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3 Security Wins for Schools That Cost $0

Cybersecurity in education is always a balancing act. Districts face increasing threats from phishing, ransomware, and account compromise, but budgets rarely stretch to cover enterprise-grade tools. The good news? You don't need a million-dollar security budget to make meaningful improvements.


Here are three steps you can take today, using tools you likely already have, to strengthen your district's security posture all at zero additional cost.


1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Everywhere

Why it matters:

Stolen credentials remain the #1 entry point for attackers. MFA drastically reduces the risk of unauthorized access even if a password is compromised.


How to implement (Google Workspace & Microsoft 365):

  • Google Workspace: Admin Console → Security → Authentication → 2-Step Verification. Enforce it for staff and students where possible.
  • Microsoft 365: Azure AD → Security → MFA. Start with administrators, then roll out to faculty/staff.


Pro tip: Start with high-risk accounts (IT staff, finance, and administrators), then expand. Communicate early with users to avoid resistance.


2. Turn On and Tune Native Logging

Why it matters:

You can't defend what you can't see. Logs give you visibility into what's happening in your environment, from failed logins to suspicious PowerShell activity.


How to implement (Windows):

  • Sysmon (System Monitor): Free from Microsoft Sysinternals. Provides detailed logging of process creation, network connections, and more.
  • Windows Event Forwarding (WEF): Forward logs from endpoints to a central server (even a basic Windows VM).


Example use case:

  • Create an alert (even a scheduled PowerShell script) for repeated failed logins or suspicious processes like mimikatz.exe.
  • Store logs for at least 30 days to support incident investigations.


Pro tip: If you can't afford a SIEM, Elastic (free tier) or Wazuh are solid central log storage and analysis options.


3. Lock Down Privileged Accounts

Why it matters:

Attackers aim for "keys to the kingdom" accounts, such as Domain Admins. Reducing privilege sprawl and enforcing rotation limits lateral movement.


How to implement:

  • Microsoft LAPS (Local Administrator Password Solution): A Free tool that automatically rotates local admin passwords and stores them securely in AD.
  • Limit Domain Admins: Ensure domain admins can only log in to Domain Controllers, not every machine in the district.
  • Audit Admin Rights: Run net localgroup administrators on endpoints to review and remove unnecessary accounts.


Pro tip: Treat admin accounts as separate identities. Require admins to have a standard account for daily work, and a separate elevated account for administrative tasks.


Closing Thoughts

Security improvements don't always require expensive tools or outside services. By enabling MFA, tuning native logging, and securing privileged accounts, you raise the bar significantly against common attack vectors without spending a dime.

The reality for K–12 and higher education is that we must be resourceful. These steps prove that you can build resilience even on a tight budget with the right focus.


Over to you: What's your go-to zero-cost security improvement? I'd love to hear other practical ideas from the community.

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