The DfE says it is working closely with the National Cyber Security Centre and the National Crime Agency.

Hackers have obtained about 607,000 records in a cyber-attack on the Department for Education (DfE) in England. The data taken includes telephone numbers and email addresses relating to individuals and organisations but does not include bank details or other sensitive information. The DfE confirmed the incident and said it is working closely with the National Cyber Security Centre and the National Crime Agency (NCA). The department says the risk to individuals is not considered high and it is understood the attack was contained quickly. The Turing Scheme portal - a programme providing funding for international education - and the DfE online help desk have both been affected, but are expected to be operating normally later this week. "We have robust processes in place to protect information and took swift action to contain this incident", a DfE spokesperson said. "The information involved is limited to customer service contact details relating to individuals and organisations. No other data has been accessed". It stressed the 607,000 figure relates to the total number of records affected, not individuals.