Phishing emails are one of the most common ways attackers gain access to K–12 school systems, according to a U.S. Department of Education study. Cybercriminals frequently use social engineering techniques to deceive educators, staff, and students into disclosing login credentials or clicking on malicious links. These tactics target the “human element,” relying on trust or a lack of awareness rather than technical vulnerabilities.
While phishing attacks exploit human behavior, technical vulnerabilities present another significant area of risk. Many schools have a mix of modern systems and aging systems that lack the latest security patches. This, combined with the wide variety of software educators purchase and download from Internet sources, makes maintaining an accurate software asset inventory challenging for technology teams.
Unpatched or outdated software is frequently exploited. Attackers often create "look-alike" software or fake update patches to enhance reach and persistence. This scenario poses significant challenges for resource-constrained school IT departments, which may struggle to keep up with software updates, thereby leaving known vulnerabilities exposed to potential attackers.
Another challenge facing districts is finding the time for cybersecurity training. Insufficient staff training can lead to mistakes, such as responding to a phishing email, failing to properly protect sensitive data, misplacing an unencrypted device, or emailing sensitive data to the wrong recipient.
Additionally, tech-savvy or mischievous students often exploit school networks, from guessing weak passwords to “Zoombombing” online meetings. These internal actors, though not always malicious, can inadvertently cause data leaks or open security holes.
With resilience, school administrations can focus on what they can control, their ability to operate even in disrupted environments.
Improving Cyber Resilience
So, how can schools, operating in a budget- and resource-constrained environment, close the cybersecurity readiness gap? Many organizations have shifted from a “recovery” mindset to a “resiliency” mindset.
Cyber resilience differs from recovery in that the focus is on the ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from cyberattacks or disruptions while continuing essential operations. In the context of schools, cyber resilience is not merely about preventing attacks but also ensuring minimal disruption to learning and administrative functions when cyber incidents occur.
This means that the cyber team must have a comprehensive understanding of all the organization's functions on a regular basis, as well as how they can operate during a disruption. For example, is it possible to continue administrative functions using paper and pen? What functions must be delayed, what cannot occur, and what can be done in the disrupted environment while the cyber and technology teams are recovering the environment?
With resilience, school administrations can focus on what they can control, their ability to operate even in disrupted environments.
Cyber resilience also applies in the design of cybersecurity systems and policies. Are systems designed to resist failure with multiple layers of protection?
The implementation of multifactor authentication is a good example of resilient design. If accounts are protected by multifactor authentication, a user who is taken in by a phishing campaign and reveals their username and password to an attacker is still protected by the multifactor authentication. The attacker cannot take over the user’s identity and access school systems, and the defenders gain valuable time to help the user secure their account.
Finally, cyber resilience is significantly enhanced by simply having a plan and discussing it with teachers, staff, and administrators. If a formal plan or tabletop exercise seems out of reach, discuss how to react to a cyber incident as part of your staff meetings. Ensure that all teachers and staff are aware of who to contact and what actions to take if they suspect a cyber incident.
Cyber resilience builds on the older concept of cyber hygiene — routine practices that protect digital systems, much like personal hygiene protects physical health. Just as handwashing and vaccinations prevent illness, simple habits such as updating software and using strong passwords help prevent malware, phishing, and unauthorized access.
Low-cost measures that all educational institutions should implement as soon as practicable include implementing multifactor authentication, ensuring that operating systems and core technology applications are fully updated, and providing training for their staff and students on how to safely use internet resources and avoid phishing and scams.
Even providing information on choosing better passwords can have a significant impact on an educational institution’s cyber hygiene and lessen the effects of many attacks.
Administrators and school districts should start with a realistic roadmap: Address the most critical vulnerabilities first and gradually build a more mature program. District leadership must treat cybersecurity as integral to school safety and allocate regular funding for it, just as they do for physical building security.
Communities and parents are also key stakeholders. Leverage your school board members to spread the message that cybersecurity and data privacy are essential components of protecting students and preparing them for participation in the digital economy.
Finally, ongoing adaptation is crucial. Cyber threats will continue to evolve, so K–12 schools should plan for continuous improvement by updating their policies annually, refreshing training, and staying alert through information-sharing networks.
With a combination of the right practices, supportive programs, and collaborative efforts, K–12 schools can significantly reduce cyber risks and ensure that student and teacher data remain safe, allowing education to continue uninterrupted.
Improving school cybersecurity requires vigilance and proactive effort; however, by leveraging the guidance and resources now available, schools can significantly strengthen their defenses and resilience against cyber incidents. Keeping our schools cyber-safe is a shared responsibility and an essential part of providing a safe learning environment in the digital age.