Carmel College Targeted by Vice Society in a Ransomware Attack

About Carmel College

Carmel College, a sixth form college located in St Helens, was targeted in a ransomware attack by the group Vice Society. The attack occurred in late April 2023, and the college was able to minimize the impact on students, allowing day-to-day teaching to continue with limited disruption.

Size and Vulnerabilities

The size of Carmel College is not explicitly mentioned, but its inclusion in a larger campaign targeting multiple UK schools suggests its significance within the education sector. This attack underscores the education sector's attractiveness to cybercriminals.

Vulnerabilities and Mitigation

Specific vulnerabilities exploited in the attack on Carmel College are not detailed. However, the education sector's general susceptibility to ransomware is highlighted by recent statistics: 56% of lower education institutions and 64% of higher education bodies were hit by ransomware in the previous year. To combat this threat, experts advocate for enhanced cybersecurity measures, improved endpoint security, and strategies to ensure educational continuity.

Sources

• Home - Carmel College
• Police probe launches as Carmel College hit by 'cyber attack' - BBC
• Schools Across the UK Crippled by Ransomware - GDPR for schools blog
• Schools hit by cyber attack and documents leaked - BBC
• UK Schools Hit by Mass Leak of Confidential Data