{"id":2156,"date":"2023-10-04T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-04T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-12-18T22:39:42","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T06:39:42","slug":"ensuring-secure-safe-experiences-for-every-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/education\/blog\/2023\/10\/ensuring-secure-safe-experiences-for-every-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Ensuring secure, safe experiences for every school"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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We need to be taking these cyber-attacks on schools as seriously as we do physical attacks on critical infrastructure. Schools are the infrastructure of learning in America.<\/p>\nDr. Miguel Cardona, United States Secretary of Education<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

World-class security and secure learning experiences are pillars that guide how Microsoft approaches cybersecurity in education. We recognize that cybersecurity is a top concern across this nation\u2014from IT professionals who provide frontline support to technology decision makers that purchase services\u2014and our solutions reflect both their needs as well as our expertise as a leading security company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Microsoft cybersecurity solutions<\/a> for schools are extensive, efficient, and customizable to the most demanding IT needs or federal requirements. The Microsoft 365 Education A5 plan<\/a> is our most robust security package with unified tools that prevent and detect threats, safeguard data, and provide device management with security policy implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When schools choose Microsoft 365 Education A5, they receive a Gartner-recognized security suite that replaces as many as 26 separate vendors<\/a>\u2014a budget-conscious savings that\u2019s realized year after year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proactive steps to stay secure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first few steps to keeping accounts and devices secure are simple and extremely effective. In just a few moments, you can help prevent identity attacks and harmful viruses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turn on Multifactor Authentication (MFA) for all staff and educators.<\/strong> Multifactor authentication provides an extra barrier and layer of security that makes it incredibly difficult for attackers to get past. Download Microsoft Authenticator<\/a> for simple, fast, and highly secure two-factor authentication across your apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use antivirus and antimalware protection.<\/strong> Malware attacks are rampant in education. Tools like Microsoft Defender<\/a> help keep you and your schools\u2019 devices safe from harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regularly update your apps.<\/strong> Programs are constantly improving their resiliency to become more secure. Windows 11<\/a> and Microsoft Edge<\/a> offer you the choice of when and how to get the latest updates<\/a> to keep your devices running smoothly and securely. Additionally, Microsoft Intune for Education<\/a> can be used to push updates in many cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defend against threats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While large-scale, high-cost attacks are a concern, it’s equally crucial to address the ongoing threats that schools face, such as social engineering tactics that involve phishing<\/a> messages and malware<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Microsoft Defender family of products in the Microsoft 365 Education A5 plan is a suite of tools that detect, prevent, and remediate cyber-threats that impact schools. It includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n