Learning institutions all over the USA are dealing with cyberattacks as hackers have found ways to easily breach their systems.
Recently, it was reported that a cloud provider called Powerschool, which serves more than 60 million students globally, just disclosed that its US student information database had been compromised in a cybersecurity incident in December 2024.
The company also revealed that hackers have reached out to various school districts in an attempt to extort them. As a result, the provider made the decision to pay the ransom “because we believed it to be in the best interest of our customers and the students and communities we serve.”
School systems contain sensitive data that can be used by hackers for various criminal activities. This is why all learning institutions, from K-12 schools to colleges and universities, should enhance their cybersecurity practices to safeguard their data. Here’s how schools can prevent cyberattacks and protect their systems and devices from hackers.
Secure Endpoints
Schools have become primary targets of hackers because of their limited security, which makes it easy for cybercriminals to breach their endpoint devices such as laptops, mobile phones, tablets, smart watches, servers, and other wireless devices.
To keep data safe, schools should boost their endpoint security by encouraging all staff, teachers, and students to use strong, unique passwords and to keep all of their devices updated. It’s also a good idea to prevent threats before they happen by incorporating endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions into school systems.
By using a firewall or specialized software, an EDR can monitor for real-time threats, identify and isolate compromised devices, and block malicious processes or hacking attempts, among others.
Provide Cybersecurity Training and Education
It is estimated that there are about 600 million cyberattacks per day around the world, and yet most students and school staff aren’t fully aware about key cybersecurity topics and practices.
Staff or students who act carelessly may unknowingly open pathways for cybercriminals to infiltrate school systems, which can lead to phishing, virus attacks to damage systems, and unsanctioned disclosure of student data.
Since students have become increasingly reliant on their devices and the Internet to do their homework and collaborative projects, learning institutions should consider including cybersecurity in the curriculum as early as the third or fourth grade.
Although Generation Alpha, or kids born in 2010 and later are considered to be tech-savvy, this doesn’t mean that they’re immune to phishing or other Internet scams.
As such, kids should be taught which information is safe to share and what isn’t. They should also be taught how to recognize phishing attempts, as well as basic online safety practices. Meanwhile, teaching and admin staff should attend cybersecurity training or workshops at least once a year since hackers always find new ways to breach systems.
Doing so keeps school staff updated on cybersecurity practices, which will allow them to stay one step ahead of keyloggers and fraudsters.
Keep Wi-Fi Networks Safe
There have been a few reported instances of hackers getting into school Wi-Fi networks. Experts believe that the majority of public Wi-Fi networks, such as those from schools, are so unsafe that even kids who have an interest in tech may be able to hack them.
To keep wireless networks safe, change the Wi-Fi admin name and password, and use a long and complicated password to thwart hackers. It’s also a good idea to encrypt the school’s Wi-Fi router admin pages and lock down media access control addresses to block network requests from cybercriminals.
If teaching or school staff have to work off-site or somewhere away from the school, advise them to disable the auto connect feature on their devices to prevent their laptops or smartphones from automatically connecting to random public networks.
Protect your school from all forms of cybercrime. Consider the tips above to safeguard devices and networks from data breaches, and provide staff and students with the necessary information and training so they can stay safe while they’re online.
