Learning Locker
Climate project
A cyber-attack has the potential to cause chaos in a school environment; from the relative inconvenience of a disrupted lesson to the serious issue of leaked personal information and data – the impact can be seismic and widespread.
Indeed, figures from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) last year revealed that cyber incidents in the education sector had increased by 55% compared to 2022 – with Government data indicating that most schools and colleges had identified a cyber-security breach in the past year.
So what can education schools and MATs do in the face of such an insidious, sophisticated threat?
The bottom line: establishing a robust, easy-to-manage cybersecurity and safeguarding framework is essential in the pursuit of creating a safe, productive environment for both students and staff. With the ever-increasing reliance on online platforms and digital tools – and limiting student access to these tools not an option – educational institutions face unique challenges in securing data and protecting against cyber threats.
Here are five critical steps to enhance cybersecurity and strengthen safeguarding across your school.
Establish clear compliance and security policies
Build a strong foundation with policies
A comprehensive, up-to-date security policy is foundational for safeguarding school data and protecting students. Schools are responsible for implementing clear guidelines for staff, students and parents to ensure that everyone understands their role in maintaining security. Meanwhile, regular reviews and updates to the policy will help keep your school aligned with current data protection regulations.
Compliance training ensures that all staff are aware of the legal and procedural standards they must meet. Computeam’s Comply - Training & Risk Awareness services offer exactly the kind of training programs schools require to cover GDPR and other essential compliance areas – with the end goal of keeping schools updated with the latest in risk awareness and data protection.
At the same time, school leaders should prioritise transparent communication around these policies to create an environment in which security awareness and responsible digital behaviour become second nature among staff and students.
Invest in staff training and risk awareness
Upskilling breeds confidence
Staff training is critical for building a school’s defence against cybersecurity threats. Schools require focused training programs that equip them with the skills and awareness to identify and respond to the most prevalent threats. Computeam’s CPD-certified cyber security courses delivered through Learning Locker are designed specifically for the education sector and should become an essential part of a school’s cyber defence strategy.
Equipping teachers and administrators with up-to-date information on risks allows them to act quickly, with confidence and knowledge if faced with a cyber incident. Risk awareness doesn’t stop at staff; students should also receive age-appropriate instruction on safe online practices to contribute to a safer school environment. In short, a proactive, holistic approach to cyber literacy strengthens the entire school community’s ability to recognise and mitigate potential risks before they escalate.
Protect data through encryption and access control
Safeguard sensitive information
Securing sensitive data is crucial to protect students, staff, and, broadly, the school’s reputation. Schools handle vast amounts of personal and financial information, which should make the job of implementing robust data encryption and access control a top priority for educational institutes of all sizes. By encrypting sensitive data, both in storage and transit, schools can significantly reduce the impact of a data breach, while enforcing access controls ensures that only authorised personnel can access critical information.
Computeam’s Protect - Data service offers data protection solutions specifically designed for school environments, including secure user management, robust backup systems, and encryption services that protect data from internal and external threats. These dynamic, state-of-the-art solutions help maintain data integrity and keep confidential information secure, reinforcing trust within the school community.
Implement reliable network security and threat detection
Strengthen network defenses
Effective network security and continuous threat monitoring are key to keeping school systems safe. A robust firewall, combined with intrusion detection systems, protects the network from unauthorised access and suspicious activity. Schools should consider advanced solutions that allow for real-time monitoring and rapid threat responses, significantly reducing potential downtime or data loss.
Computeam’s Defend - Systems service provides comprehensive system protection, including anti-malware, firewall management, and secure cloud solutions designed for educational institutions. By regularly updating software and ensuring that all connected devices are secure, schools can further fortify their networks. With continuous monitoring in place, IT teams can detect and address vulnerabilities quickly, ensuring educational and administrative systems remain fully operational.
Create a cyber incident response plan
Prepare for potential threats
A well-structured incident response plan is a way for school leaders and IT teams to respond quickly and effectively in the event of a security breach – covering critical elements such as containment strategies, notification procedures and recovery steps, to minimise disruptions to learning. Staff and students should understand their roles within this response plan, including how to report any suspicious activity.
Schools can conduct drills to test the effectiveness of the plan and update it as new threats emerge. In the same way businesses use the Exercise in a Box programme – a free online resource from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) that helps organisations practice their response to a cyber attack – schools too should have a well-tested response framework. This will better position them to recover from incidents and minimise the impact on students, staff and the wider school community.
How can we help?
Compliance training, data protection, network security and response preparedness; with these safeguarding pillars in place, schools can create an effective cybersecurity strategy. If you’d like to find out more about how Computeam’s IT services for schools can help you stay secure, compliant, and prepared for the complex, ever-evolving threat of cyber attacks, then please do get in touch.
Climate project
Updating page...