How to improve your school’s cybersecurity defenses
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Since the pandemic, schools and higher education facilities have increasingly adopted technologies to support learning and improve operations. However, this increased use of technologies, combined with a lack of resources for a comprehensive cybersecurity program, has made schools and their extensive data an easy target for cyberattacks.
Every day, schools are faced with new cybersecurity risks. Whether that is malware, ransomware or simply staff using an unprotected device to access the school network, the vulnerabilities of educational facilities are being exposed for malicious actors to target. Between 2018 and September 2023, 386 cyberattacks were reported in the U.S. education sector, costing those schools $35.1 billion USD. In 2023, there were an average of 21 ransomware attacks per month – a staggering 91% jump in monthly attacks compared to the previous year.
To mitigate these risks, schools need to be proactive and establish policies that help improve their cybersecurity posture. This doesn’t just apply to computers and mobile devices that aid learning; it also extends to the security technologies that schools use every day to help support safety efforts.
This guide will provide school security teams, IT experts, school administrators and relevant stakeholders with top tips on improving their cybersecurity posture. It includes guidance on developing responsible use policies, securing data, and reviewing network access privileges.
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What is cybersecurity for schools?
Cybersecurity for schools refers to the protection of school networks, devices and data from unauthorized access. Educational facilities are becoming increasingly reliant on technology for a variety of uses and, therefore, need to establish protective defenses to combat a cyberattack.
These cyberattacks can have a massive impact on students, families, staff and other stakeholders that can last much longer than the actual cyberattack itself. According to a U.S. Government report, it can take up to three weeks for classes to resume after a cyberattack and operations behind the scenes can take up to nine months to resume regular service for some school districts.
Why is cybersecurity important for schools?
The consequences of a cyberattack can be devastating for a school. Not only could it compromise the safety and security of teachers and school administrations, but also students’ privacy. The disclosure and theft of student data, disruption of school operations with a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, ransomware for extortion and the corruption of school systems, such as a school security camera solution, are just a few of the consequences of a cyberattack.
As a result, K‑12 schools, colleges and education facilities should prioritize cybersecurity to improve their defenses against cyberattacks and avoid the outcomes above, which could cause widespread disruption, cost the organization millions of dollars and lead to reputational harm.
Top tips to improve cybersecurity in schools
To improve your school’s cybersecurity posture, there are numerous steps you can take to address any weaknesses and vulnerabilities that exist. Some of these tips are simple to implement, while some require budget allocation and expert help, but these proven techniques can enhance your school or college’s cybersecurity.
1. Regularly monitor your networks and data
By undertaking regular network and data monitoring, IT and technology teams can identify any malicious activity that requires addressing. This can include students carrying out crypto-mining activities using school computers, users accessing restricted websites and even downloading illegal content or malicious software. This tip can prevent security breaches and malicious hackers from gaining entry into a school’s systems.
2. Keep software and systems up-to-date
Keeping technology up-to-date, including your IP security cameras, is critical to a robust cybersecurity plan. Malicious actors will prey on outdated systems and unpatched vulnerabilities for cyberattacks. Advanced video security solutions, such as Pelco Elevate, will perform automatic camera updates to help ensure the system can combat the latest cybersecurity threats.
However, not all school security solutions and technology feature this capability. As a result, it is imperative to perform regular vulnerability scanning and audits to highlight any weaknesses that need to be addressed and update and upgrade technologies that are no longer cyber-secure. This will greatly reduce the risk of a cyberattack as your technology should be built to repel the latest cyber threats.
3. Implement protective controls
To implement the right level of protective controls and navigate the landscape of threats and vulnerabilities, schools must leverage a cybersecurity framework, such as the NIST-CSF or CIS Controls. These frameworks are sets of standards, guidelines and best practices that help educational organizations develop and maintain a strong cybersecurity posture.
Standard protective controls can include an intrusion prevention system, firewalls, anti-virus software, email security, staff and student training, encryption, creating backups, and more, including controlling physical access to school technology.
4. Segment your school’s network security
When a school’s systems are compromised, the organization’s entire network can be exposed to the hacker. By segmenting the network, schools can stop malicious actors from accessing more areas of the network through lateral and horizontal movement. As a result, if a hack were to occur, the school’s entire network would not be compromised and some operations could still carry on as usual.
5. Train your staff and students
Schools can greatly benefit from digital security training on cybersecurity best practices for staff and students. It’s a well-known fact that staff and students can, intentionally or unintentionally, cause a cybersecurity breach that can sabotage a school district. By providing training that covers what to look out for, how to spot a phishing email and cybersecurity hygiene, schools can reduce the number of incidents resulting from an unintentional action.
6. Restrict access privileges
Another key best practice that schools and districts should follow is limiting who has access to networks, data, IT infrastructure and campus security systems. By restricting a user’s access privileges to what is needed to perform their role, schools can dramatically reduce the chances of a hacker or bad actor using high-level access privileges to navigate digital databases and physically access premises and technology.
7. Adopt strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Adopting a strong password policy, combined with the use of an MFA tool, can help stop bad actors from getting unauthorized access to private data and operating systems. Standardizing password length, limiting login attempts, implementing a lock-out policy and asking users to change their password every 90 days can support the school’s plans to improve their cybersecurity posture. A handy MFA tool can strengthen a school’s defenses against unauthorized access by adding this extra security step for users.
8. Vet your vendors
Every school uses vendors to perform services, such as video security support, data storage and networks, that support day-to-day operations. However, they can also be the gateway for a hacker to gain access to a school’s systems, such as security cameras and access control technology. Therefore, schools must consider how important cybersecurity is to these third-party organizations.
A school’s cybersecurity defenses are only as good as their weakest part. If vendors do not prioritize cybersecurity and follow good cyber hygiene practices, they could be the entryway hackers use to access a school’s networks and systems. Therefore, a thorough vetting process must be undertaken on new and existing vendors to understand how cyber-secure they are.
9. Plan for a cyberattack
While it may not be a tip that improves cybersecurity, the actions that follow the detection of a cyberattack can greatly affect the breach’s impact. A quick and decisive response from the school district can make a massive difference. Therefore, schools must implement defined policies and processes to clarify what needs to happen upon detecting a cyberattack. By following these streamlined processes and assigning clear responsibilities to teams for such an event, the school is better equipped to handle an incident and help reduce disruption, minimize data leaks and the financial cost.
Conclusion
Schools and college campuses face an enormous task to successfully combat every type of cyberattack. The number of gateways and methods available to hackers means that it is a complex challenge for schools to overcome. Coupled with new types of cyberattacks cropping up every year, it is even more difficult for educational organizations to keep track. However, following the above tips and best practices, they can improve their cybersecurity defenses to help protect their systems and networks, including their safety and security solutions, against future cyberattacks.