In today’s digital world, cyberattacks are no longer a question of if, but when. The harsh reality is that no one online is exempt from being targeted. Whether you're a small business, educational institution, healthcare provider, or large enterprise, the impact of a cyberattack can be devastating.

As schools and businesses become increasingly reliant on digital tools for daily operations, they also become more vulnerable to cyber threats. These attacks can be highly disruptive and pose serious risks to personal privacy, staff operations, and public trust.

So, what happens when your organization is targeted—and more importantly, how can you be prepared?

 

What to Expect During a Cyberattack

  1. Disruption of Services
    Systems may slow down, crash, or become completely inaccessible. Online classrooms, learning platforms, and internal tools may suddenly go offline, halting instruction and operations.
  2. Data Breach or Theft
    Sensitive information, such as client or student records, financial data, payroll, or employee details, may be accessed, stolen, or encrypted in ransomware attacks.
  3. Internal Confusion
    Without a clear response plan, teams may be unsure how to react. This can delay containment and recovery efforts and lead to inconsistent messaging to clients, customers, the media, or - especially in schools - families.
  4. Reputational Damage
    Clients, partners, families, and the public may lose trust in your organization, particularly if their personal or financial data is compromised.
  5. Legal and Financial Consequences
    Depending on the nature of the breach, your organization may face compliance violations, regulatory fines, or even lawsuits.

 

How to Protect Your Team, Students/Clients & Data

  1. Educate Your Team
    Train employees and students to recognize phishing emails, suspicious links, and social engineering tactics. Remind everyone not to share passwords or click unfamiliar links—human error is often the weakest link.
  2. Implement Strong Access Controls
    Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible, limit access to sensitive data, and regularly update passwords—ideally using secure passphrases.
  3. Back Up Data Regularly
    Ensure backups are encrypted and stored securely, either offsite or in the cloud. Test your recovery process regularly to ensure it works when needed.
  4. Keep Software Updated
    Apply security patches and updates promptly to close vulnerabilities in your systems and applications.
  5. Develop an Incident Response Plan
    Create a clear, step-by-step plan for identifying, containing, and recovering from a cyberattack. Assign roles and conduct regular simulations. 

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) offers a free, comprehensive guide to help individuals, organizations, and communities respond to and recover from cyber incidents.

The National Cyber Incident Response Plan (NCIRP) can be accessed here:

Incident Response Plan (IRP) Basics | CISA

For a solid foundation on how to prepare for and respond to a cyberattack, we recommend reviewing CISA’s Incident Response Plan Basics. This resource outlines the essential components of an effective response strategy. Additionally, it links to further guidance from NIST, which offers in-depth recommendations on developing an Incident Response Policy, Plan, and Procedures, as well as best practices for handling incidents as they unfold.

  1. Invest in Cyber Insurance
    Cyber insurance can help cover recovery costs, legal fees, and potential damages in the event of a breach.
  2. Partner with a Cybersecurity Expert
    This is where Networks Plus comes in. As a trusted Managed Services Provider (MSP), Networks Plus offers proactive protection, real-time monitoring, and expert guidance to help you stay ahead of evolving threats. From risk assessments to incident response planning, our team is equipped to safeguard your organization and give you peace of mind.

 

Let’s Talk Cybersecurity

If you have questions about cybersecurity, want to assess your current defenses, or need help developing a response or educational plan, the team at Networks Plus is here to help. As trusted experts in the industry, we are ready to guide you through every step of protecting your data, your team, and your organization.

Call us today at 800.299.1704 or email sales@networksplus.com for more information.