If you’re responsible for technology in a school, there’s a growing problem that’s hard to ignore: cyberattacks are hitting schools more often and causing more damage.
In recent years, K–12 schools and districts across the country have become regular targets for hackers. And these attacks aren’t just an inconvenience—they’ve led to canceled classes, leaked personal information, and long recovery periods.
One of the latest examples happened in Massachusetts in late 2024 and shows how serious things can get when institutions aren’t prepared with school IT services.
What Happened at Greater Lawrence Technical School?
On November 11, 2024, Greater Lawrence Technical School was the victim of a ransomware attack by the hacker group Abyss. The attackers infiltrated the school’s system, locked users out, and demanded payment to restore access.
The impact was widespread, shutting down the entire network. Students and teachers were unable to log in, and the disruption extended beyond computers. The school’s phone system, PA system, and bell schedule were all taken offline, leaving even emergency communication lines inoperable.
Classes were canceled for an entire week as the school scrambled to resolve the issue. It wasn’t until November 18 that students were able to return.
To make matters worse, reports indicate that the hackers may have accessed sensitive data during the breach, including health insurance information and Social Security Numbers.
These Attacks Are Becoming More Common
Unfortunately, Greater Lawrence wasn’t alone.
In 2024, there were at least 57 confirmed cyberattacks on U.S. schools. Combined, they exposed the personal information of more than 300,000 students and staff. And the average cost to recover from a ransomware attack is astronomical: $3.76 million for lower education and over $4 million for higher education.
These aren’t just big city problems, either. Schools of all sizes and in all parts of the country are being targeted.
Why Are Schools Being Targeted?
Hackers go after schools for a few simple reasons:
- They know schools have limited budgets. That often means older systems, fewer updates, and less built-in protection.
- They know most schools don’t have cybersecurity experts on staff. One or two IT team members might be responsible for every tech issue across the district—from fixing Chromebooks to maintaining servers. Security isn’t always the top priority.
- They know the data schools keep is valuable. Student records often include names, birthdates, addresses, medical info, and even Social Security numbers. That’s enough to commit identity theft or sell on the dark web.
- And they know schools can’t afford to stay closed. When systems go down, it’s not just annoying—it can stop learning altogether. That puts pressure on administrators to pay ransoms quickly to get things back up and running.
What Can Schools Do To Protect Themselves?
While no system is completely safe, there are steps every institution can take with their school IT services to reduce the risk of an attack—and to recover faster if one does happen.
- Get a clear picture of your current setup.
A simple security assessment of your school IT services can show where you’re vulnerable. It’s better to find those gaps now than after someone else does. - Use tools that help you catch threats early.
Basic antivirus software isn’t enough anymore. Schools should use systems that watch for suspicious behavior and help stop attacks before they spread. - Keep software and systems updated.
Many attacks succeed because of known flaws that haven’t been fixed. Regular updates and patches are an easy way to close those doors. - Back up your data and separate your networks.
Regular backups (stored safely offsite) mean you can recover without paying a ransom. And dividing up your network helps limit how far an attacker can go if they do get in.
How Working with an IT Partner Helps
Most schools don’t have the time or staff to do all of this alone—and that’s okay. The right school IT services can help take care of the things that often get pushed to the bottom of the list.
At ANC Group, we support schools with:
- Monitoring and support around the clock
You don’t have to stay on top of every threat—we’ll do that for you. - Help with state and federal rules
We understand the requirements schools face and can help keep you in line with them. - Services that grow with your school
Whether you’re running a single building or multiple campuses, we’ll help you scale without stress. - Access to experienced professionals
If you don’t have a cybersecurity lead, we can fill that role and guide your strategy.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Cyberattacks are no longer a distant possibility—they’re happening now, to schools just like yours. Greater Lawrence Technical School’s experience is a reminder of how quickly things can spiral when systems go down.
If you’re not sure whether your school IT services are ready, we’re here to help.
Contact ANC Group to talk with a school IT specialist and take the first step toward better technology protection.
