How to prepare for a cybersecurity incident

Schools are increasingly at risk of cyberattacks, with remote learning, online platforms and sensitive student data making them prime targets. Cyber threats are growing in scale and complexity as digital tools become more integrated into education. Schools need to take a proactive approach to safeguarding their systems and data to stay protected.

Solutions like SEQTA, our learning management system (LMS), help schools centralise operations while maintaining robust security measures. With built-in access controls, data encryption and secure communication tools, SEQTA enhances cybersecurity by ensuring only authorised users can access sensitive information.

Let’s discuss how schools can strengthen their cybersecurity defences. Drawing on years of experience, we share practical strategies for preventing cyber incidents and responding effectively when they occur.

Why Cybersecurity Matters for Schools

Schools handle sensitive data - student records, contact details, finance, and staff information - making them prime targets for cybercriminals. The rise of cloud services, BYOD policies, and online learning has expanded attack risks.

Cyber threats include phishing, ransomware, data breaches, and social engineering. These risks are growing in frequency and sophistication. A single breach can disrupt operations, compromise data, and harm a school’s reputation.

Stronger cybersecurity requires more than anti-virus software or complex passwords. Schools need a comprehensive strategy involving leadership, safeguards, education and ongoing security preparedness.

How Schools Can Improve Their Cybersecurity

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to cybersecurity for schools. However, we highlight four fundamental areas every school should focus on to strengthen its security posture.

1. Leadership and Governance: Building Strong Foundations

Good governance is key to effective cybersecurity. School leadership drives policy, awareness and compliance. Without clear direction, even advanced security measures can fail.

We regularly review our internal policies, including those on Privacy, Bring-Your-Own Device (BYOD), Information Security (InfoSec), and Acceptable Use, to ensure robust data protection and compliance with relevant legislation such as Australia's Privacy Act, the UK's Data Protection Act, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These policies serve as internal guidelines that direct our organisation's approach to handling personal data responsibly and under legal requirements.

Leaders must understand their school’s data - what’s stored, who can access it and retention periods. Oversight is vital for swift, effective responses to breaches.

A strong incident response plan is essential. It should detail procedures for detecting, reporting and addressing cyber incidents to minimise downtime and protect sensitive data.

2. Strengthening Your Technical Defences

Technology powers modern education, but can also be a significant vulnerability. Effectively using the right tools is more critical than overinvesting in expensive ones.

Keeping systems updated is crucial, as patches fix known security flaws. Neglecting updates exposes schools to unnecessary risks.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) strengthens security by requiring more than a password. Pairing MFA with a school-wide password manager also reduces credential risks.

Regular security assessments help identify weaknesses. Conducting penetration tests and vulnerability scans and maintaining secure, tested backups ensures smoother recovery after an attack.

3. Building Awareness

While technical safeguards are crucial, human error remains the weakest link in cybersecurity. Breaches often occur due to weak passwords, phishing scams or malicious link clicks.

To combat this, education is key. Continuous cybersecurity training for administrators, teachers and students, using real-world examples to teach phishing detection, social engineering awareness and safe online practices.

Making training relevant boosts engagement. Showing staff how to secure home Wi-Fi or protect personal devices increases the likelihood they’ll apply these practices at work.

Cybersecurity education isn’t a one-time event. Regular updates ensure that staff and students stay vigilant as new threats emerge, fostering a strong culture of cyber awareness.

4. Testing Your Preparedness for Real-World Threats

Even with strong policies, testing your school’s cyber response is essential. Regular drills reveal security gaps and improve response strategies.

Phishing simulations help staff and students recognise suspicious emails. Tracking who clicks on fake links identifies training needs. Recommended platforms include Trend Micro Phish Insight, KnowBe4, MimeCast and Sophos.

For leadership, tabletop exercises simulate cyber incidents, ensuring decision-makers are prepared. Setting up these tests strengthens response plans and readiness.

Monitoring for data leaks is crucial. Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools detect risks and allow quick action. Microsoft subscribers can use its DLP features to prevent confidential information leaks.

Building an Incident Response Plan That Works

A solid incident response plan is the backbone of effective cybersecurity. It serves as a step-by-step guide for what to do when something goes wrong, such as a ransomware attack, phishing scam or data breach.

An effective plan includes:

• Clear roles and responsibilities: Everyone, from IT staff to school leaders, should know who’s in charge during an incident
• A communication strategy: Transparency is key, both internally and externally. Parents, students and staff should be kept informed during significant incidents
• Defined response procedures: The plan should outline the exact steps to take during and after a breach, including how to contain the threat, recover data and prevent future incidents

Post-incident reviews: Every incident offers a learning opportunity. Conducting a cybersecurity incident post-mortem helps identify what went wrong and how to improve the response in the future

Staying Ahead of Emerging Threats

Cyber threats are constantly evolving. New attacks emerge regularly and cybercriminals continuously find creative ways to exploit vulnerabilities. Schools must view cybersecurity as an ongoing process, not a one-time project to stay ahead.

This means staying informed about emerging threats, regularly updating security policies and investing in staff development. Emerging technologies like AI-driven threat detection and advanced behavioural analytics can help schools identify and neutralise threats faster.

Cybersecurity for schools is more than firewalls and anti-virus software -it’s about creating a resilient, adaptable defence system that protects students, staff and data from evolving threats. By involving leadership, strengthening technical safeguards, educating the community and regularly testing preparedness, schools can significantly reduce their vulnerability to cyberattacks.

Is your school ready to face modern cyber threats? Start building a more robust defence today to protect what matters most: your students, staff and community.

Start today by downloading our Security Incident Response Plan.