If a cyber incident landed on your desk tomorrow morning, would you be confident you could keep the school running by lunchtime?
For many schools, the honest answer is “not entirely”. Not because teams aren’t trying, but because cyber risk has grown faster than time, budgets and headcount. As we move into 2026, the question isn’t whether schools should invest in cybersecurity — it’s where to focus first, and how to do it without creating more complexity.
Below are the cybersecurity essentials schools should be prioritising this year, based on Department for Education (DfE) guidance and the issues we see most often across the sector.
Start with access: most breaches don’t look dramatic
When schools think about cyber-attacks, ransomware usually comes to mind. In reality, many incidents begin quietly — a reused password, a convincing email, an account that didn’t get switched off when a member of staff left.
Once an attacker has access, everything else becomes easier.
That’s why access controls should still be high on the agenda in 2026:
- Multi-factor authentication for staff accounts
- Clear rules around shared or admin access
- Regular reviews of who can access what
These steps aren’t flashy, but they’re effective — and they’re explicitly recommended in DfE cyber guidance (Meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges – Cyber security standards for schools and colleges – Guidance – GOV.UK).
From a procurement perspective, this is also where schools often hit friction. Identity and access tools vary widely in cost and complexity. Through ourDfE-approved framework, schools can compare approved suppliers who understand education environments, without needing to run a full tender just to strengthen login security.
Downtime is the real risk — not just data loss
Ask schools that have experienced a cyber incident what hurt most, and the answer is rarely “the data”. It’s the disruption: registers offline, emails down, safeguarding information suddenly inaccessible.
Resilience, not just prevention, is what matters.
That means being confident that:
- Backups are protected from ransomware
- Data can be restored quickly
- Leadership knows what decisions to take in the first few hours of an incident
Too often, backups exist but haven’t been tested, or responsibility for incident response sits vaguely “with IT”.
Schools can use Everything ICT to source backup and disaster recovery services that meet DfE expectations and are sized realistically for school networks — whether that’s on-prem, cloud-based or hybrid. The aim is being able to recover without panic.
Cloud platforms still need active management
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are now the backbone of most schools. They’re secure by design — but not automatically secure in use.
Common issues we continue to see include:
- Overly generous sharing permissions
- Old accounts retaining access
- Limited visibility of where sensitive data lives
These aren’t failures of technology; they’re symptoms of stretched teams and unclear ownership.
A regular review of cloud configurations and access rights is one of the simplest ways to reduce risk in 2026. Many schools choose to bring in short, targeted support via pre-approved suppliers on our framework — not to overhaul systems, but to sense-check settings and close obvious gaps.
Devices are multiplying, and visibility is slipping
Between staff laptops, classroom devices and remote access, many schools now manage more endpoints than ever — often with less time to keep them updated.
Unpatched devices remain one of the easiest ways to hack into a network.
Rather than trying to manage everything manually, schools are increasingly:
- Centralising patch and update management
- Using endpoint protection that flags issues early
- Reassessing whether current IT support models still fit
Our framework supports schools in reviewing managed IT and endpoint security options in a structured, compliant way — helping Senior Leadership Teams (SLTs) understand where risk and workload are building, and what’s realistic to improve.
Cybersecurity can’t live only with IT
Cybersecurity is often seen as “an IT issue”, but most incidents start with human behaviour. Without buy-in from SLT and staff, technical controls alone won’t be enough.
When decisions need to be made quickly — shutting systems down, contacting stakeholders, reporting incidents — SLT involvement is essential.
Strong schools are:
- Assigning clear cyber ownership at leadership level
- Linking cyber risk to the school risk register
- Keeping policies short, relevant and understood
Training and awareness don’t need to be heavy-handed. They need to be consistent. With Everything ICT, schools can access staff training and advisory support that reflects how schools actually work, rather than generic corporate programmes.
A quieter, more sustainable approach to cyber in 2026
The schools making the most progress on cybersecurity aren’t chasing every new tool. They’re tightening the basics, reviewing them regularly, and using trusted suppliers who understand the sector.
That’s where procurement often makes the difference.
As a DfE-approved framework, Everything ICT helps schools:
- Access compliant, education-focused cyber solutions
- Reduce procurement time and risk
- Plan improvements over time, not in reaction to incidents
Cybersecurity doesn’t need to be overwhelming. With the right priorities and the right support, it becomes another manageable part of running a resilient school.
If you’re reviewing your cyber position for 2026, we’re here to support you — from early conversations through to compliant procurement and long-term planning.
Review your school’s cyber priorities for 2026 with Everything ICT
