What Is Penetration Testing?

External Penetration TestingInternal Penetration Testing
Focuses on systems exposed to the internet -websites, email servers, VPN gateways, and firewalls.  It simulates attacks from outside the organisation, testing the first line of defence.Simulates an attack from within the network, such as a compromised staff account or an infected device.  It assesses how far an attacker could go once inside and whether internal controls are strong enough to contain the threat.

Penetration testing (“pen testing”) is a simulated cyberattack conducted by ethical hackers to identify vulnerabilities in an organisation’s IT infrastructure.  It’s not just about finding flaws, it’s about understanding how a real-world attacker might exploit them and how to fix them before they’re used maliciously.

Why Schools Need Penetration Testing?

In today’s digital-first education landscape, schools are more reliant than ever on technology for learning, operations, and safeguarding sensitive data. However, cyber threats are evolving rapidly, and attackers increasingly target schools. Therefore, schools must proactively defend their systems. In this context, penetration testing—both internal and external—serves as a cornerstone of modern cyber resilience.

Why Schools Need Both?

Schools hold vast amounts of sensitive data including student records, safeguarding information, financial details and often operate across multiple sites and networks.  A single vulnerability can lead to: data breaches, disruption of learning, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties.

By conducting both internal and external tests, schools gain a 360-degree view of their cyber resilience. It’s not just about the perimeter, it’s about what happens if that perimeter is breached.

Recent research shows that cyberattacks on schools are rising, with over 60% of secondary schools and 85% of colleges facing incidents in the past year.  The cost of a breach in education has climbed to £3.29 million in 2025, reflecting the growing sophistication of attackers and the value of school data.  Common threats include ransomware, phishing, business email compromise, and data breaches.

Best Practices for Building Cyber Resilience:

Leading frameworks such as NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework and the UK’s Cyber Essentials provide actionable guidance for schools.  Key recommendations include:

  • Implement a Zero-Trust Approach: Assume every device and user could be compromised.  Limit access and monitor activity
  • Regular Data Backups: Follow the 3-2-1 rule—three copies of data, two different devices, one off-site.  Test backups regularly
  • Staff Training: Use free resources from the NCSC and foster a culture of reporting issues without blame
  • Strong Security Tools: Firewalls, antivirus, multi-factor authentication, and regular patching are essential
  • Government Standards: Align with DfE cyber security standards, including filtering, monitoring, and user account controls
  • Cyber Essentials Certification: This government-backed scheme helps schools demonstrate their commitment to cyber security, especially useful for Multi Academy Trusts (MATs)
Learn more about real-world impacts.

Engagements with our trusts have shown how pen testing uncovers hidden risks and improves security posture.  Examples of this :

  • External tests revealed misconfigured firewalls and exposed services.
  • Internal tests highlighted weak access controls and outdated software.
  • Combined testing helped schools prepare for Cyber Essentials Plus and meet Department for Education (DfE) standards.

A recent penetration test for one of our Trusts identified accounts with guessable passwords and sensitive information stored in user description fields, leading to immediate remediation and improved security posture.

What to Expect from a Comprehensive Pen Test:

  • Scoping and asset identification
  • Simulated attack scenarios
  • Vulnerability scanning
  • Manual exploitation attempts
  • Detailed reporting with remediation advice

At European Electronique, each test is tailored to the school’s environment – whether it’s a single academy or a multi-site trust.  Support includes interpreting results, implementing fixes, and preparing for audits.

Emerging Technologies and Future Risks

As schools adopt new technologies like AI, VR/AR, and cloud-based solutions, the threat landscape becomes more complex.  These tools bring opportunities for learning but also introduce new vulnerabilities.  Schools must ensure third-party vendors meet security standards and regularly review their cyber resilience strategies.

Let’s Build Resilience Together

Cyber resilience isn’t a one-time effort, it’s an ongoing journey.  Penetration testing is a vital checkpoint on that path.  It gives schools the insight they need to strengthen defences, protect their communities, and stay ahead of threats.

Secure Your School’s Future Today

Don’t wait for a cyber incident to expose vulnerabilities in your school’s systems. Proactive penetration testing is the key to safeguarding sensitive data, maintaining trust, and ensuring uninterrupted learning.  Whether you’re a single academy or a multi-site trust, now is the time to strengthen your cyber defences.

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