The cyber criminals are thought to be linked to Russia. In August last year they attempted to extort a school in Leeds for information about the children, particularly about special educational needs. LockBit functions as a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model where affiliates are recruited to conduct ransomware attacks using LockBit ransomware tools and infrastructure, with the main gang taking a cut of the affiliates’ earnings.
On Monday evening, a message appeared on LockBit's website, saying it was "now under control of law enforcement".
The NCA's technical experts had been able to get inside of LockBit's own systems and take control. In doing so, they were able to steal a large amount of the criminal group's own data about its activities.
Since many companies do not admit they have been hacked and sometimes pay a ransom, this data may well provide a unique insight into the true scale of the group's work as well.
Source of information: BBC News: LockBit: UK leads disruption of major cyber-criminal gang
Further information reported by Computing says that the United States Department of Justice unsealed indictments against two alleged members of the LockBit ransomware group, as part of a broader global operation aimed at dismantling the criminal enterprise. The number of LockBit members currently charged is five. Details about the crimes and charges can be read: Computing: US Charges Russian Nationals
Disruption to the LockBit operation is significantly greater than first revealed. As well as taking control of the LockBit website, Lockbit's primary administration environment, the NCS has also seized the infrastructure that allowed it to manage and deploy the technology that it used to extort businesses and individuals around the world:
The Guardian: Seized ransomware network LockBit rewired to expose hackers to the world
What to do in the event of a cyber attack
First, follow your cyber response plan. Record the incident in your internal incident log, inform your governing board or trustees, and contact your Data Protection Officer (DPO) as soon as possible if personal data could be involved.
Incidents or attacks where a security breach may have taken place, or other damage was caused, should also be reported to an external body. The SLT digital lead is responsible for assigning someone to report any suspicious cyber incidents or attacks. This person will need to report to:
- Report Fraud, which replaced Action Fraud in December 2025, on 0300 123 2040 or through the Report Fraud website. Make sure it is recorded as a crime report so that you receive a crime reference number.
- the DfE sector cyber team at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
You may also need to report to:
- the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) if the incident or attack causes long-term school closure, the closure of more than one school, or serious financial damage. If you're not sure who to report to, use the government's cyber incident signposting service.
- the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) within 72 hours of becoming aware of a personal data breach, unless the breach is unlikely to result in a risk to people's rights and freedoms. If the risk is high, you must also tell the people affected without undue delay. Your DPO can help you assess this. We will do this on behalf of DPE customers.
- the Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) emergency assistance helpline on 0800 368 6378 or
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , if you are an RPA member, or your cyber insurance provider if you have one - your local police force if you suspect a safeguarding impact
- any third-party service providers whose systems are affected, so they can be part of a coordinated response
- Jisc CSIRT, if you are part of a further education institution.
You must act in accordance with:
- Report Fraud's guide to reporting cyber crime and fraud
- Academy Trust Handbook Part 6, if you are part of an academy trust. Since September 2025, academy trusts must not pay any cyber ransom demands.
- the ICO's guidance on personal data breaches.
Preserve the evidence
Police investigations may find out whether any compromised data has been published or sold, and identify the perpetrator. Preserving evidence is as important as recovering from the crime. Keep a clear record of what happened, when, and what actions you took. The DfE's guidance on record keeping in an incident explains what to capture.
Reporting suspicious emails and texts
Forward suspicious emails to