Latest news with #PaulineStafford
Daily Record
25-05-2025
- Daily Record
West Lothian school cyber attack 'obviously worrying' says councillor
Parents and carers have been sent letters advising them to take extra precautions and a live investigation remains ongoing. A senior SNP councillor has acknowledged that people ' will obviously be worried' by the latest revelations about the data theft from West Lothian's schools. But as the council confirmed personal and sensitive information is among the data stolen the depute group leader of the council's opposition group moved to reassure parents. Parents and carers have been sent letters advising them to take extra precautions and a live investigation remains ongoing. The council stressed that no financial details or confidential pupil records had been taken by the hackers. Councillor Pauline Stafford told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'People will obviously feel worried that ongoing investigations have confirmed that a small percentage of the overall data stored on the council's education network has been stolen. 'The council and partners are working at pace to confirm the exact data which has been taken but is reassuring parents that the majority of systems used by schools to interact with parents and carers are unaffected and risk assessments have been carried out with appropriate action taken.' The council said: 'It has now been confirmed that a small percentage of the overall data stored on the education network has been stolen. We are aware that some personal or sensitive data is among the information stolen by criminals. 'We would like to offer our sincere apologies to anyone potentially affected by this criminal cyberattack.' Councillor Stafford told the LDRS: 'I would like to thank all council staff dealing with this attack. 'A special thanks must go to our education staff who have worked incredibly hard to ensure the impact on our children and young people, especially those sitting exams, has been minimal. 'As per the advice from both the council and Police Scotland people should be extra vigilant against possible phishing attacks and scams and seek advice if they are concerned.' Parents have been asked not to contact their school or our customer contact centre regarding the cyberattack, as they do not have any more details than this at this stage. The council spokesperson added: 'We are aware that some personal or sensitive data is among the information stolen by criminals. 'Risk assessment has been carried out on any potential child protection issues at each of the schools affected, and appropriate action already taken if required. We would like to offer our sincere apologies to anyone potentially affected by this criminal cyberattack.' The education network remains removed from the rest of the council's networks, and there has been a significant amount of work undertaken by staff to ensure that disruption to education, including SQA exams, has been minimal. Contingency arrangements for schools will continue until the end of the current school term. The education network remains removed from the rest of the council's networks, and there has been a significant amount of work undertaken by staff to ensure that disruption to education, including SQA exams, has been minimal. There is no evidence that the council's corporate and public access networks have been affected. All information held elsewhere in the council remains safe and secure, with extra measures in place to protect our networks.
Edinburgh Reporter
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Extra care on online security urged after data theft from West Lothian schools
A senior SNP councillor has acknowledged that people 'will obviously be worried' by the latest revelations about the data theft from West Lothian's schools. But as the council confirmed personal and sensitive information is among the data stolen the depute group leader of the council's opposition group moved to reassure parents. Parents and carers have been sent letters advising them to take extra precautions and a live investigation remains ongoing. The council stressed that no financial details or confidential pupil records had been taken by the hackers. Councillor Pauline Stafford told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'People will obviously feel worried that ongoing investigations have confirmed that a small percentage of the overall data stored on the council's education network has been stolen. 'The council and partners are working at pace to confirm the exact data which has been taken but is reassuring parents that the majority of systems used by schools to interact with parents and carers are unaffected and risk assessments have been carried out with appropriate action taken.' The council said: 'It has now been confirmed that a small percentage of the overall data stored on the education network has been stolen. We are aware that some personal or sensitive data is among the information stolen by criminals. 'We would like to offer our sincere apologies to anyone potentially affected by this criminal cyberattack.' Councillor Stafford told the LDRS: 'I would like to thank all council staff dealing with this attack. 'A special thanks must go to our education staff who have worked incredibly hard to ensure the impact on our children and young people, especially those sitting exams, has been minimal. 'As per the advice from both the council and Police Scotland people should be extra vigilant against possible phishing attacks and scams and seek advice if they are concerned.' Parents have been asked not to contact their school or our customer contact centre regarding the cyberattack, as they do not have any more details than this at this stage. The council spokesperson added: 'We are aware that some personal or sensitive data is among the information stolen by criminals. 'Risk assessment has been carried out on any potential child protection issues at each of the schools affected, and appropriate action already taken if required. We would like to offer our sincere apologies to anyone potentially affected by this criminal cyberattack.' The education network remains removed from the rest of the council's networks, and there has been a significant amount of work undertaken by staff to ensure that disruption to education, including SQA exams, has been minimal. Contingency arrangements for schools will continue until the end of the current school term. The education network remains removed from the rest of the council's networks, and there has been a significant amount of work undertaken by staff to ensure that disruption to education, including SQA exams, has been minimal. There is no evidence that the council's corporate and public access networks have been affected. All information held elsewhere in the council remains safe and secure, with extra measures in place to protect our networks. There is no evidence that any of the data held by the council or partners listed is affected by this breach. This includes:- Confidential pupil records, which are securely stored on the SEEMIS system; Pupil information held on the GLOW network; Financial data and bank details for payments made to schools through the iPayimpact system; Social work records, which are part of the MOSAIC system; Corporate data, such as council tax information, customer service enquiries, housing information or any other data held by council services out with education. The BBC reported that a group called Interlock has claimed it is behind the attack. Such groups operate by using malicious software to encrypt an organisation's files, then demand a payment with a threat to publish the material online if no ransom is paid. By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
23-05-2025
- Edinburgh Live
West Lothian school cyber attack 'obviously worrying' as investigation underway
