By Fatma Younis
Hackers have published at least 320,000 files stolen from Bristol City Council’s servers on the dark web, following a cyber attack on the council’s Trading with Schools platform in September.
39 Schools Affected
The attack targeted the Trading with Schools platform on 21 September, accessing data from 39 schools across the region. The platform, which handles tasks such as lesson scheduling and payroll and can store sensitive information including educational psychology files, was shut down on 25 September after the breach.
Investigation Underway
Specialist investigators have identified a “significant number of files” believed to have been taken from the network and made available online. The council said investigators are probing the published material “as quickly as possible” to determine what information has been exposed and which schools or individuals may be affected.
Advice to Families and Staff
Schools have urged parents and students to be cautious of unexpected emails, text messages and phone calls, and to avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in unexpected messages.
Vik Verma, director of education and skills at Bristol City Council, acknowledged the concern the data theft has caused for parents, carers, school staff and the wider community. He said determining what information may have been affected remains a “key focus of our investigation,” and the council is providing clear advice on practical steps to protect themselves online.
Ongoing Response
The council continues to work closely with schools, cyber security specialists and law enforcement partners to understand the full impact of the incident. It has not yet confirmed the nature of the information discovered online but pledged to keep schools, parents and carers updated as more information becomes available.
