11 March 2025 - The Stonephish Club
Founded in 2025 during an unprecedented surge of persistent cyberattacks targeting the Higher and Further Education sector, The Stonephish Club was created to honor the leadership, resilience, and tenacity demonstrated by those who have successfully navigated their institutions through a significant cyber incident and its aftermath.
Inspired by the legendary Goldfish Club, known for uniting pilots who survived crashing into the sea, The Stonephish Club embraces its namesake’s metaphorical significance. The Stonefish is an extraordinary creature known for its unparalleled ability to blend into its surroundings—camouflaging itself for survival while patiently ambushing its prey thus displaying frighteningly similar antics to those demonstrated by cyber criminals.
Often referred to within education circles as “the club no one wants to join,” membership in The Stonephish Club is both a recognition of challenge and a celebration of triumph.
Membership and Purpose
Membership is conferred by the Trustees of UCISA, the UK’s professional body for digital practitioners in Higher and Further Education. It is awarded to those who have demonstrated the exceptional leadership and collaborative spirit required to lead recovery operations and bolster institutional resilience after a cyberattack.
As members of The Stonephish Club, individuals are entrusted with a critical mission:
- Wear Their Badge with Pride: Members are encouraged to display their badges at sector events, symbolizing their unique experience and dedication to the sector's cybersecurity.
- Share Expertise: Members actively share their guidance, insights, and best practices to help UCISA members strengthen their own institutions' cyber resilience.
- Build Community: By offering support and solidarity to peers enduring similar challenges, members contribute to an evolving, robust network that fosters shared learning and collective growth.
The Stonephish Club stands as a beacon of solidarity and strength within the Higher and Further Education sectors. It underscores the importance of leadership, collaboration, and community in overcoming adversity while building a more resilient future.
This is the club no one wants to join—but all admire.
