More than 320,000 files stolen in a cyber attack targeting schools have been published on the dark web.
The personal data was stolen in September from a school server used by Bristol City Council.
A total of 88 schools using the council’s Trading with Schools IT platform have been affected.
Bristol City Council said it was working with schools, cyber security specialists, Avon and Somerset Police and the Regional Organised Crime Unit as investigations continue.
However, it has not yet been able to confirm exactly which schools or individuals had information stolen.
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Vik Verma, the council’s director of education and skills, has urged parents and carers to remain alert.
‘Be cautious of unexpected messages, emails or phone calls, and follow the guidance being shared through schools,’ he said.
‘We continue to work closely with schools, cyber security specialists and law enforcement partners to understand the full impact of this incident.
‘We will keep schools, parents and carers updated as more information becomes available.’
The attack comes after a string of recent cyber attacks, with hackers recently targeting supermarket refrigeration systems across the continent.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the UK’s authority on cyber threats, said last year that education was one of the most targeted parts of the public sector.
Its deputy director, Sarah Lyons, previously warned that attacks on schools, colleges and universities could disrupt learning and put sensitive information at risk.
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