Student Data Is at Risk Why Schools Must Act Now to Strengthen Cybersecurity

A major privacy incident involving PowerSchool has once again highlighted how vulnerable student data can be and why cybersecurity in the education sector can no longer be treated as an afterthought. The recent investigation by Alberta’s privacy commissioner revealed that last year’s breach exposed an alarming amount of sensitive personal information belonging to students, educators, and parents across dozens of school boards. Names, birthdates, social security numbers, academic records, and even medical details were compromised, affecting more than 700,000 students in Alberta alone.

The breach did not stem from an advanced cyberattack but from a series of preventable security weaknesses. According to the report, a single set of stolen contractor credentials provided access to both PowerSchool’s support portal and its student information system an oversight that allowed a threat actor to move freely between systems that should have been segregated. Even more concerning was the absence of multi-factor authentication and the excessive remote access privileges granted to contractors, which significantly broadened the attack surface. As the commissioner noted, this was not a case of strong defenses being bypassed it was a breach made possible by inadequate safeguards.

Beyond the platform’s shortcomings, many school boards were found to have insufficient privacy and security policies in place. Some lacked proper provisions in their contracts with PowerSchool, while others failed to regularly monitor whether the vendor was complying with required protections. In an era where education technology is woven into daily operations, schools face increasing pressure to manage more systems, process more data, and integrate more digital tools even though many lack the in-house expertise to evaluate security risks effectively. This imbalance leaves them dependent on vendors whose controls may not always meet the necessary standards.

The report’s recommendations are clear: implement multi-factor authentication, enforce strong password policies, improve data lifecycle management, restrict remote access, and strengthen procurement processes to ensure vendors remain accountable. But the broader message is even more critical schools must develop a more resilient cybersecurity culture. This includes establishing clearer reporting requirements, improving contract language, and ensuring there is ongoing oversight rather than one-time compliance checks.

This incident is a reminder that cybersecurity in classrooms extends far beyond protecting devices it is about safeguarding the identities and futures of students. As education technology expands, the risks will only grow, and school boards will need support to navigate increasingly complex digital ecosystems.

This is where specialized partners can help. Directpath Global Technologies (DGT) offers solutions such as MTD, XDR, VAPT, SOC 2 readiness, VRMaaS, WAF, and vCISO support, along with an Artificial Intelligence Division that helps organizations strengthen and modernize their security posture. With the right guidance, schools can better protect student data, reduce exposure to breaches, and build long-term resilience as technology continues to evolve.

The PowerSchool breach should not simply be seen as a cautionary tale it should be a call to action. Student information is too valuable, and the consequences of weak security are too great, for the education sector to wait for the next wake-up call.

Source: CBC News