Schools are no longer just classrooms with chalkboards and notebooks. Technology has become essential to teaching and administration, from smartboards and e-learning platforms to laptops and Chromebooks for every student. This digital leap opens a world of possibilities—but also a wide door to cyberthreats.
At TecnetOne, we want to talk about a topic that directly affects educational institutions, teachers, and—most importantly—students: cybersecurity in schools. We'll approach it from a practical perspective so you can understand the risks and know how to better protect your educational environment.
A Growing Threat: More Frequent Attacks
According to the Center for Internet Security, over 80% of K-12 schools experienced at least one cybersecurity incident between July 2023 and December 2024. And these aren’t just minor annoyances. The State of Ransomware in Education 2025 report from Sophos reveals that the average recovery cost for a school hit by ransomware is nearly $1 million, excluding ransom payments.
These attacks don’t just disrupt classes and admin systems. They put at risk the personal data of students and families, including grades, financial information, and even medical records. In some cases, the fallout includes identity theft, financial fraud, and delayed medical care when school-linked providers are affected.
Why Are Schools an Attractive Target?
Educational institutions face a perfect storm:
- Limited resources – Most schools have small IT teams and tight budgets.
- Increased digitalization – More devices, platforms, and external services connected than ever.
- Vulnerable users – Young students who haven’t yet developed good digital security habits.
In this context, cybercriminals see schools as easy and profitable targets.
Also of interest: Cybersecurity, IT Security and Information Security
Critical Risk Points in Schools
Devices and Classroom Networks
Every connected computer, tablet, or smartphone can be an entry point. Keeping them updated and patched is a constant challenge. In fact, 21% of ransomware attacks in schools began with unpatched vulnerabilities.
Third-Party Services
Schools rely on external vendors for payments, virtual classes, or communication platforms. If these vendors are attacked, school data is also exposed.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
Personal devices used by students and teachers expand the attack surface. A phone infected at home can bring malware into the school network when connected.
Phishing and Spam
Email is the most common vector for attacks. Even young children with school accounts receive fake emails and may fall victim. In 2025, 22% of ransomware attacks on K-12 schools stemmed from phishing.
Expanded Attack Channels
Attacks now go beyond email: they also arrive via social media, streaming platforms, or subscription apps used on school devices.
The High Cost of Neglect
Attacks on schools cost more than money:
- Disruption of classes and operations
- Exposure of sensitive student and family data
- Loss of trust in the institution
According to Sophos, K-12 schools have the highest recovery costs, averaging $2.28 million per incident.
Additional Challenges for Schools
- Shrinking budgets that limit investment in cybersecurity
- Larger class sizes, increasing complexity in device management
- Internal threats from students who unintentionally or intentionally compromise the network
- Delayed detection – 42% of schools admit they can’t identify threats before damage is done
Read more: What is dwell time in cybersecurity?
How to Defend Your School Against These Threats
At TecnetOne, we recommend a comprehensive strategy to strengthen school cybersecurity:
Prevention First
Use layered security: firewalls, updated antivirus software, email filters, and phishing protection. Train students and staff to recognize suspicious emails and fake links.
Strong Authentication
Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all accounts. Some students may try to bypass it, but training and ongoing supervision make a big difference.
Free or Low-Cost Resources
Budget constraints shouldn’t be an excuse. Programs from CISA (U.S.) or NCSC (U.K.) offer free protection services for schools.
Unified IT Strategy
Avoid having each school department manage systems in isolation. A centralized IT strategy helps reduce visibility gaps and strengthens defense.
Strategic Partnerships
Partner with managed detection and response (MDR) providers for 24/7 coverage. This relieves your internal team and ensures expert support.
Incident Response Plan
Create a clear action plan: drills, continuous monitoring, and quick-recovery tools. Planning ahead makes the difference between a scare and a disaster.
TecnetOne’s Vision
At TecnetOne, we know that schools protect more than just networks and devices—they protect the future of students. That’s why we help educational institutions implement security solutions tailored to their real resources and needs. Our goal is to make technology an ally of learning, not a risk to the school community.
Conclusion
The digital transformation of schools brings huge opportunities—but also serious cybersecurity challenges. Now more than ever, school administrators and IT teams must adopt a preventive mindset to protect students, staff, and families.
Phishing, ransomware, and malware don’t care whether you're a big corporation or a public school. Without the right strategy, any school can fall victim. The good news? With preventive measures, strong authentication, ongoing education, and support from partners like TecnetOne, it’s possible to drastically reduce risks.
In the classroom, the focus should be learning. Cybersecurity is what ensures that mission continues—safely and uninterrupted.
