Schools are in an unusual position when it comes to IT security. They hold some of the most sensitive information, such as pupil records, safeguarding files, medical information, and financial data. Yet they do have shared common devices used by hundreds of students every day, have networks that they cannot bring down mid-lesson to apply patches, and often lack a …
Running a business or charity without specialised IT support is a gradual risk that may not seem urgent until something goes wrong. A failed backup, an old system, or a team silently working around an issue that they aren’t reporting can each create serious consequences. For small organisations, especially, technology failure is not just an inconvenience; it directly impacts operations, …
March 2026 Bridging the Gap: Why Technical IT Support is Only Half the Story For years, “IT Support” in schools usually meant one thing: making sure the Wi-Fi works and the laptops turn on. While that foundation is as vital now as it always was, we believed there was a missing piece to the puzzle. Having the best hardware in …
Budgetary limitations are among the most difficult decisions at schools, particularly in IT departments. Each pound counts, but there is no room to compromise on IT performance when the entire school’s operations, students and staff depend on working systems every day. With today’s advancements, schools can smartly cut their IT budgets while still maintaining high service levels. This isn’t about …
Multi-academy trusts are required to have effective digital infrastructure across multiple sites, even under tighter budgetary constraints. The stability of networks, the security of data, and the reliability of the systems all need to be consistently monitored. Still, most trusts lack the in-house expertise to do so effectively. Each academy has different systems that cause inconsistencies, hinder collaboration, and make …
Small businesses and charities are becoming targets of cybercriminals, who see them as easy targets with limited security measures. Indeed, recent breaches have shown that hackers do not target based on size, but they attack whoever looks weak. If you are running a business or a charity, the growing digitalisation has increased cyber threats, and you need strong security. It …
Educational institutions are now one of the top targets of cybercriminals, and the number of attacks has grown significantly in recent years. The shift to digital learning platforms, online student records, and cloud-based systems has introduced many vulnerabilities. Schools hold extremely sensitive data, including student personal data and finances, and therefore they are active targets of ransomware gangs and data …
January 2026 What an inspiring day! Thank you to all our schools for joining us at our annual Cygnet Education Conference, held in the beautiful Holy Trinity Church in Wallington, Surrey, on 20th November 2025. It was wonderful to see so many of you in person, and we hope you found the day both informative and enjoyable. A massive thank …
The large company usually makes headlines about the victims of cyber attacks. In reality, small and medium-sized enterprises have become prime targets for cybercriminals who see them as easier targets than large corporations. The myth that only large companies are attacked by hackers has left many organisations vulnerable to devastating attacks. In 2025, digital threats are increasing at an alarming …
