With the first few busy days of the new school year behind us and routines beginning to take shape, now is a good moment for school leaders and ICT teams to pause and take stock.

Many schools carried out system upgrades or rolled out new devices over the summer break. As networks, devices and users come back online, this early part of the autumn term is the perfect time to check those changes haven’t left any gaps in your cybersecurity defences.

Here are four key areas every school should assess this term – and how Everything ICT’s Department for Education (DfE)-approved framework can help you strengthen your cybersecurity.

1. Patch management – are updates running smoothly?

Summer upgrades often bring a raft of new software and devices into schools. But in the rush to get everything operational for September, it’s easy for routine patching to be delayed.

Unpatched systems remain one of the most common weaknesses exploited in cyberattacks. Early this term, it’s worth checking:

• Are all devices and systems running the latest updates?
• Is there a clear schedule in place for applying future patches?
• Are firmware updates for network equipment included?

Our framework connects you with suppliers who can take on patch management as part of wider ICT support, freeing up in-house teams and ensuring nothing is missed.

2. Access control – do permissions reflect your current users?

The start of term often brings staff changes and a new intake of students. It’s a prime opportunity to review user accounts and permissions to make sure they’re up to date.

This should include:

• Disabling or removing accounts for staff and pupils who have left.
• Auditing permissions so only the right people have access to sensitive systems.
• Introducing multi-factor authentication (MFA) where possible.

Our pre-approved suppliers can advise on access management solutions designed for school environments, helping you maintain tight control over who has access to what.

3. Staff training – preparing your first line of defence

Even with robust systems in place, human error remains one of the biggest cybersecurity risks. Phishing emails and social engineering attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated – and it only takes one click to cause disruption.

Early in the term is a good time to refresh staff awareness with:

• Brief, engaging training sessions or e-learning modules.
• Clear guidance on recognising phishing attempts and good password hygiene.

Everything ICT connects you with partners who offer education-focused training as part of their ICT support packages, helping staff feel confident and vigilant without increasing their workload.

4. Backup systems – could you recover quickly if needed?

A tested, reliable backup strategy is your safety net in the event of ransomware or accidental data loss.

This term, review your arrangements:

• Are backups running as scheduled and stored securely off-site or in the cloud?
• When was the last time a restoration test was performed?
• Are critical systems included in the backup scope?

We make it easy to procure GDPR-compliant backup solutions from vetted suppliers, giving you peace of mind that your school’s data is protected.

Supporting your school’s cybersecurity journey

Through our DfE-approved framework, schools can access:

✅ Pre-vetted suppliers with proven expertise in education ICT.

✅ Value for money via competitive pricing and aggregated purchasing.

✅ Peace of mind knowing all contracts meet DfE standards and procurement regulations.

Whether you’re reviewing current provision or planning future improvements, Everything ICT offers a trusted, compliant route to the tools and support you need.

Ready to take the next step?

A quick review now could prevent bigger issues later in the year. Contact us today to find out how we can help keep your school secure this term – and beyond.