Cyber Security

Schools have witnessed a dramatic increase in cyber attacks, with the education sector becoming the third most targeted by cyber criminals. Protecting sensitive data and ensuring uninterrupted learning have become critical priorities for school operations.

Our comprehensive cyber security services are designed to help your school or MAT remain secure, compliant and resilient. Aligned with the Department for Education standards and Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) guidelines, our solutions will help you identify vulnerabilities, educate staff and strengthen your network to minimise the risk of damaging and costly breaches.

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Why It Matters

Schools Are a Prime Target – and Many Don’t Realise Their Exposure

Cyber attacks on schools have increased significantly in recent years. Ransomware, phishing, and data breaches are no longer isolated incidents—they are a persistent and growing threat.

Schools hold highly sensitive personal data relating to pupils and staff, yet often operate with less mature cyber security frameworks than other sectors. This makes them an attractive and, in many cases, vulnerable target.

The Department for Education has recognised this risk through the introduction of cyber security within its Digital Technology Standards. Schools are expected to implement:

A defined cyber security strategy and awareness plan
Regular (at least annual) staff training
A documented incident response plan
Robust backup and disaster recovery arrangements

Critically, these are school-level responsibilities. Accountability sits with leadership teams—not with third-party IT providers.

However, the most common response we hear from schools is: “Our IT provider manages that.”

In practice, this often results in limited visibility and oversight. Schools may assume controls are in place, but lack the assurance, documentation, and strategic alignment required to meet DfE expectations.

This creates a significant risk: not just of cyber attack, but of non-compliance, operational disruption, and reputational damage.

Our Approach

Specialist Cyber Security Expertise for the Education Sector

We provide a range of Cyber Security services to schools and MATs in partnership with specialist cyber security providers who work exclusively within the education sector.

We collaborate with partners who have a deep understanding of the challenges schools and trusts face, ranging from constrained budgets and limited internal resources, through to the complexity of safeguarding sensitive data and meeting Department for Education (DfE) standards.

This sector-specific expertise is critical. Effective cyber security in education is not just about technology; it’s about aligning systems, processes, and people with the unique operational and compliance requirements of schools.

Our Services

Cyber Security Services for Schools and Multi-Academy Trusts

We provide access to a range of specialist cyber security services designed specifically for the education sector. These services can be delivered as individual projects or combined into a structured programme, depending on your current position and requirements.

Our approach is flexible—whether you need to address a specific risk, meet DfE standards, or implement a wider cyber security strategy, services can be tailored accordingly.

These include:

Cyber Security Audit

A comprehensive review of your school’s current cyber security posture. This goes beyond our standard technology audit - engaging directly with your IT support, assessing password policies, reviewing firewall configurations, and identifying vulnerabilities across your network. You’ll gain a clear, independent view of your current level of risk, along with practical recommendations on how to address any gaps.

Staff Training

Annual cyber awareness training for school staff. This covers the most common threats - phishing, social engineering, unsafe data handling - and is designed to be practical and accessible, not technical. Given that most successful cyberattacks start with human error rather than a technical failure, this is often the single most effective thing a school can do.

Phishing Simulations

Targeted phishing simulations are used to assess how staff respond to real-world cyber threats. These exercises replicate common attack methods and provide clear insight into user behaviour across the organisation. The results enable schools to identify individuals who may be more vulnerable, allowing for focused training and support where it is needed most.

Policy and Documentation

Development and review of essential cyber security policies and documentation, including incident response plans, acceptable use policies, and data handling procedures. This ensures staff understand their responsibilities and provides the documented evidence schools need to demonstrate compliance with DfE standards and wider regulatory requirements.

Penetration Testing

Controlled testing of your school’s systems and network to identify exploitable vulnerabilities. This simulates real-world attack scenarios to assess how effectively your existing security measures perform. Typically suited to schools with established cyber security foundations, this provides a deeper understanding of residual risks and where further remediation is required.

