School Data Breaches
Over the past few years, many public school districts, universities, and other educational institutions have been the unfortunate victims of data breaches. Cybercriminals target schools hoping to gain access to sensitive personal information from students, parents, and faculty.
When data ends up in the wrong hands, bad actors may take advantage, using it for identity theft and fraud. Some may resell data on the dark web or attempt to extort entities for large sums of money.
At Class Action U, we help families understand their rights and explore their legal options when a school fails to safeguard personal data. If your information was compromised, you do not have to face it alone.
Why Schools Are Being Targeted in Cyberattacks
When you think of data breach victims, obvious targets such as financial service companies and health care entities may come to mind. These entities often store data that criminals would want, such as credit card numbers and identity information. However, educational institutions are among the top five industries targeted by hackers due to various reasons, such as:
- Limited cybersecurity resources: Public schools often lack the funding for robust IT infrastructure or ongoing maintenance. Faced with strict budgets, they may cut corners on IT investments in favor of other purchases that deliver more student or teacher benefits.
- Outdated software: Legacy systems may not be patched against the latest vulnerabilities.
- Lack of staff training: Teachers and administrative staff, especially at a local level, may not receive proper training on cyber hygiene best practices or how to identify a breach. They may overlook phishing emails and other tools commonly used by hackers.
- No dedicated IT team: Smaller districts may lack formal IT support, increasing exposure.
With these vulnerabilities, hackers can exploit systems to access and misuse personal data. Students, staff, and families may not even be aware until long after the data breach has occurred.
What Happens When a School Data Breach Occurs
Hackers use various techniques to break into a school’s systems. Some of the most common types of data breaches include exploiting known flaws in third-party software, stealing an administrator’s login details, and phishing. These methods give bad actors backdoor access to critical systems that house sensitive information like Social Security numbers, birthdates, or grades, which may be accessed, copied, or held for ransom.
Sometimes, a data breach does not stem from a hacker’s malicious efforts but instead through internal mistakes, like mishandling data or disposing of devices improperly. Even if the data is not published on the dark web, it still constitutes a data breach if unauthorized people view or use it.
Unfortunately, educational institutions can be slow to detect and report these incidents. On average, schools take 4.8 months to report a data breach, often because incidents go unnoticed. However, once a school becomes aware that one occurred, it must take swift action to prevent it from worsening. The FTC recommends that organizations notify law enforcement and get cybersecurity experts involved so they can fix vulnerabilities .
States require entities to send written notices to people affected by a data breach. A school must send this notification within the timeline the local law mandates. Following a cybersecurity failure, schools can strengthen information security practices and require cybersecurity training for faculty and staff to mitigate future risk.
Types of Data Commonly Exposed in School Data Breaches
Information commonly obtained through school security breaches includes:
- Names, addresses, and phone numbers
- Social Security numbers
- Email contact details
- Credit and debit card numbers
- Health insurance details
- Medical records
- Grades and school records
- Student birthdates
- Payroll and human resources data
This stolen data may be enough to impersonate others, open financial accounts, and commit other fraudulent activities.
Legal Rights of Students, Parents, and Faculty
Victims of school data breaches are protected under several federal and state laws:
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act: Limits the disclosure of a student’s personally identifiable information (PII) without a parent’s consent. Once students reach the age of majority, they must provide consent before an educational institution can share their data.
- Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act: Restricts data collection from children under 13 by giving parents some control over what their kids can share online, as well as putting special restrictions on websites that knowingly collect personal information of young visitors.
If a data breach occurs, educational organizations must follow federal and state laws. Most states require entities to notify affected victims via written notice within a specific timeframe. In certain cases, educational organizations may need to report the breach to the media, especially if it involves more than 500 people.
A few states require organizations to provide victims with free credit monitoring services. In some cases, individuals may take legal action against educational companies for failing to adequately secure their data.
Can You Sue a School or District for a Data Breach?
A data breach can cause tremendous harm to its victims. You may be able to take legal action if:
- The school or vendor failed to follow proper data protection protocols.
- The breach caused financial harm, emotional distress, or long-term risk.
At Class Action U, we partner with knowledgeable data breach attorneys who can assess your case. If your information was mishandled or your school failed to act, you may be eligible to join a class action or file an individual claim.
Notable School Data Breaches by Year
Multiple school districts, universities, and other educational institutions have experienced data breaches in recent years.
2025 School Breaches
2024 School Breaches
2023 School Breaches
2022 School Breaches
2021 School Breaches
What To Do if Your or Your Child's Data Was Compromised
As a parent or student, you have no control over a school’s IT or data protection systems. While you cannot prevent an incident from occurring, there are steps you can take following a breach to mitigate the misuse of your data.
1. Request A Breach Notification
If you hear about a data breach in the news and believe you may be affected, contact the organization’s administration immediately. Request a copy of its breach notification and review it to understand what personal information hackers may have.
2. Freeze Your Child's Credit
Hackers may take advantage of a child’s Social Security number to open accounts in their name. Request a credit freeze from all three major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—so you’ll receive a notification of any activity on their report.
3. Monitor for Identity Theft
Organizations may offer free credit monitoring and identity theft protection following a breach. Sign up for it so you receive notifications anytime someone tries to use your personal information. If free monitoring is not available, consider getting a paid plan.
4. Consider Your Legal Options
Consult with an attorney to determine what legal recourse you have. Sometimes, a breach may lead to a class action lawsuit against a school, especially if it involves a large group of people. Sign up for case updates so you can follow the legal proceedings and potentially recover damages.
Join a School Data Breach Lawsuit
School data breaches can be deeply disruptive and emotionally stressful. At Class Action U, we are committed to helping families and educators fight back.
We can connect you with knowledgeable data breach attorneys who can pursue justice and accountability on your behalf. There is no cost to speak with our partners, and no obligation to proceed. If you or your child were affected, take the first step today.
Don’t stand alone. Contact us for a free case review.
"*" indicates required fields
