Cybercriminals don’t play favourites. No matter the sector or industry, cyberattacks are always a potential and dangerous threat.
Schools are no exception.
60% of secondary schools and 44% of primary schools in the UK experienced a cyberattack in 2025, making the education sector one of the most targeted sectors.
This guide focuses on understanding just how important cybersecurity is in schools, the mistakes schools make, and how schools can improve their cybersecurity.
Why is cybersecurity important in schools?
Cybersecurity is an important part of any business, company, or organisation. If you’re holding sensitive data of any kind, you’re a target.
Schools hold a vast amount of data on students, parents, and staff, and it needs to be securely protected. A breach or exposure of this data could cause significant problems.
Common mistakes schools make with cybersecurity
Schools are prone to making a number of cybersecurity mistakes, often unaware of their impact. These include:
Lack of MFA and 2FA
On desktops, laptops, and mobile devices that access sensitive data, it’s important to use multi-factor authentication (MFA) or two-factor authentication (2FA).
These simple security measures add an extra layer of protection to your accounts.
“Set and forget”
A very easy mistake that most schools make is installing a firewall and doing nothing to follow up on it.
Most firewalls and cybersecurity solutions need to be updated and monitored regularly to ensure they’re working properly. One slip-up can lead to a breach.
Legal responsibilities
Schools need to be aware of their legal responsibilities.
The data they hold is sensitive, so to legally retain it, they need to prove they are not in breach of GDPR. Full cybersecurity compliance is the only way to ensure you’re doing everything you can to protect your data.
Read more: Handling IT in a school – what you need to know
What risks are associated with these mistakes?
These mistakes can lead to a number of risks that affect your school’s day-to-day IT operations, finances, and reputation, such as:
Operational risks
A data breach or cyberattack can lead to a complete blackout of the school’s systems, disrupting its operations. A total blackout leads to no registers, no emails, and no access to any of the school’s systems.
Financial risks
A school’s finances can be affected in many ways by a cyberattack.
A cybercriminal can hold the school’s data for ransom, or, if the school didn’t uphold proper cybersecurity compliance in the first place, the school could be held liable for the breach, resulting in a hefty fine.
Reputational damage
A data breach or cyberattack can lead to reputational damage.
Parents, students, staff, and the wider community could lose trust in the school for failing to protect their data.
How can schools improve their cybersecurity?
Improving resilience starts with a cybersecurity audit to identify specific vulnerabilities. Once a baseline is established, schools should focus on these key pillars:
- Set up MFA: Ensure MFA and 2FA are in place for all users. It can be tedious for users, but it’s a simple way to add an extra layer of security.
- Monitor systems closely: Firewalls need to be checked regularly. Make sure they’re updated frequently to keep your systems secure.
- Cyberattack awareness: Human error remains a major cause of data breaches; schools need to use phishing simulations to help students and staff identify phishing emails.
Read more: Why people are the weakest link in cybersecurity
The key takeaway for schools
Cybersecurity in schools is fundamental to protecting sensitive data. Since human error remains the main cause of data breaches, schools need to prioritise proper awareness.
Make your students and staff aware, and you’ve already won half the battle.
