Children Hacking Their Own Schools for 'Fun', Watchdog Warns
LONDON (AP) - The Information Commissioner's Office has issued a warning about the "worrying trend" of students hacking their own school and college IT systems, with many incidents originating from inside education settings.
According to Heather Toomey, Principal Cyber Specialist at the ICO, the majority of so-called "insider" cyber attacks and data breaches in education settings have been carried out by students. Since 2022, the ICO has investigated 215 hacks and breaches originating from inside education settings, with 57 attributed to children.
"What starts out as a dare, a challenge, a bit of fun in a school setting can ultimately lead to children taking part in damaging attacks on organisations or critical infrastructure," Toomey said. "Teachers need to be aware of the 'insider threat' pupils pose and take steps to prevent it."
The warning comes amid a spate of high-profile cyber-attacks affecting firms such as Microsoft and Jaguar Land Rover, where teenage hackers have been implicated.
Background research suggests that this trend is not unique to the UK. In the United States, for example, there has been a surge in reports of school hacking incidents, with some experts attributing it to the increasing popularity of online gaming and social media among young people.
"It's a global issue," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a cybersecurity expert at the University of California, Los Angeles. "Young people are more tech-savvy than ever before, but they often don't understand the consequences of their actions."
The ICO has urged teachers to be vigilant and take steps to prevent insider threats, including monitoring student activity on school networks and providing education on online safety.
The warning highlights the need for educators to stay ahead of the curve in addressing the evolving threat landscape. As Toomey noted, "Teachers need to understand that students are not just victims of cybercrime but also potential perpetrators."
In response to the warning, some schools have begun implementing measures to prevent hacking incidents, including installing advanced security software and conducting regular cybersecurity drills.
The ICO has promised to continue investigating and addressing the issue, working closely with educators and law enforcement agencies to prevent further breaches.
As the world grapples with the growing threat of cybercrime, the watchdog's warning serves as a reminder that even the most seemingly innocuous actions can have serious consequences.
*Reporting by Bbc.*
