In an increasingly connected world, schools, colleges and universities across the UK face a new and rapidly growing challenge: cyber security. While the education sector has always been about sharing knowledge and fostering learning, it now has a new responsibility to protect itself, its data, and its people from the rising tide of cyber threats.
Immervox is a leading UK telecoms and IT provider, offering complete VoIP telecoms systems, technology solutions and IT support tailored to UK businesses. We’ve seen first-hand just how critical cyber security has become for schools and colleges. Every institution is a potential target, whether an independent primary school or a large multi-academy trust.
Understanding the risks, of course, is only half the story. Building stronger, smarter and safer digital environments for staff and students alike has become imperative.
Why Is the education sector being targeted?
It might surprise some to hear that education is now one of the most targeted sectors in the UK when it comes to cybercrime. According to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), schools and universities report many incidents each year, including phishing attacks, data breaches and ransomware.
Here are a few reasons why:
- High-value data: Schools hold large volumes of personal information, including student records, health information and financial data.
- Limited resources: Many educational institutions lack the in-house expertise to pre-empt, identify and implement strong cyber defences.
- Legacy systems: Outdated infrastructures and unpatched software are goldmines for cyber criminals to exploit and attack if they are not defended.
- Remote access and cloud use: The number of access points has skyrocketed with the rise of remote learning and digital collaboration.
Put simply, education has become an attractive target for attackers, but it doesn’t have to remain one.
A sector under pressure, but not powerless
Cyber attacks on schools don’t just disrupt lessons, they can grind entire operations to a halt. The consequences can be severe, from cancelled classes and lost coursework to reputation damage and fines for data breaches. There is good news, however. While the threats are real, so are the solutions.
By taking a proactive, well-informed approach, educational institutions can protect their systems, reassure their communities and stay compliant with regulations like GDPR and the Department for Education’s digital standards.
At Immervox, we support schools with a complete package of secure VoIP telecoms, managed IT and robust cyber security solutions designed to meet the unique demands of the education sector.
Five steps every UK school can take to strengthen cyber security
Here’s where to start if you want to boost your school’s cyber resilience:
1. Create a cyber-aware culture
Cyber security is not just a job for the IT team. Everyone, from teachers and admin staff to students, needs to understand how to spot threats, act safely online and stay vigilant against evolving risks. We offer tailored training sessions, policy support and ongoing awareness campaigns to build a truly cyber-savvy and resilient environment.
2. Modernise your communications
Old and insecure communication platforms are a weak point for many institutions. Our fully managed VoIP telecoms services reduce costs and come with built-in security features like encryption, remote access controls and regular updates, ensuring your communications are always private and protected from evolving threats.
3. Keep systems updated and monitored
Unpatched software and unmonitored networks are among the easiest ways for hackers to enter. We provide round-the-clock UK-based IT support, patch management and real-time threat monitoring to help spot and stop issues before they escalate. Our proactive approach ensures vulnerabilities are addressed before they become a problem.
4. Back up everything properly
Having a reliable, secure backup system is essential. If ransomware does strike, your ability to recover quickly depends on it. Our cloud-based backup and disaster recovery services ensure your data is protected, easily retrievable and always recoverable. We regularly test our backup systems to ensure seamless recovery and restoration.
5. Review and strengthen access controls
Who has access to what? Implementing strong password policies, multi-factor authentication and role-based permissions can greatly reduce the risk of both external breaches and internal mishaps. We work with you to continuously review and adjust access controls, ensuring that only authorised individuals can access sensitive information.
Compliance: the silent (but vital) piece of the puzzle
While compliance might not sound exciting, it’s critical. Whether it’s GDPR, the DfE’s cyber security standards, or safeguarding responsibilities, schools are under pressure to demonstrate robust digital protections. We help you stay compliant and without headaches, offering policy reviews, audit support and reporting tools, tailored for education settings.
Let’s keep UK education safe and connected
The education sector has made enormous strides in embracing digital technology, but strong, forward-thinking cyber defences must match that progress. No school, college or university should have to navigate these risks alone.
At Immervox, we combine secure telecoms, expert IT support and sector-specific cyber security to give your institution the confidence and protection it needs, without the jargon or fuss.
Ready to strengthen your school’s digital defences? Let’s have a chat. We’ll discuss practical advice and proven solutions from a team that genuinely understands your challenges.
