Cybersecurity

Explainer

School Cyberattacks, Explained
Hackers are terrorizing schools with increasingly complex attacks, causing data breaches and more. Here’s what educators need to know.
Illustration of hacker peeking out of computer.
DigitalVision Vectors
Special Report AI Is Supercharging Cyberattacks. What Schools Need to Know and Do
Schools are working to protect themselves against increasingly sophisticated, AI-driven cyberattacks.
February 17, 2026
Illustration of people about to be ensnared by cyber-like bear trap.
DigitalVision Vectors
IT Infrastructure & Management Q&A Hackers Are 'Getting Really Smart.’ How Schools Can Boost Their Defenses
What’s especially worrisome is the ability of cyber criminals to use AI to mimic real people.
Kevin Bushweller, February 17, 2026
4 min read
Illustration of woman defending school from monster with tentacles.
DigitalVision Vectors
Privacy & Security From Our Research Center Is AI Ready to Protect Schools From Cyberattacks?
Some experts and district tech leaders are unsure what role the tech should play in cybersecurity.
Lauraine Langreo, February 17, 2026
6 min read
Illustration of thief/fisherman catching at (@) symbol.
DigitalVision Vectors
Privacy & Security These Students Tricked Teachers With Phishing Emails—for a Good Cause
The exercise helped students understand how to protect themselves against hackers.
Alyson Klein, February 17, 2026
8 min read
Illustration of hacker peeking out of computer.
DigitalVision Vectors
Privacy & Security Why AI Is a Big Problem for School Cybersecurity
Many school districts are ill-prepared to defend themselves against AI-powered cyberattacks.
Arianna Prothero, February 17, 2026
9 min read
Illustration of woman shining a flashlight on giant computer servers with alert warning.
DigitalVision Vectors
Privacy & Security Q&A ‘Things That Scare Me and Keep Me Up at Night.' A Tech Leader on AI Threats
AI is now being used to supercharge cyberattacks against schools.
Kevin Bushweller, February 17, 2026
3 min read
Art teacher Lindsay Johnson, second from left, teaches students how to use AI to ask Canva for help during a summer class at Roosevelt Middle School on June 25, 2025, in River Forest, Ill.
Art teacher Lindsay Johnson, second from left, teaches students how to use AI to ask Canva for help during a summer class at Roosevelt Middle School on June 25, 2025, in River Forest, Ill. Dealing with artificial intelligence issues in education is the top priority for state education leaders for the first time, according to an annual survey.
Nam Y. Huh/AP
Artificial Intelligence We’re Entering a New Phase of AI in Schools. How Are States Responding?
Artificial intelligence topped the list of state technology officials’ priorities for the first time in an annual survey.
Alyson Klein, September 10, 2025
2 min read
Conceptual of interface security and banking/finance information technology. Vector illustration.
iStock/Getty
Privacy & Security Cyberattacks Are a Big Problem. Can Schools Manage Without Federal Help?
The Trump administration has rolled back federal resources to prevent, and respond to, attacks.
Alyson Klein, September 9, 2025
5 min read
Privacy & Security Video How to Respond to a Cyberattack
Here are practical tips for districts after they experience a hack.
1 min read
Privacy & Security Video How Schools Can Prevent a Cyberattack
When a cyberattack happens, schools can lose instructional time, as well as thousands of dollars responding to it.
1 min read
Illustration of thief peeking out of computer.
DigitalVision Vectors
Privacy & Security AI Fuels Increase in Ransomware Attacks Against Schools
Experts recommend specific steps schools should take to prevent future attacks.
Lauraine Langreo, August 7, 2025
3 min read
Gloved hand reaching into a laptop screen hacking someone's account.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
Privacy & Security Q&A Why Teachers Need to Take Cybersecurity Seriously
Cyberattacks are becoming more common in schools.
Lauraine Langreo, June 30, 2025
3 min read
Eye of the hacker in a keyhole . Spyware, hacking, cybercrime concept. Vector illustration.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Privacy & Security Tech Glitch Could Have Exposed Thousands of School Districts' Confidential Files
The incident shows the challenges school districts and education companies face in protecting sensitive data.
Lauraine Langreo, June 18, 2025
3 min read
The New York Stock Exchange is decorated on July 28, 2021 for the first day of public trading of the cloud-based educational software maker, PowerSchool.
The New York Stock Exchange is decorated on July 28, 2021, on the first day of public trading of the cloud-based educational software maker, PowerSchool.
Richard B. Levine/Alamy
Privacy & Security PowerSchool Paid a Hacker's Ransom. Now Cyber Criminals Are Threatening Schools
More extortion attempts are possible, and districts affected by the data breach should be prepared.
4 min read