Spam and Phishing: how to protect your school

Did you know that nearly half of all emails sent globally are spam? And that 75% of cyberattacks in schools are carried out via phishing? These numbers are a wake-up call for the education sector. Spam and phishing attacks are not just an inconvenience—they're a serious threat to your school’s data, finances, and reputation. But with a few simple steps, you can protect your institution from these dangers.

The Growing Cyber Threat in Schools

As schools become more digital, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting them. Why? Schools store a vast amount of sensitive data - student records, staff details, financial information - and they often lack robust cybersecurity measures. This makes them prime targets for phishing attacks, where cybercriminals trick individuals into providing personal information, and spam emails, which can overwhelm systems and expose vulnerabilities.

The Alarming Stats

Here’s the reality:

• 46% of all emails sent worldwide are spam.
• 90% of data breaches begin with a phishing email. 
• Costs and disruption caused by cyber incidents and data breaches vary wildly – from tens of thousands of pounds, to hundreds of thousands or even millions of pounds.
  • Consider, that a single ransom payment will often exceed £100,000;
  • 2024 statistics suggest that over 50% of organisations end up needing to pay the ransom.

These numbers are not just statistics; they represent real risks to your school’s financial health, operational efficiency, and reputation.

The Scenario: How Phishing and Spam Work

Let’s look at a typical phishing scenario. A teacher receives an email that appears to come from the school’s IT department, asking them to “click here” to reset their password. The email looks authentic, but it’s a phishing attempt. By clicking the link, the teacher unknowingly provides their login details to cybercriminals, who can then access the school's systems and sensitive data.

It’s easy to see how this could happen in a busy school environment, where staff members are juggling multiple tasks. Phishing attacks rely on human error, which is why they are so dangerous. Once the hackers gain access, they can steal sensitive information, disrupt operations, or even lock your data until a ransom is paid.

The Risks

The consequences of falling victim to spam and phishing attacks are serious:

• Data Breaches: Personal information of students and staff could be compromised, leading to privacy violations and legal consequences.
• Financial Loss: Cybercriminals often target payment systems, leading to fraudulent transactions.
• Reputational Damage: News of a cyberattack can spread quickly, eroding trust among parents, students, and staff.
• Operational Disruptions: Malware or ransomware attacks can bring school operations to a halt, impacting everything from lesson plans to student records.

Practical steps to mitigate the risks

While the risks are real, there are clear steps your school can take to protect itself:

1. Educate staff and students: Awareness is your first line of defence. Train staff and students to recognise phishing emails, suspicious attachments, and malicious links. Make sure they know to question anything that seems urgent or too good to be true.
2. Use strong spam filters: Ensure your email system is equipped with strong spam filters that can block the majority of phishing and spam emails before they even reach the inbox. Many email systems offer advanced spam protection that can detect suspicious emails based on known characteristics.
3. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Even if someone does fall for a phishing attempt, MFA can prevent hackers from accessing your school’s systems. MFA requires an additional verification step, such as a text message or authentication app, making it much harder for hackers to succeed.
4. Update software regularly: Keep all software, including email platforms and antivirus programs, up-to-date. Patches for known vulnerabilities are regularly released, and applying them promptly will reduce the chances of an attack.
5. Verify suspicious emails: Encourage staff to double-check the sender’s email address, especially if the message contains unusual requests or links. If in doubt, verify the request via another communication channel.
6. Backup data: Regularly back up school data to a secure, offsite location. In case of a ransomware attack or data breach, having up-to-date backups ensures that operations can quickly resume without significant loss of data.

Spam and phishing are real threats to schools, but they are preventable. By educating your staff, using the right tools, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity, you can dramatically reduce the risks to your school. If you're ready to be proactive with your cuber security approach our cyber services can help fortify your school, book a meeting with our team today!

Remember, cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility - from administrators to teachers to students. Taking action today can protect your school from costly and disruptive cyberattacks tomorrow.

Stay vigilant, stay secure.