Protecting your school from digital attack

In today's digital age, educational institutions have become a prime target for cyberattacks. School IT staff are responding to these threats as David Vermonden, a lecturer at AP Hogeschool in Antwerp, highlights in a recent video. According to Vermonden, 70% of global cyberattacks now target educational institutions, making them a preferred target for criminals. But why is education such a vulnerable sector? 

The answer lies in a combination of factors unique to education, including an overwhelming number of connected devices and limited cybersecurity budgets. With more devices to secure and fewer resources to do so, schools have become an easy target. Vermonden identifies two major types of attacks:

1. External attacks that exploit school infrastructure to launch further breaches
2. Internal threats where students, often unknowingly, compromise the network. 

In some cases, vital research data from colleges or universities has been stolen and sold.  One particularly alarming example Vermonden shares is a "man-in-the-middle" attack, where a student rerouted all internet traffic through their smartphone, capturing usernames and passwords. This kind of breach can disrupt operations for weeks, as it did for one school, forcing staff to work from home and cancelling classes. 

The fallout from such attacks can be devastating, ranging from financial costs to reputational damage. Leaks of sensitive information like medical records can irreparably harm a school’s reputation, affecting trust among students, parents, and staff. 

To tackle these threats, schools need to adopt a holistic approach to cybersecurity. Vermonden suggests solutions like Microsoft Defender, which offers comprehensive protection, from securing devices to monitoring key elements like email servers and platforms such as Microsoft Teams. As more educational tools migrate to the cloud, securing these environments becomes even more crucial. Microsoft Defender for Cloud also protects databases housing sensitive information, ensuring that only authorized users can access them. These solutions ensure that schools are well-defended against both external and internal cyber threats.   

Despite the increasing complexity of cyber threats, Vermonden emphasises that teachers and students often remain unaware of the risks. That’s why he argues that regular security training and awareness programs are essential to keep everyone informed and vigilant. 

Looking to create a secure digital environment for your institution? Get in touch with us today to learn how Microsoft’s security products can help safeguard students and staff. 

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