C2K School IT systems largely restored after cyber attack

pThe IT systems in schools targeted in a cyber attack last week have been largely restored the Education Authority EA has saidppAll online and IT systems in schools are provided through the C2K network managed by the EAppThe attack left all schools and pupils being unable to log into their accounts meaning pupils could not log in to get work or resources provided by their teachers in the run up to exam seasonppIn an update on Friday the EA said 414000 user accounts including pupils teachers and nonteaching staff have been successfully reconnected bringing the system back to close to normal levels of operationppA 16yearold boy was arrested in connection with the cyber attack and was later releasedppIn a statement the EA said the number of calls to the C2k service desk has now significantly reduced and is now in line with a typical school dayppThe majority of systems and services schools need to access are also now availableppThe EA thanked schools staff across the EA partners and our service provider for their significant efforts and commitment throughout this periodppWe are also very grateful to parentscarers pupils and school communities for their patience and cooperation throughout this challenging period the statement saidppThe education body added that it is continuing to work closely with a small number of schools that were specifically targeted where some personal data was compromised ppWe will be contacting any impacted individuals directly to provide further information advice and guidance They do not need to take any further action at this stageppSchools received a message on 2 April saying that as part of work to manage an IT security issue the EA would be carrying out a password reset for all users ppThe EA said immediate steps were taken to contain the issue and a full investigation is underway ppFollowing the attack the EA said a full password reset was carried out across the school network as a critical security measureppThe education body also engaged with the Information Commissioners Office and relevant authorities as part of its responseppLast week Eve Bremner from the EA told BBC Radio Ulsters Good Morning Ulster programme that the cyber attack was caught earlyppFurther incidents of animal carcass waste dumping have been uncovered in rural parts of County TyroneppAt the peak of the blaze on Sunday there were 42 firefighters at the sceneppA university student has helped chronicle the life and exile of renowned astronomer and astrophysicist Ernst ÖpikppCampaigners gathered at several locations around Lough Neagh to come together to Sing for the LoughppNiall Donnan is making it his mission to offer strangers hugs while documenting it on social media ppCopyright 2026 BBC All rights reserved The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites Read about our approach to external linkingpp p