By Ashwani Mishra, Editor-Technology, 63SATS Cybertech
When a school’s morning bell rings, it marks the start of a day filled with learning, laughter, and the steady rhythm of academic life. But in an increasingly connected world, that familiar routine is now disrupted— not from physical threats, but from silent digital intrusions.
Across the globe, schools are becoming the new frontline in the battle against cybercrime.
In April 2025, West Lothian, a peaceful district in Scotland, woke up to chaos. A suspected ransomware attack had crippled its education network, affecting access across 13 secondary schools, 69 primary schools, and 61 nurseries. Local authorities scrambled to activate contingency plans to keep schools open. The council, aided by Police Scotland and the Scottish government, confirmed a criminal investigation was underway. Just days earlier, Framlingham College, a prestigious school in Suffolk, had also fallen victim to a cyber incident — forcing administrators to isolate systems and investigate the breach while maintaining normal operations.
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre defines ransomware as malware that encrypts victims’ files, holding them hostage until a ransom is paid. While businesses and hospitals have long been targets, the education sector’s vulnerability is now on full display.
An American Vulnerability
Thousands of miles away, in the Alvin Independent School District (AISD) in Texas, the scale of the problem was more devastating. In a breach linked to the ransomware gang “Fog,” over 47,000 individuals had their personal information compromised in June 2024 — from Social Security numbers to financial and medical data. The attackers stole a staggering 60 GB of information and used the school’s name on a public data leak site to demand payment.
The breach was reported to the Texas Attorney General in May 2025, nearly a year after the intrusion — underscoring the long, silent tail of cyberattacks. The delay in notification also exposed gaps in how schools respond and communicate during crises, leaving students, parents, and staff in limbo.
And it’s not just school districts. In February 2025, edtech provider PowerSchool — widely used across the U.S. and U.K. — revealed that a cyberattack on its support portal compromised records of over 16,000 students. At least four U.K. schools were confirmed victims, and security analysts fear the actual scale may be far greater, with millions potentially exposed globally.
“Education platforms are sitting ducks for threat actors,” warns Neehar Pathare, MD, CEO and CIO at cybersecurity firm 63SATS Cybertech. “They hold troves of personal data, yet lack enterprise-grade security infrastructure.”
Australia’s Higher Ed Hit
The pattern is not confined to K-12 systems. In Western Sydney, Australia, the breach hit higher education hard. Western Sydney University reported two cyber incidents in early 2025, including a breach of its Single Sign-On (SSO) system. Around 10,000 students and staff had their data accessed. The institution, with over 47,000 enrolled students, was forced to reassess its security framework.
The incidents highlight the unique challenge universities face: complex networks, open-access requirements, and a high volume of users — all of which create fertile ground for attackers.
India’s National Tensions Spill into Classrooms
In India, the line between geopolitical conflict and digital intrusion has blurred. Following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, suspected Pakistan-based hackers launched cyber offensives on educational and defense-related websites. Army Public Schools in Srinagar and Ranikhet, along with the Army Welfare Housing Organisation and the Indian Air Force Placement portal, were targeted.
Operating under the alias “IOK Hacker,” the group attempted to deface the sites — a symbolic act aimed at undermining morale and sowing confusion. Indian cybersecurity agencies intervened in time to prevent significant damage, but the frequency of such attacks has steadily increased.
“Educational institutions have become soft diplomatic targets,” said an Indian senior government cyber official on conditions of anonymity. “These attacks are no longer just criminal—they’re political statements.”
A Global Problem with Local Consequences
The rise in school cyberattacks is not random. It reflects a broader shift in the cyber threat landscape. Schools are repositories of rich, poorly defended data. Unlike corporate targets, educational institutions often lack the funds, training, and dedicated cybersecurity staff to defend against sophisticated threats. This makes them attractive to ransomware gangs looking for quick payouts and low resistance.
Moreover, the pandemic-driven digitization of classrooms — from online exams to digital records — has expanded the attack surface. Tools like virtual learning platforms, student portals, and remote access services have become entry points for hackers.
Learning from the Crisis
Some governments are starting to act. The U.K. recently expanded cybersecurity guidance for schools, while the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has encouraged districts to adopt zero-trust architectures. India and Australia are also investing in CERT teams focused on the education sector.
But experts agree: prevention requires more than policy. It demands cultural change — treating cybersecurity like fire drills, embedding it in the curriculum, and training educators and IT staff alike.
Protecting the Future’s Future
Schools are where futures are built. If that foundation is compromised — if students can’t trust their data is safe, or if teachers lose confidence in their systems — the ripple effects go beyond education.
They cut into national security, economic stability, and societal trust.
