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Schools are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals looking to steal data or cause disruption. According to recent studies, K-12 school cyberattack cases in the U.S. have been on the rise over the past few years, and experts expect this trend to continue.
Cyberattacks can compromise the private information of students and school staff, which can result in serious consequences like identity theft. In this article, we’ll look into the major cybersecurity threats schools face, the reasons why schools are such an attractive ransomware target, and potential solutions for keeping your child’s private data safe.
The Most Common Types of School Cyberattacks
As technology becomes more integrated into the classroom, cybercriminals are employing different attack methods. The most common cyberattack threats for schools include:
| Type of Cyberattack | What It Entails |
| Phishing attack | Phishing involves sending fraudulent emails to trick the recipients into providing sensitive data or downloading malware. Schools are a prime target, especially if the students and staff are uneducated about phishing risks |
| Ransomware | Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts files, enabling the cybercriminals to hold them for ransom. Once this happens, the only options are to pay the ransom or try to restore the data from backups |
| Data breach | A data breach involves any unauthorized access to information systems. Schools are top targets for data breaches because their student and staff records contain sensitive information like Social Security numbers (SSNs), which can be used for malicious activities |
| DDoS attack | Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks overload servers and network infrastructure to take systems offline. They aim to disrupt school operations, often during testing periods or admissions |
Unique Vulnerabilities of School Cybersecurity
[Image suggestion: A group of students with multiple devices logged on the internet]
Schools face unique cybersecurity challenges compared to other organizations due to several factors:
- Open networks
- Unsecured devices
- Data sensitivity
- Limited expertise
Open Networks
Wi-Fi networks in schools are often open or have weak passwords, allowing fairly easy access to the network—and cybercriminals are aware of this vulnerability. Once connected to a school WiFi, hackers can monitor network activity or install malware to gain access to connected devices, which they can then control and exploit.
Unsecured devices
Schools use various devices to facilitate education, including computers and smart boards; in addition, the students often bring their own laptops and tablets to school. If these devices aren’t properly handled and protected with advanced security methods, they pose a unique vulnerability in case someone gains access to any sensitive data stored on them.
Unsecured devices are especially problematic if the school staff and students haven’t received any education about device security best practices.
Data Sensitivity
Schools collect and store sensitive data like student records, medical information, and financial details. This data can be an attractive target for cybercriminals looking to steal personal information and use it for malicious purposes like identity theft.
If the school doesn’t implement any measures to safeguard this data in compliance with regulations like the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), it may become a target of data breaches.
Limited Expertise
Not many schools employ dedicated cybersecurity personnel or implement ways to achieve expertise on the matter of cybersecurity. School technology staff frequently have limited security training and may be unaware of the latest threats or best practices. This leaves school staff and students without the knowledge or resources they need to help address their unique vulnerabilities.
Best Practices for Securing School Networks Against Cyber Threats
[Image suggestion: Weak password alert on a computer screen]
As attacks become more advanced, schools need to take proactive measures to secure their networks against cyber threats. Some cybersecurity best practices include:
- Conducting regular risk assessments
- Providing ongoing security awareness training
- Strengthening security
- Controlling access to sensitive data
Conducting Regular Risk Assessments
Schools should run routine risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and prioritize areas that need improvement in their security practices. To help prioritize risks based on their likelihood and potential impact, schools should assess aspects like:
- Outdated software
- Weak passwords
- Unpatched systems
- Lack of multi-factor authentication
Since the number of cyber threats keeps increasing, it’s recommended that schools conduct risk assessments at least once a year to stay updated with the latest risks and adjust their defenses accordingly.
Providing Ongoing Security Awareness Training
Even the most advanced security controls can be bypassed if staff and students aren’t trained on basic cyber risks and best practices. Schools should implement regular cybersecurity awareness training to teach students and staff how to spot phishing emails, keep systems up to date, and report suspicious activity.
Strengthening Security
Implementing multi-factor authentication, data encryption, firewalls, and other tools will make it much harder for attackers to access sensitive systems and information. Schools should also enforce strong password policies with minimum length and complexity requirements and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible, especially for staff and student accounts.
Controlling Access to Sensitive Data
Not everyone within an organization or institution needs access to every piece of data. Restricting access to personally identifiable information (PII) and sensitive data ensures that only those with a legitimate need can access such information. This reduces the chances of accidental leaks or deliberate misuse. Schools should use role-based access controls and monitor access to sensitive data to detect misuse.
While schools have a responsibility to secure the information of children and staff from cyberattacks, you can do your part to protect your child’s personal data as well. Children are especially vulnerable to data exploitation—in fact, a child’s identity is stolen every 30 seconds. To safeguard your child from these threats, you should take proactive steps, including subscribing to identity protection services like FreeKick to ensure ongoing data security.
Reduce the Risk of Identity Theft With FreeKick
Powered by Austin Capital Bank, FreeKick is a unique product that focuses on keeping your family’s PII secure. It’s a combination of a deposit account protected by FDIC insurance and additional identity monitoring services for up to two adult parents and six children aged 0–25.
Identity Protection Services
When you sign up for an account, FreeKick starts keeping a close eye on your identity and that of your children to ensure their safety. You’ll have access to all the services FreeKick offers, including:
| Services for Adult Children and Parents | Services for Minor Children |
| Credit profile monitoring Social Security number monitoring Dark web monitoring for personal information Up to $1 million identity theft insurance Full-service white-glove concierge credit restoration Lost wallet protection Court records monitoring Change of address monitoring Non-credit (Payday) loan monitoring Free FICO® Score monthly FICO® Score factors Experian credit report monthly | Credit profile monitoring Social Security number monitoring Dark web monitoring for children’s personal information Up to $1 million identity theft insurance Full-service white-glove concierge credit restoration Sex offender monitoring—based on sponsor parent’s address |
Parent-Sponsored Credit Building and Monitoring
In addition to providing ID monitoring for parents and their children, FreeKick offers another incredibly valuable service—automated credit building for children aged 13 to 25. When you build a credit history for your child early in life, it can significantly improve their credit profile, allowing them to possibly save up to $200,000 during their lifetime through better loan terms and other financial advantages.
For many students, accessing credit options can be quite challenging. However, FreeKick offers a solution that can significantly contribute to your child’s financial well-being. The process is straightforward:
- Create an Account—Register at FreeKick.bank and choose your preferred plan to activate your account. Once your child is of legal age, they can activate credit reporting. If they are already a legal adult, FreeKick will automatically report their credit to the three major consumer credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
- Set It and Forget It—Once you activate your account, FreeKick creates a 12-month credit history for your child by providing a no-interest credit builder loan that’s repaid using the deposit
- Keep Growing—At the end of the 12-month term, you can decide whether to renew your account for another term or close it and get a full refund of your initial deposit
You can close your account at any time with no penalties. However, if you close the account while your child is still a minor, no credit can be reported for the account due to credit bureaus’ restrictions.
FreeKick Pricing
FreeKick offers a range of plans to suit different budgets, and each plan is FDIC-insured up to $250,000. Check out the details in the table below:
| FDIC-Insured Deposit Amount | Plan Fee |
| $3,000 | Free |
| No deposit | $149/year |
To safeguard your child’s identity from the risks of school cyberattacks while also building their credit history for a more stable financial future, sign up for FreeKick today.
Freekick provides a double dose of financial empowerment and security for your whole family. It helps teens and young adults build strong credit profiles and offers identity motoring for up to two adult parents and six children under 25.
