Children are hacking their own schools' IT systems 'for fun'

Children are hacking their own schools’ IT systems ‘for fun’ in a new ‘worrying trend’, an official watchdog has warned.

The Information Commissioner’s Office said teachers are failing to understand the ‘insider threat’ that students pose.

It added the majority of ‘inside job’ cyber attacks and data breaches in schools are by pupils.

Heather Toomey, cyber specialist at the ICO, said: ‘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.’

It comes after a number of high profile cyber-attacks, affecting firms including Jaguar Land Rover and M&S.