Common Cyberattacks Targeting K-12 Districts and How to Defend Against Them
تكريمًا لشهر أكتوبر باعتباره شهر التوعية بالأمن السيبراني الوطني، نقوم بتحويل كتابنا الإلكتروني الشامل، كيفية حماية منطقتك التعليمية من الهجمات الإلكترونيةفي سلسلة مدونات قصيرة من ثلاثة أجزاء. تُسلّط هذه السلسلة الضوء على المخاطر المتصاعدة في التعليم، وتُزوّد قادة المناطق باستراتيجيات عملية. تُفصّل السلسلة المحتوى لتسهيل القراءة:
- Part 1 covers the rising threat landscape.
- يتناول الجزء الثاني أنواع الهجوم والدفاعات الشائعة.
- يتناول الجزء الثالث الوقاية المتقدمة والموارد والحلول مثل تلك التي تقدمها Lightspeed Systems.
The sad truth is that cybercriminals are always looking for the next vulnerability, whether that stems from human error or the execution of sophisticated scams. For K–12 school districts, these threats are becoming more frequent, more complex, and more disruptive. This overview breaks down the most common types of cyberattacks targeting schools, highlights how these threats often overlap, and shares practical strategies to help districts strengthen their defenses.
The Human Factor
Breaches often stem from human error, not malice, as a result of limited cybersecurity knowledge.
To counter this, districts can:
- Incorporate cybersecurity training sessions during in-service days.
- Implement mandatory training for staff.
- Include cybersecurity tips in your newsletters.
- Make password protection a cultural norm. Lock down data, avoid sticky notes on monitors, use long passphrases, and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) everywhere.
- Restrict access to essential data and blacklist non-educational sites using tools like web filters. Software that automates password resets or monitors student privacy can further reduce risks.
التصيد الاحتيالي
Phishing scams have become harder to spot, often mimicking legitimate messages with subtle red flags.
To stay ahead, districts should:
- Teach staff to recognize warning signs, such as:
- Incorrect email domains
- Urgent or manipulative language
- Suspicious attachments or mismatched URLs
- Misspellings or grammar errors
- Reinforcing good habits regularly through newsletters or training:
- Hover over links before clicking
- Verify “urgent” requests through proper channels
- Avoid clicking anything that feels off
- Support with tech: A strong spam filter adds a critical layer of protection.
It is important to see phishing tests as learning opportunities that drive improvement. Not something that is used as a shame tactic. I love it when someone sends me a phish that hooked them and explains exactly how it got them. I know they have learned and are better prepared to spot the real phish.
Spam Injections via Comments
Open comment sections on blogs, websites, and social media can become easy targets for spammers looking to inject malicious links. Without proper controls, these links can expose users to harmful content or phishing attempts.
To reduce risk, districts should:
- Enable spam filters on blogs and websites to block malicious comment activity
- Monitor and moderate public-facing pages regularly
- Use web filtering tools to manage social media access and apply policies by user, age, or group
- Intentional oversight of online platforms helps ensure that public engagement doesn’t become a cybersecurity liability.
Malware
Malware remains one of the most dangerous cyber threats schools face—often slipping in through personal devices, malicious links, or outdated software.
To defend, districts should:
- Implement strong defenses, like:
- Strong firewalls at both the network and application levels
- Web filters that detect and block malware-hosting sites
- Regular software updates across all devices
- Develop a malware response playbook that outlines:
- Immediate steps to contain and assess the threat
- Key contacts, including insurance providers and local law enforcement
- A clear communication plan for notifying stakeholders
Run periodic tabletop exercises to test your response plan. And if an attack succeeds, don’t go it alone—engage cybersecurity professionals right away.
Formjacking
Formjacking is a stealthy attack that injects malicious code into online forms to steal financial data—especially credit card information. Private and parochial schools that collect payments online may be particularly at risk.
To reduce exposure, districts should:
- Test updates and run regular vulnerability scans, especially on third-party software
- Use secure payment platforms that support tokenization, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or masked credit cards
- Monitor payment pages for unauthorized code changes or suspicious activity
- Proactive testing and secure payment options help protect families and staff from invisible threats hiding in plain sight.
Data Breach
Schools manage a vast amount of sensitive data—from student records to employee information—making them prime targets for breaches.
The biggest risk? Third-party vendors. According to K12 SIX, most school data breaches stem from external administrative services and lax vendor agreements. Weak security practices can expose confidential data to unauthorized access or misuse.
To reduce risk, districts should:
- Vet vendors carefully and require up-to-date, comprehensive security protocols
- Review contracts for clear data protection standards
- Limit access to sensitive information based on role and necessity
- Strong partnerships and strict oversight are key to keeping school data safe.
Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack floods a website or system with traffic from multiple sources, making it inaccessible to legitimate users. While these attacks tend to spike at the start of the school year, they account for only about 1% of cyber incidents in K–12 districts.
To minimize disruption, districts should:
- Use robust firewalls to detect and block malicious traffic
- Set up backup systems and sites to redirect traffic if the primary network goes down (network redundancy)
- Consider services like Cloudflare for added protection, especially if the district’s website is hosted by a cloud provider
- Even if rare, DDoS attacks can be highly disruptive—so having a response plan in place is essential.
