Somewhere right now, a cybercriminal is making their own New Year’s resolutions.
They’re not thinking about self-care or better habits.
They’re planning what worked last year — and how to do more of it in 2026.
And unfortunately, schools are now among their favorite targets.
Not because staff are careless.
But because schools are busy.
And being busy makes any organization easier to trick.
Here’s what attackers are planning this year — and the simple steps your school can take to stay protected.
Resolution #1: “Send More Realistic Phishing Emails”
Scam emails don’t look fake anymore.
AI helps attackers write messages that:
- Sound like real staff or vendors
- Refer to actual school tools and platforms
- Avoid obvious red flags
A modern phishing email might say:
“Hi [your name], the updated forms aren’t going through. Can you confirm this is still your correct email? Here’s the new file.”
It sounds normal — and that’s the point.
Your school’s counter-move:
- Train staff to verify requests, especially anything involving accounts, data, or money.
- Use email filtering tools that flag impersonation attempts.
- Build a culture where double-checking is encouraged, not questioned.
Resolution #2: “Impersonate Vendors… or Administrators”
Cybercriminals now impersonate:
- Software vendors
- Payroll companies
- The superintendent
- The principal
Sometimes it’s email.
Sometimes it’s text.
And increasingly… it’s deepfake voice messages.
They’ve already used this tactic against schools and districts nationwide.
Your school’s counter-move:
- Always confirm account or payment changes through a known phone number.
- Require verbal verification for financial requests.
- Enable MFA for all admin, finance, and SIS accounts.
Resolution #3: “Target Schools More Often”
Large organizations have become harder to attack.
Schools, however:
- Are understaffed
- Have limited cybersecurity resources
- Handle valuable student and staff data
- Often believe “we’re too small to be a target”
Attackers know this — and take advantage of it.
Your school’s counter-move:
- Put basic safeguards in place: MFA, updates, and tested backups.
- Retire the idea that schools aren’t targets — they are.
- Lean on a technology partner to fill gaps your staff doesn’t have time to manage.
Resolution #4: “Exploit New Staff and Tax Season Confusion”
New staff don’t know all your procedures yet.
They’re eager to help and less likely to question requests.
Attackers take advantage of that.
And during tax season, schools often see phishing attempts like:
“Please send employee W-2s. I need them for a meeting.”
One email can expose every employee’s identity.
Your school’s counter-move:
- Include basic security training during onboarding.
- Establish clear policies:
- “We never send W-2s over email.”
- “All financial requests require verification.”
- Celebrate staff who double-check requests.
Prevention Is Always Better Than Recovery
Schools have two paths:
Option A: React after an attack
Recover systems, notify families, handle downtime, repair trust, and spend tens of thousands of dollars.
Option B: Prevent the attack
Put simple protections in place and let experts monitor risks before they grow.
One path is stressful and expensive.
The other is calm and proactive.
How to Keep Your School Off Their Target List
A supportive IT partner helps your school by:
- Monitoring systems 24/7
- Strengthening passwords and access
- Training staff on modern scams
- Verifying financial procedures
- Testing backups regularly
- Closing vulnerabilities before they’re exploited
It’s quiet, steady protection — the kind that keeps teaching and learning uninterrupted.
Book a New Year Security Check
A quick 15-minute conversation can show:
- Where your school is strong
- Where small gaps may exist
- What changes will make the biggest difference in 2026
No scare tactics.
No jargon.
Just clarity.
Book your 15-minute New Year School Security Check
Because the best New Year’s resolution is making sure your school isn’t on someone else’s list.
