Introducing PDNS for Schools: A Free Cybersecurity Solution to Protect UK Education

In an era where schools increasingly rely on digital tools for education, cybersecurity threats have become a growing concern. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has responded with the launch of PDNS for Schools, a Protective Domain Name Service designed to shield educational institutions from malicious online activity^[1]. This initiative, part of the NCSC’s broader Active Cyber Defence strategy, aims to mitigate risks such as malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks by blocking access to known malicious domains^[2].

The first phase of the rollout is now underway, targeting local authorities and public sector networks that provide DNS services to schools. The service is free and will be fully operational by early 2024, with the NCSC working alongside its delivery partner, Nominet, to ensure a smooth implementation^[3].

What is PDNS for Schools?

PDNS (Protective Domain Name Service) is a cybersecurity tool that prevents access to domains known to be malicious. By intercepting DNS requests and blocking harmful domains, PDNS effectively stops malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks at their source^[4]. The service has already been successfully deployed across central government, local authorities, and the NHS, and is now being extended to the education sector^[5].

Key Features:

• Automatic Protection: PDNS blocks access to malicious domains without requiring manual intervention.
• Metrics and Analysis: Schools gain access to detailed metrics on network security and efficiency.
• Free of Charge: The service is fully funded by the UK government, ensuring no additional costs for schools^[6].

Why This Matters for Schools

A recent NCSC study revealed that 78% of schools have experienced cyber incidents, with phishing emails and malicious websites being the most common threats^[7]. The introduction of PDNS for Schools is a proactive measure to address these vulnerabilities, ensuring that students and staff can safely access online resources without fear of cyberattacks.

Who Can Sign Up?

• Local authorities or eligible public sector networks in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland that provide DNS to schools.
• Local authorities in England that manage DNS for maintained schools^[8].

Individual schools and trusts are advised to wait for the full rollout in 2024 before making inquiries.

Red-Team Relevance

For Red Team operators, PDNS for Schools presents an opportunity to test and refine offensive strategies. By understanding how PDNS blocks malicious domains, Red Teamers can simulate DNS-based attacks to evaluate the resilience of school networks. This knowledge can also be used to develop more sophisticated evasion techniques, ensuring that defensive measures are rigorously tested.

Offensive Use Case:

• DNS Tunneling: Red Teamers can attempt to bypass PDNS by using DNS tunneling techniques to exfiltrate data or deliver payloads.
• Domain Generation Algorithms (DGAs): Testing the effectiveness of PDNS against DGAs can reveal potential weaknesses in the system.
• Phishing Simulations: Red Teamers can craft phishing campaigns to see how effectively PDNS blocks malicious URLs.

Conclusion

The introduction of PDNS for Schools marks a significant step forward in securing the UK’s education sector against cyber threats. By leveraging this free service, schools can protect their networks from a wide range of malicious activities, ensuring a safer digital environment for students and staff. For cybersecurity professionals, PDNS offers valuable insights into both defensive and offensive strategies, making it a critical tool in the ongoing battle against cybercrime.

As the rollout progresses, it will be essential to monitor its effectiveness and adapt strategies accordingly. For now, PDNS for Schools stands as a testament to the NCSC’s commitment to proactive cyber defense.

References

1. NCSC (2023). “Introducing PDNS for Schools”. National Cyber Security Centre.
2. NCSC (2023). “PDNS for Schools to provide cyber resilience for more institutions”. National Cyber Security Centre.
3. EMC (2023). “New security measures available to schools”. East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre.
4. PwnDefend (2023). “Protective DNS (PDNS) by NCSC UK adds UK schools”. PwnDefend.
5. Cypro (2023). “Introducing PDNS for Schools”. Cypro.
6. Risk Evolves (2023). “PDNS for Schools: a new service for schools”. LinkedIn.
7. NCSC (2023). “Active Cyber Defence”. National Cyber Security Centre.
8. RM Education (2025). “X Post on PDNS for Schools”. X (formerly Twitter).