News > Cyber-Security > CS-General
by Kevin Wood

Schools Under Siege: Cyberattacks Threaten Education and Student Safety

education staff on alert

A disturbing pattern is unfolding across the nation: schools of all sizes are finding themselves in the crosshairs of increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. As the Albuquerque Public Schools incident and countless others illustrate, the consequences are severe. Disrupted learning, compromised student data, and exorbitant recovery costs endanger student well-being and put immense pressure on already strained school budgets.

Why Schools Are Vulnerable

Cybersecurity experts point to several factors that make educational institutions prime targets for cybercriminals:

• Outdated Technology: Many schools still rely on aging systems and software with known vulnerabilities that attackers can easily exploit.
• Valuable Data: Student records, including personal and even health information, are a treasure trove for criminals seeking to commit identity theft and fraud.
• Limited Resources: School districts often lack substantial budgets and dedicated IT personnel to implement robust security measures.
• Pressure to Restore Systems: The critical role schools play in students’ lives means leaders may be more likely to consider paying ransoms, further fueling attacks.

The tactics used against schools like Albuquerque, Atlanta, and many others are diverse and insidious:

• Ransomware: Hackers encrypt school data, demanding payment for its release. This can cripple teaching, communication, and grading systems, causing widespread chaos.
• Data Theft: Even if a ransom isn’t paid, student and staff information can be stolen, leading to long-term risks like fraud and identity theft.
• Zoombombing and Denial-of-Service Attacks: These disruptions are designed to either shock and traumatize students or overwhelm networks, hindering online learning and undermining virtual classrooms.

The Devastating Impact

The fallout of a successful cyberattack on a school extends far beyond the immediate operational crisis:

• Student Privacy Violations: Compromised data puts students at risk of lasting harm.
• Damaged Reputation: Families may lose trust in schools that struggle to safeguard information.
• Mental Health Impacts: Cyberattacks can disrupt vital support networks for students already facing complex social and emotional challenges.
• Exacerbating Inequalities: Schools in underfunded areas are often disproportionately affected, widening existing gaps in education quality and safety.

Prevention Is Key – BBG Offers Solutions

While no system is foolproof, schools can drastically improve their cybersecurity posture. BBG specializes in tailored solutions for the unique needs of the education sector:

• Risk Assessment: We conduct a thorough examination of your infrastructure, pinpointing priority vulnerabilities, and crafting a clear path for strengthening defenses.
• Layered Defense: Our solutions include firewalls, endpoint protection, network monitoring, strict password policies, and multi-factor authentication, creating multiple barriers for attackers.
• Backup and Disaster Recovery: Secure offline backups and clear recovery plans ensure schools can minimize the impact of an attack and recover essential systems swiftly.
• Training and Awareness: Educating staff, teachers, and even students on how to recognize threats and practice cyber-hygiene is essential for building a security-conscious community.
• Incident Response Support: In the event of a breach, BBG assists schools in containing damage, facilitating clear communication, and working to restore systems quickly.

Schools can no longer afford to neglect cybersecurity. Protecting our students, staff, and the critical resources entrusted to our educational institutions is a fundamental duty. BBG is a committed partner, helping schools ensure that technology remains a force for learning, not a tool for disruption and harm.

Contact BBG today for a comprehensive security assessment: info@bbg-mn.com

Important Note: I’ve drawn on reputable sources, including the K12 Security Information eXchange (K12 SIX), the National Cybersecurity Alliance, and news reports.