In late 2024, a 19-year-old Massachusetts student, Matthew Lane, orchestrated a massive cyberattack on PowerSchool, a widely used educational software platform. By exploiting stolen login credentials from a contractor, Lane accessed PowerSchool's systems, exfiltrated sensitive data—including names, Social Security numbers, and medical records—of over 60 million students and 10 million teachers, and transferred it to a server in Ukraine. He then demanded a $2.85 million ransom in cryptocurrency, threatening to release the data publicly if his demands were not met. Despite PowerSchool's decision to pay the ransom, further threats emerged, indicating the data had not been destroyed as promised. 

This breach underscores the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures in educational institutions. Data breaches in schools can have severe and long-lasting consequences, including identity theft, financial fraud, and emotional distress for affected students and staff. Schools may also face significant financial losses due to remediation costs, legal fees, and reputational damage. 

To mitigate these risks, educational institutions should implement comprehensive cybersecurity protocols, including regular phishing simulations, employee training, and incident response plans. Engaging with managed service providers specializing in cybersecurity can also help schools strengthen their defenses against such threats.

In an era where a single cyberattack can jeopardize the privacy and safety of millions, proactive engagement with cybersecurity experts is not just advisable—it's essential. This is why hundreds of companies from the Fortune 200, down to startups, trust the cybersecurity and IT experts at Apex Technology Services - the MSP that helps keep them secure and working.