An Edinburgh university has suffered a serious cyber attack knocking out vital systems for more than seven days.
Bosses at Heriot Watt admitted a ‘security incident’ involving a malware onslaught had affected a VPN used by staff and students for remote learning but stressed the issue had been ‘contained’.
Internal directories, financial services and student records are also reported to have been affected by the assault on March 15.
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Specialist officers from Police Scotland’s cyber crime unit are now probing the incident, however the institution has stressed there is no suggestion of any data leak.
The university says it is now “strengthening” its online security protocols to guard against any future attacks.
Status checkers on the higher education facility’s website lists ten systems - including a finance programme linked to their Dubai campus - remain ‘unavailable’.
A ‘resource booker,’ allowing staff and students to secure rooms and sign out equipment is also down alongside a point of sale programme used for on-site canteens.
A spokesperson for the university said all users had been safely moved onto alternative systems until the issue can be rectified.
They added: “We can confirm that some of our online systems were subject to a cyber-attack last week.
“The incident was contained immediately and staff and students alerted to allow them to be supported using alternative systems.
“We are working closely with Police Scotland and specialist advisers to investigate the cause of the incident which will allow us to further strengthen our future security.”
Britain's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) had previously warned universities to be “vigilant” against malicious online threats following an increase in ransomware attacks as in-person learning returned amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The University of the Highlands and Islands was previously forced to shut down its physical and remote campus last year after being targeted by an unknown source.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Officers are investigating reports of a cyber breach at Heriot Watt University which was reported on Tuesday, 15 March, 2022.
"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances."
