CREST-accredited penetration testing for schools, colleges, academy trusts and universities, scoped around the DfE cyber security standards and the data you have a duty to protect.
What is penetration testing for education?
Penetration testing for education is hands-on security testing of the systems schools, colleges and universities rely on: networks, MIS and cloud platforms, websites and remote access, carried out by a qualified human rather than an automated scan.
Why it matters
Education has been a top-ten target for cyber attacks every year since 2020, with ransomware repeatedly closing schools and trusts. You hold highly sensitive pupil, safeguarding and staff data, and the DfE cyber security standards expect you to assess and secure your systems.
How Solusec tests it
We scope the test around how your organisation actually runs and the DfE standards, then test your networks, applications and cloud, validate every finding by hand, and report in language leadership and governors can act on.
Education testing, done right
Solusec is a CREST-accredited penetration testing provider and a member of the BESA LaunchPad programme for education suppliers. We test in line with the DfE cyber security standards, understand KCSIE filtering and monitoring duties, MIS platforms and safeguarding systems, and keep pupil and staff data safe throughout. You deal directly with the tester, not a call centre.
What you get
You get a clear, prioritised report mapped to risk and to the DfE cyber security standards, a plain-English summary for leadership and governors, practical fixes for your IT team or MSP, and a free retest once you have remediated.
Common questions
Is penetration testing required for schools?
It is not a standalone legal mandate, but the DfE cyber security standards expect an annual cyber risk assessment and secured systems, and RPA cover requires a cyber response plan. Testing validates your controls and evidences due diligence.
Do you test MIS and cloud systems?
Yes, including how MIS platforms such as SIMS, Arbor or Bromcom, Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, and remote access are configured and secured.
How quickly can testing start?
After a short, free scoping call we give a fixed price and a start date, often within days.
Do you keep our data safe during testing?
Yes. Testing is scoped and conducted to protect pupil, student and staff data throughout, and we are CREST-accredited.
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