Cyber insurance cover is vital in battling criminals targeting children’s nurseries

A leading insurance professional is warning of a worrying rise in cyber criminals targeting children’s nurseries, stealing sensitive data and even contacting parents directly.

Recent reports reveal that a hacking group calling itself ‘Radiant’ stole photographs and private data from thousands of nursery children and their families across the UK, US, and India. Fortunately, following a serious backlash against them, the perpetrators deleted the data they had stolen and were subsequently identified and arrested.

Carolyn Baker-Mellor, Trading Director at Towergate Insurance Direct (soon to be Everywhen), said: “The increasing sophistication of cyber criminals means that nurseries and any organisation responsible for children needs to be extra vigilant and ensure they have comprehensive cyber insurance in place.

“Cyber insurance can be a crucial safety net, covering data restoration costs, business interruption, and even providing pre-incident support to help organisations strengthen their defences. For nurseries, that reassurance is vital.  It’s about protecting not only data, but the children and families in their care.”

Ms Baker-Mellor explained that if a nursery does fall victim to hackers, its first action should be to alert its IT team or provider so that a system lockdown can be initiated to prevent further breaches. The incident should also be reported to the local police, and any possible data compromises carefully recorded. If the nursery has cyber insurance in place, it should then contact its broker or insurer to report the breach and begin the claims process, which can provide immediate access to expert guidance and support.

Nurseries can protect their data by making it as secure as possible through introducing multi-factor authentication, creating fire walls, limiting the amount of personal information on one system and through being aware of the constantly evolving threat from cyber criminals.  Training of staff in cyber awareness and how to recognise the signs of cyber criminals at work is also a vital ingredient in protecting nurseries and the personal data they retain.

Carolyn Baker-Mellor concludes: “Nurseries should be particularly vigilant and be sure to check that their insurance cover is up to speed with cybercrime.  They need the safety net of knowing that it will come to their rescue, if they are unfortunate enough to fall victim to hackers.”

Image provided by Towergate Insurance

Francesca Kaye