Cyber Security for Schools – Protecting Your Staff, Students & Data
Education is now among the most common targets of cyber attacks. From phishing emails to ransomware and data breaches, a successful attack can close classrooms, disrupt exams and put sensitive safeguarding information at risk.
As a Cyber Essentials Plus certified provider, we put cyber security for schools and MATs at the heart of every network, device and cloud service we manage. Our cyber security solutions are designed to help you reduce risk and meet key IT security and compliance expectations, including:
- Cyber audits and health checks.
- Staff training and phishing simulations.
- Next-generation network and firewall security.
- Secure Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace tenancies.
- Anti-phishing protection and email security.
- Endpoint protection and device management.
Whether you’re a single primary school, a secondary school or a large MAT, we’ll help you understand your cyber risks and put in place a clear, affordable plan to reduce them. Book a no-obligation cyber security consultation with us.
School Cyber Security Services
Every school is different, so we start with a cyber security audit and build a plan that fits your size, budget, and existing IT setup.
Typical areas we cover include:
Network and Firewall Security
- Next-generation firewalls configured for school environments.
- Secure Wi-Fi for staff, students and guests with appropriate separation.
- School broadband and web content filtering to block harmful or inappropriate sites.
- Regular updates and monitoring to keep your network protected.
Secure Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace Tenancies
- Best-practice configuration for staff and student accounts in Microsoft 365, and specialist setup and support for Google Workspace for Education.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and conditional access for staff.
- Role-based access to SharePoint, OneDrive and Google Drive.
- Controls to prevent accidental or unauthorised data sharing.
Email Security and Anti-Phishing Protection
- Advanced spam and malware filtering for staff and shared mailboxes.
- Protection against spoofed domains and impersonation attacks.
- Phishing simulations to safely train staff to spot scams.
Backup, Disaster Recovery and Ransomware Protection
- Secure, off-site backups of servers, cloud data – M365, Google Workspace and key systems.
- Regular test restores of data and accounts, so you know your backups work.
- Clear recovery plans to minimise downtime if the worst happens.
Endpoint Protection and Device Management
- Modern antivirus/EDR on staff laptops and critical devices.
- Standard, secure build images for staff and student machines.
- Remote management, patching and the ability to remotely lock or wipe lost end-user devices.
Staff Training and Cyber Awareness
- Training can be delivered as part of your ongoing ICT support with Classroom365 or with your existing provider.
- Simple guidance on passwords, phishing and safe data handling.
- Refresher training to keep awareness high throughout the year.
Policy, DPO and Documentation Support
- Support with acceptable use policies for staff and students, aligned with your safeguarding and online safety requirements.
- Help draft or update contingency plans, data protection, and remote working policies that are practical for busy staff.
- Incident response plans so everyone knows what to do if something goes wrong, including who to inform and how to record it.
- Working alongside your school’s Data Protection Officer (DPO), whether external or in-house, to make sure technical controls, policies and GDPR obligations all line up.
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IT Security and Compliance for Schools
We help schools meet key IT security and compliance expectations, not just “tick boxes”. Our work aligns technical controls and documentation with the DfE Cyber Security Standards and NCSC best practice, so leadership, DPOs and governors can be confident that risks are being appropriately managed.
Our IT security and compliance work typically includes:
- Interpreting DfE cyber security standards.
- Aligning with NCSC technical security guidance and controls.
- Ensuring secure configuration and regular patching of servers, devices and cloud platforms.
- Strengthening access control and identity management for staff and students.
- Planning for backup, recovery and business continuity.
- Defining logging, monitoring and clear incident response procedures.
This means your technical setup, policies, and day-to-day IT support all pull in the same direction, making it easier to demonstrate strong cyber security and data protection to inspectors, governors, and auditors.
Why Schools Need Cyber Security
Schools hold a considerable amount of valuable and sensitive information – from pupil records and staff HR data to safeguarding notes and exam materials. At the same time, budgets are tight, and many schools rely on a small IT team or a single ICT coordinator.
Recent UK Government surveys show that around 60% of secondary schools report at least one security breach or attack each year. This combination makes a school an attractive target for attackers.
Common threats we see in education include:
- Phishing emails that trick staff into sharing passwords or payment details.
- Compromised accounts in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace are used to send spam or access data.
- Ransomware that encrypts files and demands payment to restore access, with the NCSC repeatedly warning of ransomware campaigns against the UK education sector.
- Weak passwords and shared logins across staff and student accounts, which are still highlighted as fundamental weaknesses in NCSC and DfE guidance.
- Unsecured devices – particularly staff laptops and removable media – which frequently appear in ICO breach reports for the education sector.
A serious incident can mean days of lost teaching time, reputational damage with parents and potential action from the ICO if personal data is involved. Cyber security in schools is now a key part of safeguarding and leadership responsibilities, involving all sectors of school life.
Our role is to translate the technical detail into clear, practical steps your SLT, business manager and governors can understand and support.
Cyber Essentials for Schools
Cyber Essentials is the UK government-backed scheme that helps organisations protect themselves against the most common cyber threats. Cyber Essentials Plus goes a step further by including independent testing of your systems and controls.
