Cyberattacks on schools surged to alarming levels in 2024, exposing critical vulnerabilities in educational institutions across the country. Cybersecurity company Check Point Software reports that cyberattacks against the education sector have increased by 37% this year, compared to 2023.
From ransomware attacks that paralyzed district-wide operations to data breaches compromising sensitive student records and staff information, these incidents underscored how schools have become prime targets for cybercriminals.
For IT directors and school administrators, the stakes are higher than ever. How do you protect your institution in the face of ever-evolving cyber risks?
Biggest Education Cyberattacks in 2024
Canada’s largest school board district discovered in August that student data from the 2023/24 school year had been compromised. TDSB, which oversees 582 schools and 235,000 students, was targeted by the LockBit ransomware group, affecting personal data including names, email addresses, student numbers, dates of birth, and more.
LockBit demanded an undisclosed ransom to be paid within 13 days, which TDSB did not respond directly to, but instead sent a letter to student parents. The letter assured that the risk to students was low, highlighted the security measures taken, and TDSB’s coordination with law enforcement.
A ransomware attack forced a shutdown of K-12 school district Highline Public Schools in early September. Highline closed its 34 schools across Washington and suspended activities when the attack was discovered September 7.
With over 2000 staff and 17,500 students, the district took all precautions, launching an investigation and engaging a third-party cybersecurity forensic specialist. The impact of the attack is still being investigated, and no ransomware group has yet claimed responsibility.
Kansas State University suffered disruptions in its network services, including VPN, emails, Canvas videos, and Mediasite due to a cyberattack in January 2024. The cybersecurity incident was identified by K-State’s IT team, which was quick to isolate the affected areas.
While K-State launched an investigation and employed cybersecurity forensic specialists, it remained unclear how the incident occurred. The university suffered several technical issues, including mandatory password resets and network outages. New security measures, including multi-factor authentication, were enforced following the incident.
Weeks before exams were set to begin, the U of W was hit by a cyberattack that shut down network access and forced class closures. The March 25 attack compromised the personal information of students and employees, past and current, from as early as 2003. The stolen data included names, email addresses, social insurance numbers, and bank information.
Follow our step-by-step guide: Ensuring School Resilience: How to Prepare for an Outage
Vulnerabilities Schools Need to Address
Schools face a unique combination of challenges that make them particularly susceptible to cyberattacks. Addressing these vulnerabilities is critical to building a strong defense against potential threat actors:
Many schools rely on legacy systems that are no longer supported with regular updates or patches. These outdated school systems create exploitable entry points for cybercriminals, increasing the likelihood of successful attacks like ransomware or unauthorized access.
Educators, staff, and students often lack proper training to recognize phishing attempts, suspicious links, or unsafe online behaviors. This knowledge gap allows cybercriminals to manipulate human error, making it one of the most exploited vulnerability targets in schools.
Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies are common in schools, particularly for remote learning and hybrid models. However, insufficient security measures on personal devices can compromise the entire network, creating weak spots for attackers to exploit.
Schools frequently adopt third-party tools for teaching, communication, and administration without conducting thorough security assessments. This lack of oversight can lead to insecure integrations, data leaks, and exposure to cyber risks.
Staff and students may introduce unsanctioned software or devices into the network. These “shadow IT” solutions bypass IT controls, creating blind spots that increase the risk of breaches and data loss.
Preventative Strategies for 2025
To effectively counter the rising tide of cyberattacks, schools need to adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity and infrastructure security. Here are some key strategies tailored to help educational institutions bolster their defenses in 2025:
Conduct regular risk assessments and penetration testing to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities. A comprehensive cybersecurity framework, like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, helps schools establish clear policies for detection, response, and recovery from attacks.
Implement Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions to monitor and protect devices against cybersecurity threats in real time. Additionally, consider partnering with managed IT service providers to ensure 24/7 monitoring and swift incident response.
Launch training programs tailored for educators, administrators, and students to recognize phishing attacks, malicious links, and unsafe practices. Frequent security drills and workshops can reinforce a culture of vigilance.
Encrypt sensitive student and staff data to render it unreadable in the event of a breach. Combine this with regular, automated backups stored securely off-site or in the cloud to ensure quick recovery in case of ransomware or data loss.
Create clear policies regarding technology usage and provide sanctioned, secure alternatives for software and tools. Implement network monitoring solutions to detect and block unauthorized devices or applications.
Align your cybersecurity initiatives with federal and state guidelines like the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Compliance helps reduce liabilities and fosters a secure learning environment.
Learn more: A Complete Guide to Cybersecurity
Prioritize Cybersecurity for Schools in 2025
The lessons from the cyberattacks of 2024 highlight the urgent need for proactive measures to secure the educational environment.
The K-12 cybersecurity experts at CTS can help you take the first step toward a more secure future by assessing your institution’s cybersecurity posture. We specialize in partnering with schools to protect data, ensure uninterrupted learning, and build trust with students, parents, and staff.
