attacks forced entire schools to shut down temporarily after losing access to email, phones, learning platforms, and safeguarding systems.

What is the biggest cyber threat to Schools? and Where do 90% of all cyber incidents begin?

The biggest cyber threat to schools is phishing.

Phishing attacks involve fake emails or messages designed to trick staff or students into clicking malicious links, downloading infected files, or entering login details into fake websites. UK data shows that 9 out of 10 cyber incidents in schools involve phishing in some form.

Phishing works so well in education because schools have a large number of users, heavy email usage, time pressure, and limited cyber training. Shared or weak passwords also make attacks easier. Once an attacker gains access to a single account, they can move deeper into school systems.

Where do 90% of all cyber incidents begin?

Around 90% of all cyber incidents begin with an email.

That email might look like a message from IT support, a fake invoice, a shared document, or a password reset request. Many are designed to look routine and urgent, which makes them easy to trust. This is why cyber security is not just an IT issue. It is also a people issue.

One click is enough to expose sensitive student data, lock systems with ransomware, disrupt teaching and exams, or trigger safeguarding and regulatory concerns.

How many cyber attacks happen per day in the UK?

Cyber attacks are not rare events. They happen every single day.

Based on UK government and National Cyber Security Centre data, more than 600,000 UK organisations experience cyber attacks each year. That works out to over 1,600 cyber attacks per day across the UK.

This includes businesses, schools, charities, and public services. The National Cyber Security Centre also reports handling hundreds of serious cyber incidents annually, with major attacks occurring every few days.

Why schools are targeted?

Attackers do not go after size alone. They go after opportunity.

Schools are targeted because they store valuable personal data, rely heavily on digital systems, operate under tight budgets, and often have uneven cyber security maturity.

Cybercriminals assume, often correctly, that smaller organisations are less prepared, not less valuable.

The Real Impact of Cyber Attacks on Schools:

A cyber attack on a school is not just an IT problem. Real world impacts include:

School closures.
Cancelled lessons and exams.
Loss of access to safeguarding systems.
Data breaches involving children.
Loss of trust from parents and staff.
Legal & regulatory consequences.

In some UK cases, stolen data has been leaked online following ransomware attacks.

Cyberattacks on schools in the UK - Summary

The idea that cyber attacks only happen to big companies is one of the most dangerous myths still around us. The reality is clear. Whether you are a school leader, IT manager, SME owner, or policymaker, cybersecurity is no longer optional. It is essential.

Awareness is the first step. Preparation is next.