Phishing Attack Forces Edinburgh Schools Password Resets Ahead Exams

The City of Edinburgh's schools and early years IT network was targeted by a phishing attack, prompting the council to reset all passwords for learners, students, and staff as a precautionary measure. This action disrupted access to essential online learning resources, including Teams and One Note, just before upcoming exams. To support students, the council arranged for them to visit their schools on Saturday morning to receive new passwords and access their revision materials. Communications were sent to parents, carers, and schools explaining the incident and the steps taken to secure the network. The council emphasized that protecting students and minimizing the impact on their exam preparations remain a priority, providing alternative study resources via a dedicated webpage. Staff will reset their passwords upon returning to school, and the council continues to monitor and update the situation.