Creating a Cybersecurity Culture in Education

Fostering a strong cybersecurity culture in education is crucial for protecting against growing cyber threats. While advanced cybersecurity technology plays a key role, human behavior remains the most vulnerable point in an institution’s security.

Studies show that human mistakes—such as falling for phishing scams or using weak passwords—contribute to most data breaches. According to Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), about 74% of data breaches involve some form of human error.

Technology Alone Isn’t Enough

Deploying cybersecurity tools and secure technology solutions is essential for protecting educational records, private data, and information systems. However, technology alone cannot prevent cyber threats. Training teachers, administrators, and staff to recognize risks and take proactive measures is key to building a resilient cybersecurity strategy.

Educational institutions need a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity—one that includes proactive threat prevention, staff training, and a commitment to ongoing security awareness. There is no quick fix or single solution that offers complete protection.

Promoting a Culture of Shared Responsibility

Educators and staff serve as the first line of defense in educational cybersecurity. They should be equipped to:

• Recognize phishing attacks and malware threats
• Report suspicious activity promptly
• Follow best practices for secure data handling and password management

A positive, proactive cybersecurity approach empowers faculty and staff to take ownership of security, creating a collaborative defense strategy.

Key Steps to Building a Cybersecurity Culture

• Provide Regular Training – Educate teachers, administrators, and staff on cyber threats, including phishing emails, malware, and social engineering attacks.
• Encourage Best Practices – Promote strong password policies and consider offering password managers to staff.
• Simulate Threats – Conduct phishing tests and mock cybersecurity scenarios to help staff recognize and respond to threats.
• Establish Clear Policies – Develop well-defined technology use policies and cyber incident reporting procedures.
• Simplify Reporting – Offer user-friendly, non-punitive methods for staff to report security concerns.
• Lead by Example – Ensure school leadership actively demonstrates cybersecurity best practices and emphasizes the importance of cyber awareness.

Maximum Impact Action Plan

Educational institutions can take immediate action to strengthen security while fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness. Work with your Information Security team or a trusted cybersecurity partner to address these four essential areas:

1. Data Security

• Assess current data storage practices and limit access to sensitive information.
• Encrypt student records and other sensitive data on school servers and devices.
• Implement automated backups in secure, segregated locations.

2. Email Security

• Provide phishing awareness training and periodic security quizzes.
• Enable SPF, DKIM, and DMARC settings in your email security policies.
• Deploy email filtering and monitoring tools to block malicious emails.

3. Network Security

• Audit and update firewall settings to block unauthorized access.
• Use intrusion detection tools to monitor for suspicious network activity.
• Segment the school network to create controlled access zones for students, teachers, and administrators.

4. Incident Response

• Develop a cyber incident response plan and test it with simulated attacks.
• Assign clear roles and responsibilities for incident management.
• Conduct regular tabletop exercises to refine response strategies.

From Awareness to Action

A cybersecurity-aware school environment empowers educators, staff, and students to act as an institution’s first line of defense. When everyone understands the risks and how their actions impact security, the entire system becomes more resilient against cyber threats.

By embedding cybersecurity best practices into everyday school operations, educational institutions can create a safer digital learning environment where students and staff can focus on teaching and learning without disruption.

Need help creating a cybersecurity culture in education? Get our Cybersecurity Field Guide for Education to learn how to safeguard your institution.