Cyber Security for Schools That Goes Beyond Basic Protection.
Holker IT helps schools across the UK meet DfE cyber security standards, achieve Cyber Essentials certification and protect pupils with safeguarding-grade filtering and monitoring. Because cyber security in schools is about more than firewalls.
Talk to Our Education Security Team
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- DfE Cyber Security Standards
- Cyber Essentials Certified
- Safeguarding-Grade Filtering
- Free DfE RAG Assessment
- 2030 Compliance Support
Cyber Security Services Built Around Schools.
Schools face unique cyber security challenges. Sensitive pupil data, safeguarding obligations, limited IT resources and tight budgets. We provide the protection schools actually need.
Firewalls & Endpoint Protection
Next-generation firewalls and endpoint security across all school devices, blocking threats before they reach your network or your data.
Filtering & Monitoring
Safeguarding-grade web filtering and network monitoring that goes beyond a simple blocklist, keeping pupils safe online and meeting your statutory safeguarding obligations.
Secure Backups
Regular, tested backups of all critical school data, stored securely offsite, so you can recover quickly if the worst happens without paying a ransom or losing records.
Access Control & Identity
Multi-factor authentication, role-based access and identity management so only the right people can access the right systems, whether staff, governors or pupils.
Cyber Essentials Support
We guide schools through the Cyber Essentials certification process, making it straightforward and ensuring your controls meet the required standard.
DfE Standards Assessment
A free RAG-rated report showing exactly where your school stands against the DfE cyber security standards, with clear next steps to reach compliance by 2030.
Helping Schools Meet the DfE Cyber Security Requirements.
The DfE updated its Digital and Technology Standards in January 2025, setting out minimum requirements for cyber security across all schools and colleges. Schools are expected to meet these standards by 2030.
Holker IT maps its cyber security services directly to the DfE standards, so you can see clearly what you have covered and what still needs addressing.
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Filtering and monitoring of internet activity across the school network
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Device security policies and patch management across all devices
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Secure backups with tested recovery procedures
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Access controls and privileged account management
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Network security including firewalls and network segregation
"We don't understand cyber security. We are educationalists, not network managers. Holker are here to benefit and support us. They are specialists in all the areas that we need them to be specialists in."
Strategic Lead
Special School, Lancashire
Cyber Security and Safeguarding Go Hand in Hand.
In schools, cyber security is not just about protecting systems. It is about protecting pupils. The DfE's 2025 safeguarding guidance explicitly links cyber security to pupil safety.
Content Filtering That Actually Works
We deploy filtering solutions that go well beyond a basic blocklist, using category-based filtering, real-time threat intelligence and customisable rules so your school can control what pupils access on your network without blocking legitimate learning resources.
Network Monitoring for Safeguarding
We configure monitoring tools that flag unusual activity, including attempts to access blocked content, so your designated safeguarding lead has the visibility they need without having to wade through technical logs.
BYOD and Personal Device Policy
If your school allows pupils or staff to use personal devices on your network, we can segment your network and apply appropriate filtering policies to ensure your safeguarding controls remain effective.
Incident Response Support
If your school experiences a cyber incident, ransomware attack or data breach, our team can provide immediate support to contain the incident, restore from backup and help you meet your reporting obligations under GDPR.
Frequently Asked Questions.
What are the DfE cyber security standards for schools?
The DfE published updated Digital and Technology Standards in January 2025, covering areas including filtering and monitoring, device security, backups, access controls and network security. Schools are expected to be working towards full compliance by 2030. We offer a free RAG-rated assessment so you can see exactly where your school stands. Request your free report here.
What is Cyber Essentials and do schools need it?
Cyber Essentials is a government-backed certification scheme that helps organisations protect against common cyber attacks. While not yet mandatory for schools, it demonstrates that your school has basic cyber hygiene in place and aligns with DfE cyber security expectations. We can guide you through the assessment and certification process.
What filtering and monitoring do you provide for schools?
We deploy enterprise-grade content filtering that meets the DfE's requirements for safeguarding, including category-based filtering, real-time threat intelligence and monitoring that flags activity relevant to your designated safeguarding lead. Our filtering goes significantly beyond the basic solutions many schools currently use.
What should a school do if it suffers a cyber attack?
Contact us immediately. We can help isolate affected systems, assess the scope of the incident, restore from secure backup and guide you through your reporting obligations under GDPR. The DfE also operates a cyber attack advice line for schools. Speed of response is critical in limiting the damage from a ransomware or data breach incident.
Do you support Cyber Essentials Plus as well as the basic certification?
Yes. We can support schools through both the standard Cyber Essentials self-assessment and the independently verified Cyber Essentials Plus certification, depending on your requirements and any funding or contractual obligations you may have.
Cyber Security is Part of a Bigger Picture.
Find Out Where Your School Stands on Cyber Security.
Get your free DfE RAG report and see exactly what your school needs to reach compliance by 2030, with plain-English recommendations and no obligation.