Cyber Essentials Support

Support in achieving Cyber Essentials accreditation—a government-backed certification demonstrating that your school has implemented the fundamental controls required to protect against common cyber threats. This includes guided support through the process, ensuring requirements are clearly understood and effectively met.

What Schools Say

Trusted by Schools Across the UK

The initial tender process with TGE solutions was informative and simple to follow. The telephone installation went without a hitch. Overall we received an excellent service from start to finish.

TGE Solutions assisted us with sourcing a new telephone call and line rental provider and managed the transition between the old and new suppliers ensuring the process was seamless and painless.

TGE Solutions are always very friendly and professional; all the way through the process of writing a detailed tender on our behalf, to overseeing the installation of a full and modern new phone system. We are really glad we decided to work with Phil and the team, we never had any problems at all and everything was explained and documented clearly. We used to get frustrated with our old phones and phone lines but now everything has been upgraded, updated and our costs have been reduced. Thanks TGE Solutions!

Not Sure Where to Begin?

If your school has not yet taken a structured approach to cyber security, the most effective starting point is typically a cyber security audit. This establishes a clear baseline—giving you an independent view of your current position and making it easier to prioritise next steps.

Where there are more immediate concerns—such as staff awareness, recent phishing incidents, or known vulnerabilities—targeted services like phishing simulations or staff training may be a more appropriate first step.

We’re happy to have an initial discussion to understand your current position and advise on the most practical way forward.

For Multi-Academy Trusts

A Note for Multi-Academy Trusts

For Multi-Academy Trusts, cyber security must be managed at a trust-wide level, not just on a school-by-school basis. A single vulnerable school can introduce risk across the entire organisation, particularly where systems, networks, and data are shared.

We work with trusts to take a structured, centralised approach. This can include implementing a consistent cyber security programme across all schools, or starting with a trust-wide audit to establish the current position of each school before defining priorities.

This ensures greater visibility, improved risk management, and a more strategic approach to meeting DfE requirements across the trust.

Common Questions

Questions About Cyber Security in Schools

Our IT provider says they handle our cyber security. Is that enough?

In most cases, not on its own. IT providers typically manage the technical controls—such as firewalls, patching, and backups—but cyber security extends beyond infrastructure. The Department for Education expects schools to take an active role in governance. This includes having appropriate policies in place, ensuring staff receive regular training, and maintaining a clear understanding of your overall cyber risk. These responsibilities cannot be fully delegated. Schools are expected to have visibility of their cyber security position and be able to demonstrate how risks are being managed.

Do we have to take all the services, or can we start with just one?

You can start with whatever makes most sense for your school right now. Some schools begin with a cyber audit to get a clear picture of where they stand. Others start with staff training because it’s a known gap. The services work independently and can be built on over time.

What is Cyber Essentials and do we need it?

Cyber Essentials is a government-backed certification that demonstrates a school has implemented the fundamental controls required to protect against common cyber threats. It covers five key areas: firewalls, secure configuration, access control, malware protection, and patch management.

It is not currently mandatory for schools, but it is widely recognised as a baseline standard for cyber security. In some cases, it may be required when working with external partners or handling certain types of data.

Achieving certification can also provide reassurance to governors, parents, and stakeholders that cyber security is being taken seriously.

We've never had a cyber incident. Does that mean we're safe?

Not necessarily. Many organisations that experience cyber incidents are unaware at the time, only discovering issues once disruption has occurred or data has been compromised.

The absence of a known incident does not equate to adequate protection. Without clear visibility of your cyber security position, it is difficult to assess risk with confidence.

A cyber security audit provides an independent view of where your school stands, highlighting any vulnerabilities and areas requiring attention.

How much do these services cost?

Pricing varies depending on the service required and the size and complexity of your school or trust.

Get in touch to discuss your requirements, and we’ll provide clear, tailored pricing based on the most appropriate service for your school or trust.

Is this relevant for primary schools, or mainly secondaries?

It’s relevant for all schools. Primary schools hold just as much sensitive personal data as secondaries, and they’re often less well-resourced in terms of cybersecurity. Staff training, in particular, is something every school can benefit from, regardless of size.