Cyber alarm in schools: Fixed IT disorders-increased security!

Cyber alarm in schools: Fixed IT disorders-increased security!

Demmin, Deutschland - The schools in the Mecklenburg Lake District can breathe a sigh of relief. After a possible disturbance of their IT systems due to a suspected cyber attack, the affected schools in Demmin and Neustrelitz are back in normal operation. This reports Nordkurier . The determination of the causes has shown that there was no compromising of the systems and therefore no data outflow was determined.

The security authorities had already recognized defective activities at the beginning of the week, which were directed against another authority in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The school server in Demmin was temporarily shut down from possible damage. After an in-depth analysis by external IT forensics, however, the server was raised again and the systems are now stable. Further measures for security, in particular restrictions on the use of the guest WLAN, are implemented promptly.

cyber attacks in the education sector: A growing problem

The facility offers large amounts of sensitive data, and many schools do not have the necessary resources to secure their IT systems. This happens not least because numerous schools spend only 7 % of their budget for cyber security in 2023. It is all the more important that schools, teachers and parents pull together together to bring the children closer to dealing with digital media.

cyber security for students and educators

The Federal Office of Information Technology (BSI) has therefore launched some initiatives to strengthen children and adolescents in safe use of digital media. This includes, among other things, materials that have been specially developed for schools and the provision of information for lessons. In the newsletter "Cyber security for educators" is informed about new materials that illuminate topics such as child and youth protection and how to deal with social media BSI .

In addition, the BSI encourages the use of youth protection settings on smartphones and tablets as well as for use safe passwords and multi-factor authentication. These measures are of essential importance, especially at a time when cyber attacks increase and are becoming increasingly professional.

The latest incidents underline the importance of constant vigilance and the ongoing training in the field of cybersecurity. Schools not only have to act as educational institutions, but also appear as role models in the safe use of digital technologies.