Wrap up cyber safety before you wrap up for Christmas
The Christmas holidays are a time for joy and rest - but for cybercriminals, it’s business as usual. With schools closed and systems unattended, the festive season can be a prime opportunity for attacks.
Here’s how to keep your school’s data safe so you can enjoy the mince pies and carols!
1. Check your naughty and nice list (Access Permissions)
Before the break, review who has access to your systems. Remove accounts for temporary staff and make sure only essential personnel have remote access.
2. Give your systems the gift of updates
Outdated software is like leaving your front door open. Patch and update all systems before you switch off the lights.
3. Back up and secure your data like it's Santa’s sack of goodies!
Secure backups are your safety net. Store them offline or in a secure cloud, and test them to ensure they’re ready if needed.
4. Add an extra layer of wrapping (MFA)
Multi-Factor Authentication is the best present you can give your school’s security. It makes it much harder for attackers to sneak in.
5. Send a festive reminder to staff
Seasonal phishing scams are everywhere. Remind staff to check twice before clicking links, just like Santa checks his list!
6. Keep an eye on the chimney (Monitoring)
Set up alerts for unusual activity or consider a managed service provider to watch over your systems while you’re away.
7. Lock up the workshop
Secure server rooms and store devices safely. Unplug non-essential equipment to reduce risk.
A little preparation now means you can enjoy the holidays without worrying about cyber grinches stealing your data. Stay safe, be merry, and have a wonderful Christmas!