Secure Schools unveils free Cyber Score tool to help UK schools tackle cyber threats
Secure Schools has introduced Cyber Score, a free tool designed to help educational institutions in the UK assess and improve their cyber-security readiness.
The platform allows school leaders to evaluate their current position through a series of one-click statements, generating a customized report outlining strengths and areas requiring attention.
The tool is tailored specifically for schools, avoiding technical jargon and aligning with the needs of school business managers, IT leads, governors, and trust leadership teams.
Tool designed for schools, not general enterprise
Unlike broader cyber-security tools, Cyber Score is structured around education-sector priorities and compliance frameworks. At launch, it offers tracking against the Department for Education’s cyber-security standards and the Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA). Future updates will introduce compatibility with international frameworks such as Cyber Essentials (UK), the Essential Eight (Australia), and the NIST Cyber-security Framework 2.0 (US).
The platform was developed following consultation with schools over several years. According to Secure Schools, the approach was shaped by the specific operational and resource constraints educational institutions face.
Paul Alberry, Secure Schools Co-Founder & CEO, said:
“Schools increasingly rely on tech to process the data they need to be operational – and sometimes that's as crucial as keeping the doors open and children safe. Cyber Score is our commitment to making cybersecurity effortless, accessible, and actionable for every school. We believe a cyber-attack should never disrupt a child's education. With Cyber Score, schools now have a clear way to benchmark, improve, and reduce their cybersecurity risks.”
Benchmarking, compliance, and flexible access
Cyber Score enables schools to benchmark their cybersecurity posture against peers and recognized standards. The report format highlights high-priority improvements and can serve as a record for governance or inspection purposes.
The assessment process is self-paced and designed to be accessible regardless of a school’s technical expertise or budget. There are no charges associated with the use of the tool.
Secure Schools has been active in the education cybersecurity space since 2018. The company states that Cyber Score reflects its experience working directly with schools and multi-academy trusts to address cybersecurity gaps.
