The Critical Need for Strong School Cybersecurity: What's at Stake
Educational institutions face an unprecedented cybersecurity crisis that demands immediate and comprehensive action. Schools at every level—from elementary schools with our tiniest learners to protect to all the various institutions of higher learning—have become prime targets for cybercriminals, creating risks that extend far beyond technological disruption to threaten the core mission of education itself.
The Scale of the Problem We Face
The numbers paint a bleak picture of vulnerability in the education sector. According to the 2025 CIS (Center for Internet Security) MS-ISAC (Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center) K-12 Cybersecurity report, from July 2023 to December 2024, K-12 schools experienced more than 9,300 incidents, with 82 percent of the schools surveyed reporting some kind of cyber incident.
Ransomware is a frequent method of attack, and one with escalating consequences. According to the 2024 Sophos State of Ransomware Report, 67 percent of higher education institutions ended up paying more ransom than originally demanded in order to resolve their breach, while 55 percent of lower education institutions paid more than the original ransom. The mean ransom paid by higher education: $5.9 million. In lower education, it was $7.5 million.
These are not acceptable outcomes, not for already budget-challenged education organizations, and not for the students, teachers, and parents whose sensitive data they protect. But they are also not ones we have to accept. It’s time for educational institutions to transition to a layered, proactive cybersecurity posture. This approach will require an upfront investment, but it will prevent the devastating costs of recovering from a breach.
What Schools Risk Losing
The immediate impact of cyberattacks strikes at the heart of education's primary function. The 2025 CIS MS-ISAC K-12 Cybersecurity report tells the story:
“In a small rural district last winter, a ransomware attack struck during midterm exams. As systems went dark, the impact cascaded far beyond the school's digital infrastructure. The cafeteria staff, unable to access their electronic systems, scrambled to feed hundreds of students who depended on school meals. Parents, many working hourly jobs, suddenly needed to find childcare when classes were canceled. The graduating senior class worried about college application deadlines as their transcripts suddenly became inaccessible.”
The report uncovered a dark trend: bad actors increasingly target schools at critical periods, such as during standardized exams, when the pressure to maintain operations is at its highest, and therefore so is the pressure to give in quickly to ransom demands. Because schools provide so much more than education, including many services vital to the welfare of young people, it’s not only the schools that are vulnerable. Entire communities are threatened by the increasing cyber attacks on schools.
Why Schools?
As mentioned above, schools face tremendous pressure to maintain operations, which makes them appealing targets for those seeking a quick payout. But the data schools protect is also of great value: vast databases of sensitive personal information, including student academic records, medical information, disciplinary records, and family contact details.
Faculty and staff data, including personal information, payroll data, and confidential communications can also be leveraged. When this data is compromised, it can lead to identity theft, harassment, or exploitation that follows students and staff for years. The breach of student data is particularly concerning given the vulnerability of minors and the long-term implications for their privacy and safety.
Operational Infrastructure and Digital Learning
Schools have the mission to teach their students self-efficacy in a digital world, and that means that, by nature, their operations have become increasingly digital as well. Add to that the fact that, like every other industry, education has experienced the benefits (and risks) of digital transformation across all its operations, relying increasingly on digital infrastructure for everything from attendance tracking to online learning platforms (and let's not forget the crucial systems for running lunchrooms).
Cyberattacks can cripple email systems, learning management systems, grade portals, and communication networks that schools depend on daily. As education becomes more digitized, these systems become more critical—and their failure more disruptive to the educational process and all the people who depend on it.
The Imperative for Action
Schools cannot afford to treat cybersecurity as an optional expense or future consideration. The risks are immediate, the costs of inaction are severe, and the sophistication of attacks continues to evolve and escalate. Educational institutions must recognize that cybersecurity is not merely an IT issue, but a fundamental requirement for protecting their educational mission, their community's trust, and their students' futures.
The choice facing schools is clear: invest proactively in robust cybersecurity measures, or face the far greater costs of recovering from inevitable attacks while dealing with the educational, financial, and reputational damage that follows. In an era where cyber threats specifically target educational institutions, strong cybersecurity is an essential piece of the infrastructure for modern education.
What are some of the key considerations for school cybersecurity?
To protect students, staff, and systems, it’s essential for school administrators, IT leaders, and educators to understand and address core cybersecurity issues. The following topics outline some of the critical areas schools must consider to build a secure and resilient digital environment.
1. Phishing and Social Engineering
Description: Attackers trick staff, students, or administrators into revealing sensitive information or clicking malicious links.
Why it's critical: K-12 personnel often lack formal training, making them easy targets; also attacks, assisted by AI, are becoming more sophisticated and much harder to spot.
2. Ransomware Attacks
Description: Malicious software encrypts school data and demands payment to restore access.
Why it's critical: Targets the systems required for schools to operate and the costs can be catastrophic.
3. Weak Access Controls and Password Hygiene
Description: Use of default or weak passwords; lack of multifactor authentication.
Why it's critical: Shared accounts and lack of identity verification are common, making this an easy-to-exploit vulnerability.
4. Insecure Remote Learning Tools
Description: Reliance on video conferencing and cloud-based platforms without proper security configurations.
Why it's critical: These tools are often not vetted or monitored for security.
5. Outdated Systems and Software
Description: Many schools use legacy systems that lack current security patches.
Why it's critical: Unsupported software is a common vector for attacks.
6. Unsecured Devices and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Policies
Description: Students and teachers connect personal devices to school networks.
Why it's critical: These devices often access school data, networks and systems, but may lack antivirus software or be compromised.
7. Poor Network Segmentation
Description: Everything on the same network without isolation (e.g., student devices, admin systems).
Why it's critical: A breach in one area can compromise the entire system.
8. Lack of Cybersecurity Awareness and Training
Description: Teachers and staff are not regularly trained in updated threats and improved security protocols.
Why it's critical: Human error is a major contributor to breaches.
9. Misconfigured Cloud Storage
Description: Files and data stored in cloud services (e.g., Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive) with poor permission settings.
Why it's critical: Easy to misconfigure; often overlooked.
10. Third-Party Vendor Risks
Description: Edtech tools and contractors with inadequate security practices.
Why it's critical: Schools depend on multiple external services, which can be open doors into their systems and networks if vendors have poor security hygiene.
What can schools do today to increase their cybersecurity?
Unfortunately, cyber attacks today are too frequent and too quickly evolving to prevent an incident altogether. For that reason, the more effective cybersecurity posture is one that is structured with overlapping layers: if a bad actor does breach one of those layers, they are immediately stopped by layers beneath. Some of the protective layers schools can begin implementing right away:
Multi-factor authentication
Strong password policies
Regular software updates and patch management
Cybersecurity awareness training for staff. Consider sessions for students and even parents, as well.
Segmenting networks to isolate sensitive data
Establish procedures to ensure secure (and regularly tested) backups
No cybersecurity plan is ever complete, given the constantly improving and evolving attacks headed in your direction. But that also means there’s no time to waste in getting started. If the JSCM Group team can be of help, set up a free consultation with our team!