Schools in the UK are being encouraged to sign up for a free cyber defence service from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) which helps block online threats such as malware and phishing attacks.

The launch of the service follows the rollout of the PDNS (Protective Domain Name System) for Schools which has been extended to more educational settings across the UK.

PDNS for Schools is part of a wider cyber security offer of actionable advice, guidance and tools that the NCSC has provided to help schools to improve their cyber security.

The service from the NCSC has been launched in partnership with Cloudflare and Accenture and prevents access to websites which are known to be malicious, limiting access to domains hosting malware, ransomware and spyware.

The NCSC said the service will mean more schools will benefit from enhanced cyber resilience regardless of their resources or status.

The organisation added that schools continue to face a range of cyber threats to their systems.
Earlier this month Ofqual, the government body that regulates examinations and qualifications in England, urged schools and colleges to take cybersecurity more seriously. The watchdog found that a third of teachers in secondary schools did not receive cybe security training in the last academic year.

"With a growing range of cyber threats, it has never been more important to protect our educational environments from online threats,” said Sarah Lyons, NSCS deputy director for economy and society. “The PDNS for Schools service offers a crucial layer of protection, helping schools defend against common online threats, at no cost.

“I encourage all schools to take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen their cyber resilience and ensure a safer digital future for students and staff alike."

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