5 ways to improve your school’s cyberattack preparedness

Most people know that cyberattacks are a significant threat, impacting daily the financial, operational, and reputation states of companies of all sizes and industries. What many don’t know is that the education sector is one of the most targeted and harmed industries.

The education sector experienced a 44% spike in cyberattacks from 2021 to 2022 — a trend that has continued to today. Cyberattacks aimed at educational institutions represent 6.2% of all cyberattacks, equating to approximately one attack every two hours.

There are several reasons for this: Educational institutions generally have a wide attack surface, strained mitigatory budgets, and limited in-house cybersecurity expertise. Nonetheless, managers in education must adapt to prevent the significant financial and reputational damages associated with such attacks.

To help, we’ve prepared five ways to improve your school’s cyberattack preparedness.

What is a cyberattack, and how do they occur?

There are many different types of cyber attacks. Three of the most common include:

  • Phishing: Phishing attacks involve tricking individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or financial details, by posing as a trustworthy entity in electronic communications.
  • Malware: Malware refers to malicious software designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems. It can come in the form of viruses, worms, trojans, and more.
  • Ransomware: Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the victim’s data and demands payment, typically in cryptocurrency, in exchange for the decryption key needed to restore access to the data.

The common objective of all cyberattacks is to exploit vulnerabilities within a system to gain unauthorized access, steal sensitive information, disrupt operations, or extort money. Attacks are also becoming increasingly deceptive. For example, a growing number of phishing attacks are being generated by artificial intelligence (AI). 85% of security professionals attribute the rise in recent cyberattacks to the use of generative AI tools.

Schools, in particular, commonly encounter cyberattacks of varying sophistication and suffer from a lack of cybersecurity budget and expertise. Fortunately, there is software available that works to prevent schools’ networks, data, and sensitive student information. Moreover, schools can adopt cybersecurity prevention and response best practices to increase their cyberattack preparedness.

Increasing cyberattack preparedness: 5 strategies

As cyber threats continue to evolve, particularly in the education sector, schools must employ tailored, advanced strategies to enhance their cyber defenses. Here’s a look at five strategies that leverage modern technology to enhance cyberattack preparedness:

1. Implement comprehensive monitoring and threat detection

Schools should integrate systems that use API connections with existing platforms.

This integration allows for real-time scanning of the school’s digital domain, providing a streamlined approach to monitoring without the need for traditional hardware installations. These systems use advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze behavior patterns and identify anomalies indicative of potential security threats. Such detection capabilities enable proactive responses, minimizing potential disruptions before they escalate into costly matters.

2. Strengthen email and web filtering capabilities

Implementing advanced email and web filtering technologies helps in intercepting phishing attempts and blocking malware. These systems scrutinize emails and web traffic for malicious elements, such as suspicious links and attachments. Moreover, next-generation email and web filtering software generally use real-time threat intelligence to improve detection accuracy.

3. Enhance data loss prevention (DLP)

Deploying DLP software helps in monitoring and controlling sensitive data, preventing unauthorized access or data leaks.

Such software operates across the network to automatically detect and halt potential data breaches or exposures, ensuring that sensitive information remains within the school’s control. Moreover, DLP solutions provide detailed audit trails for compliance verification and operational transparency.

Cloud data loss prevention software supports schools that use cloud-based platforms, such as Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. This software helps prevent data breaches and unauthorized data sharing, and assists with compliance with privacy laws. With cloud DLP, schools can automate the protection of sensitive data stored in the cloud, monitor for risky behavior, and enforce security policies across their digital environments. Notably, cloud DLP solutions can also scan images and documents for sensitive information using optical character recognition, adding a layer of security against data leaks.

[FREE] Google Workspace and/or Microsoft 365 Security & Safety Audit. Learn More & Claim >>

4. Promote cybersecurity awareness and training

Both staff and students require training.

This is because threat actors commonly leverage human errors, such as clicking on harmful links or mishandling sensitive data. According to KnowBe4, up to 90% of malicious breaches originate from social engineering or phishing attacks. This indicates that attackers often bypass technical vulnerabilities, instead manipulating users into voluntarily relinquishing their legitimate access credentials.

Training should cover topics such as identifying phishing scams, managing secure passwords, and the importance of software updates. Moreover, schools should consider educating on the safe handling of personal and institutional data, recognizing security alerts, and responding to suspected security breaches.

Effective training programs often include interactive and practical components, such as:

  • Targeted phishing simulations
  • Secure password creation and management workshops
  • Secure browsing and email practices training
  • Post-attack processes and incident response best practices
  • Emergency management best practices for staff members

5. Regularly update and patch systems

Malicious actors capitalize on outdated systems.

Schools should consider adopting software that automatically manages and applies updates and patches to both operating systems and applications. This ensures that all digital resources are protected against the latest vulnerabilities, reducing the window of opportunity for cyber attackers to exploit.

Schools generally have a large attack surface: Many devices, from administrative computers to student tablets, are connected to the network. This broadness of technology provides multiple entry points for cyber threats.

Increase your cyberattack preparedness with ManagedMethods

Mitigating the financial, reputational, and operational damages of cyberattacks doesn’t need to drain your school’s budget. ManagedMethods’ cybersecurity software offers a comprehensive, budget-friendly solution that leverages cloud technology to protect sensitive data.

Cloud Monitor by ManagedMethods facilitates comprehensive cybersecurity management by providing tools that are specifically engineered for the educational sector. This platform allows schools to monitor, detect, and respond to cyber threats in real time, using advanced cloud-based technology. With Cloud Monitor, schools can gain visibility into all aspects of their cloud environment without the complexity and high costs often associated with cybersecurity setups.

The system’s API-driven approach enables for seamless integration with Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. This means that your school can gain continuous oversight without any impact on network performance or user experience. Moreover, this integration both streamlines the monitoring process while also enhancing the effectiveness of threat detection and response strategies. Cloud Monitor employs AI to analyze patterns and flag unusual activities, offering schools proactive security measures that can identify potential threats before they cause financial or reputational harm.

Additionally, Cloud Monitor’s user-friendly interface ensures that even those without extensive technical knowledge can effectively manage their school’s cybersecurity posture. It simplifies the complex aspects of cyber defense into actionable insights and automated processes.

As Ed Newman, CSO and Director of Technology Services for ESC12, stated, “When I first learned about Cloud Monitor I was skeptical that such an inexpensive solution would be able to secure our Google Workspace data better than Cloudlock. However, after our first week using the solution, I was more than convinced. Cloud Monitor has been one of the best technology decisions I’ve made this year.”

Read the full case study here. Or, click here to learn more about how Cloud Monitor can enhance your school’s cyberattack preparedness today.

FREE Google/Microsoft Security & Safety Audit. Claim My Free Audit >>