Children hacking their own schools for 'fun', watchdog warns

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has warned that schools are facing an "insider threat" from children as young as seven who are hacking their own schools for "fun." The ICO, a data protection watchdog, has reported an increase in incidents where students are exploiting vulnerabilities in their school's IT systems for various reasons, including pranks, accessing blocked content, or altering grades. The watchdog emphasizes that these actions, while potentially motivated by curiosity or mischief, can have serious consequences, such as data breaches, disruption of school operations, and even legal implications. Schools are urged to take proactive measures to enhance their cybersecurity measures and educate students on the responsible use of technology. The ICO's findings highlight the growing need for comprehensive cybersecurity education and awareness in schools, as well as the importance of implementing robust security protocols to protect sensitive information and maintain the integrity of academic systems.