Alongside Cyber Essentials Plus, Classroom365 is also ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified, giving you confidence that we apply information security practices across our own organisation. This means we:
- Follow proven, audited security practices in our own systems and processes.
- Understand exactly what schools need to put in place to meet the standard.
- Can guide you through your own cyber journey, from gap analysis to certification.
For the education sector, achieving cyber security certification provides reassurance for governors and trustees, supports risk registers and shows parents and staff that cyber security is being taken seriously.
If you’d like your school or trust to work towards certification, we can build it into your cyber security roadmap and get you certified fast.
Cyber Security, Safeguarding and Online Safety
Cyber security isn’t just about protecting systems and data. In schools, it is closely linked to safeguarding and online safety. A weak security posture can undermine all the work you do to keep pupils safe, both in and out of the classroom. Find out more about the recent KCSIE 2025 changes to filtering, monitoring and cyber.
Protecting Pupils Online
- Age-appropriate web filtering that blocks harmful content while allowing access to learning resources.
- Monitoring and reporting to help identify safeguarding concerns early.
- Controls on devices to prevent the installation of unsafe apps or software.
We work with your DSL and safeguarding team to ensure that the technical controls support your broader online safety strategy and align with your policies.
Protecting Staff and Sensitive Data
- Secure access to supported MIS, HR and safeguarding systems from on-site and remote locations.
- Least-privilege access so staff only see the data they need.
- Encrypted devices and secure storage for documents containing personal information.
When staff feel confident that the systems they use are secure, they can focus on teaching, support and leadership rather than worrying about ICT across their school.
Supporting Your DSL and Safeguarding Team
- Clear logging and audit trails to support investigations.
- Simple processes for reporting suspected breaches or online incidents.
- Regular reviews to check that technical measures keep pace with changes in guidance.
We see ourselves as part of your safeguarding ecosystem, working alongside pastoral staff, DSLs and governors to keep pupils and staff safe.
How We Work With Schools and Multi-Academy Trusts
Our approach is designed to be straightforward, transparent and realistic for busy schools and trusts.
Step 1: Cyber Security Health Check
We start with a health check of your current setup, reviewing your network infrastructure, servers and cloud platforms, how staff and students access systems and data, your backups, patching, antivirus/EDR coverage, and your existing policies and procedures.
You receive an easy-to-understand report highlighting immediate risks and quick wins using simple traffic-light ratings.
Download our free School Cyber Security Health Check Checklist (PDF, opens in a new tab)
You can work through this checklist internally or use it as the starting point for a review with Classroom365
Step 2: Clear Roadmap and Priorities
Next, we agree on a roadmap that fits your budget and timetable, focusing on the highest risks first, planning medium-term improvements across the year, and aligning technical work with policy updates and staff training. For MATs, we can create a standard baseline while still allowing for local differences where needed.
Step 3: Ongoing Monitoring and Support
Cyber security is not a one-off project. As threats evolve, we provide ongoing support through proactive monitoring and alerts, regular patching and updates, and routine reviews of your security posture, policies and training. Our friendly ICT helpdesk is available from 08:30 to 17:00, so staff have a single place to go for their school’s IT and security support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is cyber security in schools?
Cyber security in schools is the protection of school networks, systems, devices and data from cyber attacks such as phishing, hacking and ransomware. It includes technical controls such as firewalls and backups, strong passwords and access controls, clear policies, and staff and pupil training, so that safeguarding, learning, and data protection are not put at risk.
Do schools really get targeted by hackers?
Yes. Schools are attractive targets because they hold valuable data and often have limited internal IT resources. Attackers know that staff are busy and may be more likely to click on a convincing email or link. The good news is that many attacks can be prevented with relatively simple cyber security measures, such as strong passwords.
Is Cyber Essentials mandatory for schools?
Cyber Essentials is not currently mandatory for all schools, but it is increasingly recommended as a minimum baseline. Many trusts and local authorities expect it, and it is seen positively by governors and auditors. Working towards Cyber Essentials is a practical way to improve your security, whether or not you go on to formal certification.
How much does school cyber security cost?
The cost depends on your current setup and the level of protection you want. We focus first on the highest risks and quick wins, then plan longer-term improvements. Our aim is always to provide value for money and to make the best use of your existing systems where possible.
What should we do if we think we’ve been hacked?
If you suspect a cyber incident, it is essential to act quickly. Isolate affected devices, change any compromised passwords, and contact your IT support provider immediately. We can help you contain the incident, assess the impact and follow the correct reporting steps, including any data protection obligations.
Can you work with our existing IT team?
Yes. We regularly work alongside IT staff in schools and trusts. We can provide specialist cyber security expertise or additional project capacity. Our goal is to support your team, not replace them.
Mark Friend, BSc (Hons), is a Company Director at Classroom365 and has worked in technology for nearly 30 years. His IT career started with Rothschild Bank in Sydney, Australia, before working as a Global VPN Project Manager for the British Council. Mark has 20 years of experience in the UK education sector, helping schools integrate the latest tech into their curriculum and ICT vision.