Inverclyde Council has confirmed that a recent cyber incident has now been contained, with work underway to gradually restore digital education services and re-enable adult, education-based Microsoft accounts.

In an update on its site, a council spokesperson said: “The recent cyber incident has now been contained and we have begun re-enabling our adult, education-based accounts.

“Robust and decisive steps have been taken to deal with this as quickly and safely as possible and we are taking all appropriate steps to determine the impact of this incident and we will be in touch with anyone directly affected.”

“We have worked closely with all relevant agencies and do not believe the incident to be a ransomware attack,” the spokesperson said.

The local authority also stressed that it remains alert to ongoing cyber threats facing the public sector and that protecting data remains a priority.

“We remain vigilant to the threat of cyber security issues faced by all public sector organisations and take the matter of security and the data we hold incredibly seriously,” the spokesperson added.

An update was also issued earlier today to parents and carers, confirming that work to restore digital education systems is now underway. The council said it has begun switching education-based Microsoft accounts back on in phases over several days, allowing additional support as users return to systems.

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A phased approach has been adopted to ensure stability and security during the recovery process. Parents and carers were told that enhanced security and monitoring measures are now in place, and that the council continues to assess the impact of the incident.

The update added that the council will remain in contact with relevant authorities and partners as part of its ongoing recovery, and reiterated that anyone directly affected will be contacted.

Both statements concluded with an apology for the disruption caused, with the council thanking parents, carers, teachers and learners for their patience as systems are brought back online.