Students returning to college after ‘unfortunate’ cyber attack

Dundee and Angus College will reopen today, almost a week after a cyber attack .

Classes have been cancelled every day this week while staff tried to get the college’s systems running again following Friday’s attack.

Some systems were restored quickly but classes did not resume to allow staff time to fix all of the problems.

Principal Grant Ritchie said yesterday: “Dundee and Angus College experienced a cyber attack on Friday January 31 which impacted on our key systems and services.

“To help us minimise the disruption we made the decision to cancel all classes while staff worked around the clock to get the college up and running again.

“The progress made over the last few days has been amazing and I am delighted to advise that all campuses will reopen and all classes, including evening classes, will resume from today.

“Our staff are preparing for students returning and are looking forward to welcoming them back.”

He added that the attack was not a result of poor cyber security.

“An attack like this can happen to any organisation and the feedback we have had from experts is that we have been unfortunate,” he said.

“The college has Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation which is a government-backed, industry-supported scheme that supports good cyber security and has helped us to get up and running again, and we are grateful to be in the position to welcome our students back.”

All campuses, as well as the Gardyne gym and swim and Arbroath Helping Hands Nursery will be open as normal.