MFA is a security process that requires more than one method of authentication from independent categories to verify the user's identity for a login or other transaction. The aim of MFA is to provide an additional layer of security beyond just a username and password.
MFA bombing which is also known as "push bombing" or "MFA fatigue", is a brute force attack on your patience. MFA provides an increase in security and makes life much harder for criminals because of the extra requirements by a user to respond to logging in. Usually criminals use stolen credentials to try logging in or using them to reset a user's password. Cyber criminals will bombard a use with push notifications by asking them to continually approve the login or messages to change their password. This works by users tapping in the wrong option or getting fed up with the notifications. These attacks have evolved to become more sophisticated with the criminals now calling you pretending to come to your rescue, for example, pretending to call from Apple Support.
Further information about this can be read in the full report: MFA Bombing taken to the next level
We can provide help and guidance around cyber and information security via our Information and Cyber Best Practice Area.
What to do in the event of a Cyber Attack
Tell someone! Report to IT. Report to SLT.Unplug the computer from the internet by removing the ethernet cable or turning the Wi-Fi off. Isolate the infected device and pass to IT
If you are a victim of a ransomware attack we would recommend reporting this to:
Action Fraud: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ as well as your data protection officer so they can advise about the data loss or your local police and ask for the cyber crime team or phone 101 and ask for the cyber crime team.
Most cyber crimes like these will also need to be reported to the ICO by your data protection officer. Our customers should email
These incidents should also be reported to the DfE sector cyber team at
Academy trusts have to report these attacks to ESFA.
Where the incident causes long term school closure, the closure of more than 1 school or serious financial damage, you should also inform the National Cyber Security Centre.
Always ensure there are backups you can restore from. Preserving evidence is as important as recovering from the crime.
Forward suspicious emails to