
The start of the academic year always comes with new challenges. For IT managers in schools, one of the most pressing challenges is cyber security. The education sector has become one of the most targeted industries for cybercrime, with attackers knowing that schools often run on limited budgets and lack dedicated security resources.
Cyber Security priorities for schools are no longer optional; they are vital. Ransomware attacks have been reported across UK schools, with criminals encrypting data and demanding payment to unlock systems. Phishing emails continue to target teachers, administrators, and even students, tricking them into handing over login details.
Why the sudden focus on schools?
With so much at stake, IT managers need to take a structured approach to their cyber security priorities for schools. Let’s explore the five areas that should be at the top of your list this autumn.
Every laptop, desktop, tablet, and interactive whiteboard is a potential entry point for cybercriminals. With thousands of devices in circulation across staff and students, schools must strengthen endpoint protection.
Endpoint security is more than just antivirus software. It includes:
A real-world example: A student’s laptop goes missing on a school trip. Without encryption, personal records stored locally could be exposed. With encryption, the data remains unreadable, protecting the school’s reputation and avoiding GDPR fines.
For schools, investing in stronger endpoint protection is often the first and most impactful step in tackling cyber security priorities.
Over 90% of cyberattacks start with email. For schools, phishing remains the number one threat. Attackers disguise emails as urgent messages from headteachers, exam boards, or government agencies, tricking recipients into clicking malicious links.
Cyber Security priorities for schools must include advanced email security, such as:
Imagine a teacher receives an email claiming to be from the Department for Education, asking them to log into a new portal. Without protection, their login could be stolen, giving criminals access to sensitive data. With advanced filtering, the email would be quarantined before harm is done.
If you’re serious about tackling cyber security priorities for schools, start with email security.
Schools increasingly rely on Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace for collaboration, teaching, and communication. But the cloud is not automatically secure. Cybercriminals know that a single compromised account can expose emails, OneDrive files, or entire Google Drives.
Key steps for securing cloud platforms include:
Here’s a common scenario: a student’s account is compromised, and a hacker uses it to send phishing emails across the school. Without conditional access and MFA, the attacker can spread quickly. With these controls in place, the attack is stopped in its tracks.
See our Education IT Checklist for the New Academic Year blog for more details.
Even with the best defences, schools must prepare for the worst. A robust backup and disaster recovery strategy is a non-negotiable cyber security priority.
Why? Because ransomware doesn’t just steal — it locks you out of your data. If backups aren’t secure, the school could face weeks of downtime.
Key elements of backup and recovery include:
Example: A ransomware attack encrypts a school’s shared drive. Without a recent backup, weeks of lesson plans, reports, and student records are lost. With a tested backup, IT can restore everything within hours, avoiding disruption.
Backing up properly turns a crisis into a manageable inconvenience.
Technology alone isn’t enough. People remain both the biggest risk and the biggest defence against cyber threats.
Cyber security priorities for schools must include regular training for both staff and students. This doesn’t have to be overwhelming — short, focused sessions work best.
Examples of what to cover:
Students should also be included — but with age-appropriate training. For younger pupils, simple rules like “don’t click on strange links” or “always ask a teacher” are enough. Older students can handle more advanced advice around data sharing and safe use of social media.
Building a culture of awareness is one of the most cost-effective ways to strengthen cyber security in schools.
Every school’s IT setup is unique, but the steps to improve cyber security follow a similar path:
A roadmap helps IT managers explain to senior leadership why investment in cyber security priorities for schools is not just necessary but essential for safeguarding students, staff, and reputation.
Cyber security priorities for schools this autumn are clear: protect endpoints, secure email, lock down cloud platforms, back up data, and train staff and students.
The threats are growing, but so are the tools and strategies to defend against them. By building a cyber security roadmap and taking proactive steps now, schools can safeguard both their data and their people.
👉 CTA: Speak to Qual Limited today to review your school’s cyber security posture. We’ll help you identify gaps, strengthen your defences, and keep your staff and students safe this academic year.
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IT procurement doesn’t have to be complex. Qual Limited simplifies the entire process, ensuring you get the right IT solutions at the right price, without the usual frustrations and delays.
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James, our Senior Cyber Security Specialist, has been a key part of Qual since 2004. With over a decade of experience, James is dedicated to protecting your business from cyber threats. He combines deep technical knowledge with a proactive approach, ensuring your systems are secure and risks are minimised. Whether it’s implementing the latest security measures or responding to incidents, James is committed to keeping your data safe and your business running smoothly
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Are you looking to connect with a dedicated account manager who can tailor IT solutions to meet your business needs?
Open
Mon – Fri: 9.00am – 5.30pm
Holidays: Closed