Welcome To The Data Leak Lawyers Blog
We focus on the latest news surrounding data breaches, leaks and hacks plus daily internet security articles.
We focus on the latest news surrounding data breaches, leaks and hacks plus daily internet security articles.
If your address is leaked to an ex-partner, you could be entitled to claim data breach compensation now on a No Win, No Fee basis.
Your Lawyers, as leading Data Leak Lawyers, has secured over £1m in compensation for mostly individual data clients, and this includes for victims where this very scenario has happened. We may not be able to undo any damage that has been caused, but the GDPR can entitle you to claim, and you could be owed thousands of pounds in data breach damages.
We are seeing more and more reports of school ransomware attacks, and it is concerning to see that hackers appear to be targeting this specific sector of civilisation.
Anyone who has lost control of their personal information could be entitled to pursue a claim for data breach compensation now.
Your Lawyers – as leading Data Leak Lawyers – represent thousands of people for data breach cases and have already recovered over £1m in damages for mostly individual clients. Having been working in this area of law for a great deal longer than most other data firms out there, our experience speaks for itself.
Anglesey schools cyberattack: A small island off the coast of Wales, Anglesey does not have many schools, but all five of its secondary schools were reportedly hit by a cyberattack in late June last year.
In the wake of the attack, investigations began to establish whether or not data had been affected and, if so, to what extent. The unknown element of cyberattacks was clearly demonstrated in this incident, with schools left wondering what the complications could be as they scrambled to deal with the assault on their systems.
Unfortunately, cyberattacks have been hitting the education sector with increasing frequency in recent times, calling into question how effectively school cybersecurity can defend against such targeted attacks. Where schools have not done enough to protect personal information, they could be responsible for a breach of data protection law. If you have been affected by an incident like this, you may be eligible to pursue a data protection breach compensation claim.
In recent months, cyberattacks on the education sector have been rising, and Skinners’ Kent schools were among the targets last year. In early June 2021, it was revealed that Skinners’ Kent Academy Trust had reportedly succumbed to a hack, leaving the school unable to stay open.
At their worst, coordinated cyberattacks can make computer systems inoperable, and the hackers who have taken control may be able to steal personal information. Pupil information was likely put at risk in the hack at Skinners’ Kent schools, enabling it to be stolen by the hackers.
Many schools hold highly sensitive information about their pupils, which can heighten the risk to privacy when a data security incident occurs. Schools, like all organisations, have a duty to eliminate such risk as far as possible. Where they fail in this responsibility, they may be in breach of data protection law.
Following a cyberattack that took place in summer 2021 that affected IT provider Cantium, it has been reported that data leaked from Kent schools has now reportedly landed on the dark web.
If this is the case, there could be people whose personal and sensitive information is now in the hands of criminals and fraudsters who could use it to try to commit fraud and theft. Victims of the data breach, whoever they may be, will need to be very careful and vigilant, and steps will need to be taken to protect anyone that could be affected.
Usually run by local councils, social services hold large quantities of sensitive information about the people under their care. The private nature of the work they carry out means that they are required to keep to strict standards of confidentiality. If they fail to do so, perhaps if a social worker leaked information or failed to keep data secure, they may be in breach of data protection law.
Whether they are children in foster care, people with disabilities, or elderly residents of council care homes, there are thousands of people in the UK who have some form of care provided by their local authority. The integrity of social workers is generally taken for granted but there can, unfortunately, be individuals who let the good name of their profession down.
Their actions may have been accidental or intentional, but in either case, a social worker should be held accountable if they have compromised your right to privacy. By making a compensation claim, you can ensure that you achieve the justice you deserve.
In September 2020, the National Cyber Security Centre issued an alert, warning of increasing ransomware affecting schools, as well as colleges and universities. Earlier in 2021, the alert was updated to warn of yet another spike. The numerous headlines, especially over the summer, suggested that schools have been hit particularly hard, with successful attacks that can harm many people emerging on a regular basis.
Ransomware remains one of the most prominent cybersecurity threats faced by businesses and organisations in today’s digital age. Via ransomware, attackers could gain the power to take control of entire systems or networks. They could bring operations to a standstill, and could potentially steal swathes of private information. Where schools are concerned, ransomware can be particularly dangerous, as these organisations often hold a great deal of sensitive information relating to vulnerable children and young people.
As the ransomware threat shows no sign of abetting, it is essential that schools take action to improve their prevention and response methods, or they could be liable for the exposure of extensive personal data. Where a school has failed to protect the private details of you or your child, you could be eligible to pursue a data breach compensation claim now.
Educational establishments commonly hold a wealth of information about their students, often to meet safeguarding requirements, or to ensure teachers have an appreciation of children’s personal circumstances. Such information can be valuable in providing care and support to students, yet it can also represent a security risk if organisations are not doing enough to protect this information. Due to the sensitivity of the information held, data breaches by schools and universities can be particularly harmful to those affected.
Unfortunately, cybercriminals also recognise the value of pupil and student data, seeing educational institutions as prime targets for hacks. The National Cyber Security Centre released an alert earlier this year revealing that the education sector was at an increased risk of ransomware attacks in late February, which is important to note.
With external threats to the sector high, it is essential that schools and universities are doing their utmost to protect personal information. Where they fail to do so, victims may be able to claim compensation for any loss of control of their personal information.
The University of Sunderland cyberattack situation remains ongoing, with a significant amount of their IT and infrastructure grinding to a halt as a result of the problems caused.
Your Lawyers – as Leading Data Leak Lawyers – are used to seeing these kinds of incidents. We are also used to representing people claiming data breach compensation from events like this, and we have successfully recovered damages for victims affected by university data breaches.
Whilst we do not know the extent of what information – if any – has been compromised in this incident, if there are victims whose right to privacy has been breached, we may be able to help.
The education sector is being increasingly targeted by cyberattacks, with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) issuing a warning regarding the rising incidence of criminal attacks in late March. Primary schools, secondary schools and higher educational institutions all hold a wide variety of private information, some of which can be highly sensitive in nature. Ensuring good cybersecurity in the education sector is, therefore, of paramount importance to ensure the privacy and safety of both staff and students.
While some cyberattacks can be difficult to prevent, it can sometimes be the case that organisations have failed to ensure that their systems are secure enough, allowing hackers a point of easy access. When this occurs, the organisation in question may have breached data protection law.
It is essential that schools and universities do their bit to protect the information that they store and process, or they risk exposing staff and students to data misuse. Anyone who has been put in this vulnerable situation may be eligible to claim compensation for the harm caused, so do not hesitate to contact us if you think that you may have a claim to make.
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