Cyber Attack Forces Temporary Closure of Higham Lane School

Higham Lane School in Nuneaton has closed temporarily due to a cyber attack that impacted essential components of its IT infrastructure. Serving approximately 1,400 students aged 11 to 18, the school, a member of the Central England Academy Trust, initiated the closure on Monday and plans to remain shut until Wednesday.

In a statement, the academy indicated that this closure is a precautionary step while they investigate the incident further. Both authorities and cyber security experts are collaborating to ensure a swift and secure recovery of the affected systems.

The school promptly activated its incident response protocols, which involved securing IT systems and reaching out to independent cyber security consultants for assistance with the investigation. Families have been assured that relevant government bodies have been informed and the institution is fully cooperating with all involved entities.

In a communication to parents, the institution mentioned that the decision to close was a "tough" yet necessary action taken on the advice of external experts. Both faculty and students have been instructed not to access any school systems, like Google Classroom and SharePoint, until further instructions are provided.

The school reassured students who have previously utilized their school login information that there is no immediate threat, though access is currently limited to prioritize safety while the investigation proceeds.

Higham Lane School stressed that protecting the privacy and security of its community is of utmost importance. Families will receive updates as more details emerge.