Privacy & Security Video

How Schools Can Prevent a Cyberattack

By Lauraine Langreo, Lauren Santucci & Jaclyn Borowski — August 14, 2025 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

Cyberattacks on school districts have become so common in recent years that district leaders say it’s not a matter of if it will happen to their district, but when.

These incidents are becoming tougher to tackle as districts rely more heavily on the use of digital technology for instruction and the management of schools. Cybercriminals are also getting more sophisticated due to advances in technology, such as artificial intelligence.

Cyberattacks can cause huge problems for districts, including the loss of instructional time and having to spend thousands of dollars responding to an attack. While districts can’t fully eliminate the risk of cyberattacks, there are steps they can take to mitigate them.

See also

Illustration of thief peeking out of computer.
DigitalVision Vectors
Privacy & Security AI Fuels Increase in Ransomware Attacks Against Schools
Lauraine Langreo, August 7, 2025
3 min read

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Special Education Webinar
Hidden Costs of Special Ed Vacancies: Solutions for Your District
When provider vacancies hit, students feel it first. Hear what district leaders are doing to keep IEP-related services on track.
Content provided by Huddle Up
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Privacy & Security Webinar
How Technology Is Reshaping Childhood
How do we protect kids online while embracing innovation? Learn about navigating safety, privacy, and opportunity in the Digital Age.
Content provided by Connect x Protect
Budget & Finance Webinar Creative Approaches to K-12 Budget Realities
What are districts prioritizing in 2026? New survey data reveals emerging K-12 budgeting trends.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Privacy & Security A Cyberattack on Canvas Could Cause Lasting Aftershocks for Schools
Data from millions of students might have been compromised.
Concept image of security breach, system hacked alert with red broken padlock icon showing vulnerable access.
Nicolas Herrbach/iStock/Getty
Privacy & Security A Potential Breach of an Anonymous Tip App Could Have Exposed Sensitive Student Data
The breach may have exposed personal information of students attending more than 30,000 schools.
A person types on a laptop, in Miami. Reuters reports that the hacker, using the name Internet Yiff Machine, said in a statement that they hacked and shared the data to expose that the confidential tips people submit through Navigate360’s P3 Global Intel platform are neither secure nor anonymous. The breach may have exposed the personal information of students attending more than 30,000 schools in the United States.
Cybersecurity experts recommend that schools should take steps now to protect student data as they wait for confirmation of a potential hack of Navigate360’s P3 Global Intel platform, which features a safety tip line.
Wilfredo Lee/AP
Privacy & Security How School Leaders Can Combat Rising Cyber Threats
Continuous training and student engagement can be key in protecting schools.
4 min read
Image with icons for "i" information, email, eye for "watch", and locks.
Collage via Canva
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.
6 min read
Illustration of woman defending school from monster with tentacles.
DigitalVision Vectors