Industries

Education Cybersecurity

Protect student data. Defend against ransomware. Stay funded.

Education cybersecurity from Sherlock Forensics protects K-12 schools, colleges and universities from ransomware, data breaches and student privacy violations. Assessments cover student information systems, learning management platforms, research data and administrative networks. Budget-friendly security testing starting at $1,500 CAD.

Get Started Call 604.229.1994

Active Threats

Active Threats

Schools and universities are the second most targeted sector for ransomware after manufacturing. Attackers target educational institutions because they hold sensitive student data, operate with limited security budgets and face intense pressure to restore access during the academic year.

Student information systems contain names, addresses, birth dates, grades, health records and sometimes financial information. A breach triggers mandatory notification requirements under FIPPA (BC), PIPEDA (federal) and provincial privacy legislation.

What We Test

What We Test

Student Information Systems: We test access controls, authentication, data encryption and API security on systems that store student records. Unauthorized access to student data is a privacy violation with regulatory consequences.

Learning Management Systems: We assess LMS platforms (Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard) for authentication flaws, grade manipulation, content injection and data leakage.

Administrative Networks: We test the network infrastructure that connects administrative offices, financial systems and HR platforms. These systems are the primary ransomware target.

Research Data Security: For universities, we assess research data repositories, grant management systems and collaboration platforms that store intellectual property.

Budget-Friendly Approach

Budget-Friendly Approach

We understand education budgets. Our Quick Security Audit ($1,500 CAD) covers the most critical attack surfaces in a focused assessment. Standard penetration tests ($5,000 CAD) provide comprehensive coverage. We also offer multi-campus pricing for districts and university systems.

Many educational institutions qualify for cybersecurity grants and insurance risk mitigation budgets that offset testing costs.

Get Started

Ready to strengthen your defenses?

Order a security assessment online or call for a free scoping consultation. From $1,500 CAD.

Since 20064.8/5 ratingCISSP, ISSAP, ISSMP certified
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Questions

Frequently Asked

What privacy laws apply to schools in British Columbia?
BC schools must comply with FIPPA (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act) for public institutions and PIPA for independent schools. Federal PIPEDA applies to commercially operated educational technology. Breach notification is mandatory under both frameworks.
How much does a school security assessment cost?
Quick Security Audits start at $1,500 CAD covering your most critical systems. Standard penetration tests covering student information systems, LMS and administrative networks start at $5,000 CAD. Multi-campus and district pricing is available.
Can you test during the school year without disrupting classes?
Yes. We schedule testing outside of peak hours and work with your IT team to avoid any impact on teaching and learning. Critical systems are tested during maintenance windows. We have experience working within the academic calendar.
What should a school do after a ransomware attack?
Isolate affected systems immediately without powering them off. Contact your IT team and Sherlock Forensics at 604.229.1994. Do not pay the ransom before consulting a forensic examiner. Preserve evidence for investigation and regulatory reporting. Notify your privacy officer for mandatory breach notification.
Do universities need different security testing than K-12?
Yes. Universities have additional attack surfaces: research data repositories, federated authentication (Shibboleth/SAML), grant management systems, medical school patient data (if applicable) and extensive BYOD networks. University assessments are typically broader in scope and require specialized methodology for research environments.