5 Ways Canadian Schools Can Protect Student Data from Cyberattacks

As per the CDW 2025 Canadian Cybersecurity Study, the downtime per incident for the education industry has grown by 11 percent for data breaches and 27 percent for cloud incidents.

A few factors why schools and educational institutions often face difficulties with their cyberdefences are listed below.

Limited cybersecurity resources

Many educational organizations operate with tight budgets, leaving little room to invest in advanced cybersecurity measures, tools or highly trained IT professionals. Legacy systems and software, which are common in schools, can make them vulnerable to attacks.

Large attack surface

Educational organizations often have large, decentralized networks with numerous devices, from administrative computers to classroom laptops, tablets and smartboards. Each device is a potential entry point for cybercriminals.

Remote learning has expanded this attack surface further, with students and teachers using personal devices on potentially insecure networks.

Lack of cybersecurity awareness

Students, teachers and staff may not be adequately trained in recognizing phishing scams, malware or other cyberthreats. Human error, such as clicking on malicious links or weak password practices, is a common vulnerability.

Increased use of digital technology

The adoption of digital tools, online testing platforms and learning management systems creates more opportunities for exploitation, especially if security is not prioritized in implementation.

The following cybersecurity tactics can help schools strengthen their cyberdefences and be better prepared for cyberincidents.

A data security risk audit is a crucial first step for educational institutions to ensure the protection of student and staff data.

This audit helps identify any security vulnerabilities in the school’s systems and policies, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations such as the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

Schools must assess what data they are collecting, be it student records, grades or health information, and the purpose for which it is being gathered. The audit should also examine where the data is stored (onsite servers, cloud platforms, etc.) and whether it is being shared, who has access to it and for how long it is retained.

“It’s essential to make sure that schools are evaluating their current storage systems, whether they meet all the current requirements like encryption and access control,” said Doug Fiebig, National Education Strategist, CDW Canada.

By identifying weaknesses like outdated software or unsecured servers, the audit enables schools to close security gaps and implement stronger protection measures.

It is crucial for schools to regularly evaluate their data storage systems to ensure they meet security standards and compliance requirements.

This involves assessing whether current storage systems encrypt sensitive data, provide adequate access control and can scale to meet future needs.

“Ensuring data security is understanding all about your data. What are you collecting? Where is it stored? Who has access? Why do they have access?” asked Fiebig.

Moving to secure cloud-based storage solutions offers numerous benefits, including automatic backups, enhanced scalability and built-in security features. Schools should also develop or update their data governance policies, establishing clear rules for data access, sharing, retention and deletion.

By modernizing their storage systems, educational organizations can bolster data security and reduce the risk of data breaches.

One of the most effective ways to prevent cyberattacks is through security education. Schools must provide regular cybersecurity training for staff and students, ensuring they recognize phishing attempts, malware and other common threats.

Digital literacy should be integrated into the curriculum to teach students safe online practices and how to protect their personal data. Additionally, schools should conduct simulated phishing attacks to test the awareness of staff and students.

Addressing the students, Fiebig said, “Their digital literacy is critical. Schools should make sure students are aware about protecting their personal information, creating strong passwords and recognizing scams. Teaching them safe online behaviour is very important.”

By educating stakeholders on potential threats and proper security protocols, schools can significantly reduce the risk of successful cyberattacks.

To safeguard against cyberthreats, schools must implement a robust cybersecurity framework, which includes the following measures.

• Multifactor authentication (MFA) should be enforced for all systems, providing an extra layer of security beyond passwords.
• Regular software updates and patches are essential to ensure that systems remain secure and free from known vulnerabilities.
• Deploying advanced endpoint detection and response tools can help monitor and protect devices connected to the network.
• Schools should segment their networks to prevent lateral movement by cybercriminals in the event of a breach.
• Data encryption, both in transit and at rest, is also critical in protecting sensitive student data from unauthorized access.

With these measures in place, schools can create a more secure environment for students and staff.

“It's not about if a breach would happen. It's about when it's going to happen and lately, it has been happening a lot in the industry, unfortunately. So, being prepared is crucial,” Fiebig remarked.

No system is completely immune to cyberattacks, so it is vital for schools to have a well-defined cybersecurity incident response plan (CIRP).

This plan should outline the procedures for responding to a data breach or cyberattack, ensuring that all stakeholders understand their roles in mitigating the impact. Schools must regularly update their CIRP to reflect new threats and technologies.

Conducting regular cybersecurity tabletop exercises can help test the response plan and identify any gaps or areas for improvement. By having a robust, up-to-date incident response plan, schools can respond quickly and effectively to minimize the damage caused by a cyberattack.

CDW Canada assists educational institutions and schools in bolstering their cyberdefences by transforming traditional learning environments into secure, technology-rich spaces.

Our risk advisory and professional cybersecurity services are designed to meet the unique challenges faced by Canadian educators. From providing expert guidance on securing campus networks to making the right technology decisions, our security leaders assist schools throughout their security journey.

CDW’s implementation services include rapid deployment, custom design, integration and greenfield installations. To ensure ongoing effectiveness, CDW conducts security capability reviews, including health checks, best practice assessments, remediation, tuning and optimization of existing cybersecurity controls.

Furthermore, we provide training and education through authorized training centres and security workshops, enabling school staff to develop in-house expertise and stay current with the latest cybersecurity technologies.