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A senior SNP councillor has acknowledged that people 'will obviously be worried' by the latest revelations about the data theft from West Lothian's schools. But as the council confirmed personal and sensitive information is among the data stolen the depute group leader of the council's opposition group moved to reassure parents. Parents and carers have been sent letters advising them to take extra precautions and a live investigation remains ongoing. The council stressed that no financial details or confidential pupil records had been taken by the hackers. Councillor Pauline Stafford told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'People will obviously feel worried that ongoing investigations have confirmed that a small percentage of the overall data stored on the council's education network has been stolen. 'The council and partners are working at pace to confirm the exact data which has been taken but is reassuring parents that the majority of systems used by schools to interact with parents and carers are unaffected and risk assessments have been carried out with appropriate action taken.' The council said: 'It has now been confirmed that a small percentage of the overall data stored on the education network has been stolen. We are aware that some personal or sensitive data is among the information stolen by criminals. 'We would like to offer our sincere apologies to anyone potentially affected by this criminal cyberattack.' Councillor Stafford told the LDRS: 'I would like to thank all council staff dealing with this attack. "A special thanks must go to our education staff who have worked incredibly hard to ensure the impact on our children and young people, especially those sitting exams, has been minimal. 'As per the advice from both the council and Police Scotland people should be extra vigilant against possible phishing attacks and scams and seek advice if they are concerned.' Parents have been asked not to contact their school or our customer contact centre regarding the cyberattack, as they do not have any more details than this at this stage. The council spokesperson added: 'We are aware that some personal or sensitive data is among the information stolen by criminals. 'Risk assessment has been carried out on any potential child protection issues at each of the schools affected, and appropriate action already taken if required. We would like to offer our sincere apologies to anyone potentially affected by this criminal cyberattack.' The education network remains removed from the rest of the council's networks, and there has been a significant amount of work undertaken by staff to ensure that disruption to education, including SQA exams, has been minimal. Contingency arrangements for schools will continue until the end of the current school term. The education network remains removed from the rest of the council's networks, and there has been a significant amount of work undertaken by staff to ensure that disruption to education, including SQA exams, has been minimal. There is no evidence that the council's corporate and public access networks have been affected. All information held elsewhere in the council remains safe and secure, with extra measures in place to protect our networks. There is no evidence that any of the data held by the council or partners listed is affected by this breach. This includes:- Confidential pupil records, which are securely stored on the SEEMIS system; Pupil information held on the GLOW network; Financial data and bank details for payments made to schools through the iPayimpact system; Social work records, which are part of the MOSAIC system; Corporate data, such as council tax information, customer service enquiries, housing information or any other data held by council services out with education. The BBC reported that a group called Interlock has claimed it is behind the attack. Such groups operate by using malicious software to encrypt an organisation's files, then demand a payment with a threat to publish the material online if no ransom is paid.
Scotsman
04-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
West Lothian care home cafe set to close within weeks unless rescue plan produced
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Campaigners fighting to save the café in a West Lothian care home complex have just weeks to come up with plans. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The deadline for proposals to come forward for the Bathgate venue is 27 May, councillors and members of West Lothian's Integration Joint Board have been told. The IJB heard this week that there have been two requests for additional information and viewings of the café requested. There are only weeks left to save the cafe at the Rosemount Gardens care complex in Bathgate | Google Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The campaign group Save Rosemount Café has asked the Health and Social Care Partnership to take the closure off the table and work with West Lothian Council on a long term solution. The café, in the Rosemount Gardens care complex, is open six days per week but currently operates at a loss of £100,000 per year because of a lack of custom. Local councillors who have fought the closure plan believe the café has been chosen as 'low hanging fruit' and question what effective savings would be. The proposal would see staff relocated to other council venues. After a March meeting which first tabled the closure as part of the IJB budget cuts, local SNP councillors Pauline Stafford and Willie Boyle had asked: 'With a no redundancy policy where do the staff go and who picks up the cost of transferring them somewhere else? Where is the real saving?' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Robin Allen, senior manger older people services, told this month's meeting of the IJB: 'The IJB agreed to review Rosemount café two months after 25 March 2025, with a review and update provided at the end of the first month, and to agree that the facility will be closed if no viable expressions of interest have been received at the end of this period.' He added: 'The opportunity for a local community group or local business to take over the running of the café was publicised on the West Lothian Council Facebook page and at the café site, prior to the meeting of IJB on 25 March 2025. 'An updated advertisement was published on 14 April 2025 noting that IJB is inviting organisations/groups interested in leasing the café at Rosemount Gardens in Bathgate to come forward. 'Independent providers, social enterprises or voluntary organisations who would be interested in operating the café were urged to get in touch. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There have been two requests for additional information and viewings of the café requested. The advertisement, which has been viewed over 31,000 occasions, will remain live until 27 May 2025.' In a report to the Board Mr Allen added that the campaign group contacted Alison White, the director of the Health and Social Care Partnership on 22 April and requested that the IJB remove the saving for the year 2025/26, to allow time for stakeholder consultation and development of partnership working between West Lothian Council and community organisations 'to find a sustainable solution to maintain this vital service'. The group also asked that the IJB use the next month to fully scrutinise the financial figures of the café, consider the wider community benefits it brings. Board member John Innes asked what would happen if no viable proposal came forward before the Board meets again in June. He was told that the venue would close as part of the 25/26 budget proposals. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Union representative Stevie Dunn asked if more information could be made available on the proposals to find work places for staff. 'What are the plans for the staff in the event that the cafe closes. I suppose they'll have to be managed under organisational change. Is that the proposal? Mr Allen said: 'There are four FTE and five individuals involved. We considered what options were available and worked with colleagues in Property Services to identify alternative positions for those individuals to move to before the March meeting . With the two month deferment we will need to pick that up again.'
