Statement on GCU cyber security incident

Recently, our IT security software and staff identified that GCU had been subject to a limited cyber attack. Unauthorised access was detected early and our team worked over the weekend to contain it and limit any potential damage. We have engaged professional cyber security experts and are in ongoing contact with the Scottish Government’s Cyber Resilience Unit as well as the National Cyber Security Centre.

There is no evidence to suggest data has been compromised, nor that ransomware is present.

As a precaution, access to some limited IT systems have been restricted until a full evaluation and any necessary remedial action is completed. We will look to have all systems fully functional at the earliest possible opportunity. Some of our telephone lines are temporarily affected, though students and staff will naturally contact us by email, messaging systems and calls diverted to mobile phones.

As we are coming to the end of the academic year and the exam period has concluded, we anticipate the impact to students will be minimal. In the current context, we do not anticipate there will be any impact on marking of assessments. Applicants remain unaffected though a few may experience delays and our Admissions team will be in touch with them directly.

For understandable security reasons we are not able to go into the details of the attack publicly at this point in case it assists those involved in hacking.

If any of our students have any concerns they can of course contact us anytime at studentsupport@gcu.ac.uk