Keeping Classrooms Safe from Modern Cyber Threats

Schools today face more than playground drama. Over one-third of schools in England were hit by cyber attacks last year, with ransomware gangs demanding an average of £5.1 million. Recovery costs averaged £3 million. For many schools, that’s simply unmanageable.

At CYBIONE, we help schools strengthen their cyber security and meet UK compliance requirements so teachers can focus on education, not extortion emails.

Protect your school today

What Matters Most for Schools

Subject Access Requests (SARs)

We help you handle parent and pupil data requests correctly and on time.

GDPR & Data Protection Act

Practical, jargon-free support to stay compliant with UK law.

Cyber Essentials

Government-backed certification to protect IT systems and show funders you’re secure.

Staff Awareness Training

Empower your team with cyber security awareness training tailored to your sector and needs.

Safe Tech Setup

Continuous monitoring and support to ensure your cyber security posture remains strong.

Reassurance with Stats

The NCSC handled almost 2,000 cyber attack reports last year, with 12 highly severe incidents, triple the year before. Education is a key target. With CYBIONE, your school can be prepared.

👉 Protect learning, Protect pupils

Let CYBIONE keep your school safe.

2,000

Cyber Attack Reports

12

Severe Incidents (3x increase)

1/3

Schools Hit by Attacks

£5.1M

Average Ransom Demand

Cyber Essentials FAQs for Schools

Why should schools be concerned about cyber security?

Cyber threats are on the rise, with schools increasingly becoming targets. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) reported handling almost 2,000 cyber attacks last year, and over a third of schools in England have been victims. These attacks can be costly, with some ransomware demands reaching millions of pounds, and the average recovery cost is substantial.

Is Cyber Essentials certification important for schools?

Yes, Cyber Essentials certification is important for schools. It is a government-backed scheme that helps organisations protect themselves against common cyber attacks. Achieving this certification demonstrates a school’s commitment to cyber security and data protection, providing assurance to parents, staff, and students.

How to ensure school staff are aware of cyber security risks?

Effective cyber security awareness in a school setting relies on a multi-faceted approach. This includes mandatory initial and regular refresher training for all school staff, educating them on how to protect sensitive pupils’ data and identify threats. You should also conduct controlled phishing simulations to test teachers and administrators, providing constructive feedback to improve their vigilance.

Establishing clear, accessible policies for using school IT systems and handling data is crucial.

It’s vital to promote a culture where staff feel confident reporting any suspicious activity, supporting this with strong technical controls like multi-factor authentication and robust email filtering.

There are several key strategies schools can employ to ensure their staff are aware of cyber security risks and build a strong security culture.

1. Comprehensive Training Programmes

Initial Training: All new staff should receive mandatory cyber security training as part of their induction. This should cover the basics of data protection, password hygiene, identifying phishing emails, and the school’s specific policies.
Ongoing Refreshers: Cyber threats evolve, so training should not be a one-off event. Regular, perhaps bi-annual, refresher courses are essential. These can be delivered through interactive modules, workshops, or short, engaging video series.
Role-Specific Training: Tailor training content to different roles within the school. For example, administrative staff who handle sensitive student data will need more in-depth training on data handling and privacy than teaching assistants.

2. Phishing Simulations

Simulated Attacks: Conduct regular, controlled phishing simulations. This involves sending fake phishing emails to staff to see who clicks on malicious links or provides credentials.
Educational Feedback: The goal of a simulation is not to punish but to educate. When a staff member falls for a simulation, they should receive immediate, constructive feedback explaining the red flags they missed and how to identify similar threats in the future.

3. Clear and Accessible Policies

Acceptable Use Policy (AUP): Ensure all staff understand and sign an AUP that clearly outlines expectations for using school IT resources, including personal devices, social media, and email.
Data Protection Policy: A concise and easy-to-understand data protection policy should be readily available to all staff. This policy should detail how sensitive data is handled, stored, and shared.

4. Continuous Communication and Awareness

Regular Updates: Use internal newsletters or a dedicated cyber security section on the staff intranet to share timely updates on new threats or security best practices.
Promotional Material: Use posters, digital signage, and email reminders to keep cyber security at the forefront of everyone’s mind.
Encourage Reporting: Foster a culture where staff feel comfortable reporting any suspicious activity, no matter how minor it seems. This is crucial for early detection of potential incidents.

5. Strong Technical Controls

While staff awareness is key, it should be supported by technical measures that help reduce the risk of human error. These include:

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implementing MFA on all school accounts adds an extra layer of security.
Email Filtering: Robust email filtering systems can block a high percentage of spam and phishing attempts before they even reach a staff member’s inbox.
Endpoint Protection: Deploying security software on all devices can help prevent the spread of malware and other viruses.

Our school had a cyber attack. How can we recover?

Recovering from a cyber attack requires a calm and methodical approach. Here is a step-by-step guide on how your school can manage the process:

1. Immediate Containment

The first priority is to stop the attack from spreading further.

Isolate Affected Systems: Disconnect the compromised computers or network segments from the rest of the school’s network. This might mean unplugging network cables or disabling Wi-Fi on certain devices.
Shut Down Critical Systems: If the attack is still active, consider shutting down servers or systems that are at risk to prevent further damage or data exfiltration.

2. Activate Your Incident Response Plan

If your school has an incident response plan, now is the time to follow it.

Assemble the Team: Bring together the key individuals, which should include the headteacher, the IT lead, and any external cyber security experts you have a relationship with.
Establish Communication: Set up a secure communication channel (e.g., a separate messaging app or phone line) to coordinate the response, as your usual email or messaging systems may be compromised.

3. Investigate the Incident

Before you can recover, you need to understand the extent of the attack.

Determine the Scope: Identify what systems and data have been affected. Was it just a single computer, or has the attacker gained access to your entire network?
Find the Cause: Figure out how the attacker got in. Was it a phishing email, an unpatched system, or a weak password? This is crucial for preventing a repeat attack.

4. Data Recovery and System Restoration

This is where you get the school back to normal operations.

Utilise Backups: This is the most effective method of recovery from ransomware or data loss. Use clean, verified backups to restore your data and systems. Ensure the backups are not infected before you restore them.
Rebuild and Harden: Do not simply restore compromised systems without addressing the security vulnerabilities. Rebuild systems from scratch, apply all security patches, and change all passwords.

5. Notify Relevant Parties

There are legal and ethical obligations to inform stakeholders.

Report to the ICO: Under the GDPR, you must report a data breach to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) within 72 hours of becoming aware of it, if there is a risk to people’s rights and freedoms.
Communicate with Parents and Staff: Be transparent with the school community. Inform parents and staff about the incident, the steps you are taking to recover, and what they need to do (e.g., reset passwords).

6. Post-Incident Analysis and Prevention

The final step is to learn from the incident.

Conduct a Review: Analyse what went wrong. Were there any gaps in your cyber defences or staff training?
Implement Improvements: Use the lessons learned to strengthen your security posture. This might involve additional staff training, investing in new security software, or implementing stricter access controls. It is highly recommended to seek professional assistance from a cyber security firm to conduct a thorough review and help harden your defences.

And you can always get in touch with us ASAP.