Phishing Simulation: Protecting Schools from Cyber Attacks

Cyber attacks are one of the fastest growing threats facing organisations today. A single successful phishing email can lead to stolen passwords, data breaches, financial loss and serious reputational damage.

At Soltech IT, we help organisations strengthen their cyber security through controlled phishing simulations designed to test how staff respond to suspicious emails. These simulations help identify vulnerabilities, improve awareness and ensure your organisation is better protected against real-world cyber threats.

What is Phishing?

Phishing is a cyber attack where criminals send emails designed to trick people into revealing sensitive information such as:

• Passwords
• Email login credentials
• Banking details
• Personal data
• Access to internal systems

These emails often appear legitimate, pretending to be from trusted organisations such as banks, colleagues, suppliers or even school leadership teams.

Unfortunately, phishing attacks are responsible for a large percentage of cyber security breaches across both education and business sectors.

How Our Phishing Simulation Works

Our phishing simulation service safely tests how staff respond to suspicious emails in a controlled and secure way.

The process works as follows:

1. Realistic Test Emails

We send carefully designed phishing-style emails to staff within the organisation. These emails replicate common real-world cyber threats, such as fake login pages or urgent password reset requests.

The goal is to test whether users:

• Open the email
• Click on suspicious links
• Attempt to enter login credentials or sensitive information

2. Behaviour Monitoring

Our system tracks how recipients interact with the test emails. This allows us to understand where potential vulnerabilities exist within the organisation.

3. Detailed Reporting

After the simulation is complete, we compile a comprehensive report for the organisation’s leadership team. This is typically reviewed by the Headteacher or School Business Manager.

The report highlights:

• Who opened the email
• Who clicked the link
• Who attempted to enter credentials
• Which departments may require further cyber awareness training

This information allows schools and MAT's to take targeted action to improve security awareness.

Strengthening Cyber Security Awareness

Technology alone cannot stop every cyber threat. Human awareness plays a crucial role in keeping systems secure.

Phishing simulations help schools and MAT's:

• Identify staff who may need additional cyber security training
• Improve awareness of suspicious emails
• Reduce the risk of real cyber attacks succeeding
• Build a stronger cyber security culture

By regularly testing and educating staff, Schools and MAT's can significantly reduce the chances of a successful phishing attack.

Supporting Cyber Insurance Requirements

Many cyber insurance policies now require organisations to demonstrate active cyber risk management and staff awareness training.

Without appropriate measures in place, insurance providers may:

• Refuse to cover a cyber incident
• Reduce payouts following a breach
• Require evidence of staff training and testing

Phishing simulations provide documented evidence that your school or MAT is actively monitoring cyber risks and training staff to recognise threats. This helps ensure insurance policies remain valid and compliant with insurer requirements.

Safeguarding Data in Schools

For schools, cyber security is not just about protecting systems — it is also about safeguarding pupils and sensitive information.

Schools hold significant amounts of confidential data, including:

• Student personal records
• Safeguarding information
• Staff data
• Parent contact details
• Financial records

A successful phishing attack could expose this information to criminals.

Regular phishing testing supports schools or MAT's in meeting expectations set by the Department for Education’s cyber security guidance and contributes to safeguarding responsibilities reviewed during inspections.

By improving staff awareness, schools and MAT's can reduce the likelihood of data breaches that could put children’s information at risk.

Supporting Compliance and Ofsted Expectations

Cyber security is becoming an increasingly important part of school leadership and governance.

Testing staff awareness of phishing helps schools demonstrate:

• Strong data protection practices
• Awareness of cyber threats
• Responsible handling of sensitive information
• Proactive safeguarding of pupil data

These are all areas that leadership teams are expected to manage effectively as part of their overall safeguarding responsibilities.

Protecting Your Organisation from the Inside Out

Phishing attacks rely on human error. By helping staff recognise and respond correctly to suspicious emails, organisations can dramatically reduce the risk of cyber incidents.

Soltech IT’s phishing simulation service provides a simple but powerful way to:

• Test staff awareness
• Identify security risks
• Strengthen cyber security policies
• Protect sensitive data
• Support insurance and compliance requirements

Strengthen Your Cyber Security Today

Cyber security should always be a priority.

Our phishing simulation service helps schools and MAT's take a proactive approach to cyber protection, ensuring staff are prepared to recognise threats before they become serious incidents.

If you would like to learn more about phishing testing or how Soltech IT can support your organisation’s cyber security strategy, get in touch with our team today.

Maxwell Stewart

Senior IT Helpdesk Technician

Max is a highly qualified and experienced IT Technician who has previously worked for leading IT support organisations with a background in both the corporate and education sectors.

Max's skillsets include Windows Server, SharePoint, Azure, Intune and Apple iOS, to mention a few..