Schools and Colleges Are Under Growing Cyber Attack

The shift to remote learning during the pandemic changed how schools operate — but it also opened the door for hackers. In 2020 and 2021, data breaches at schools and colleges spiked, with serious financial costs and real disruptions to teaching and learning. Schools often rushed to get students back online without fully assessing security risks. That haste left systems exposed. The consequences go beyond just downtime

The situation has deep roots in how schools handled technology and people. Many students were given devices to use at home — laptops and tablets — but most didn’t have updated software or operating system patches. Microsoft alone saw thousands of flaws reported in a single year, many of which could let attackers sneak into systems. When schools reconnect those devices, they’re bringing back a large number of unsecured entry points. At the same time, IT staff were overwhelmed. They spent most of their time fixing basic tech issues or managing student behavior online, not doing regular security checks or patching systems. That gap meant risks were left unmonitored and unaddressed.

Key Cybersecurity Challenges in Schools

• Vulnerable Device Ecosystems: Schools relied on student-loaned devices that often lacked updates or antivirus protection. With thousands of known flaws in widely used software like Microsoft products, these devices became easy targets for hackers. Reconnecting them without patches creates a large, unsecured entry point.
• Distracted Cybersecurity Teams: IT and cybersecurity staff were pulled away from routine security tasks to handle urgent, day-to-day issues. With little time for audits or proactive monitoring, schools missed early warning signs and failed to fix known risks.
• Pressure Fuels Ransomware Compliance: Schools under pressure to keep classes running often pay ransoms to regain access to systems. The Judson Independent School District paid $547,000 to recover its network and prevent student data leaks — a clear sign that attackers are exploiting urgency.
• Weak Network Security Practices: Many institutions didn’t keep firewalls properly configured, didn’t enforce multi-factor authentication, and skipped regular security audits. New tools were rolled out fast — without proper security checks — making systems more vulnerable.
• The Human Factor: Students, teachers, and staff often lacked training on how to spot phishing emails or protect their passwords. Without clear education on safe online habits, people became easy targets for social engineering attacks.

Protecting schools isn’t just about technology — it’s about people, processes, and consistent action. When schools stop treating cybersecurity as a checklist and start treating it as a daily priority, they can keep students safe and learning uninterrupted.