Schools use technology for almost everything now – from taking attendance to storing health records. Moving education online with software and digital tools simplifies administration and improves instruction, making data and school curricula more accessible. Education technologies help educators track student progress, communicate with families, and manage daily operations. However, this increased reliance on technology also makes education vendors and schools more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats.
Schools face unique challenges when it comes to cybersecurity. Tight budgets, a steady flow of users, and student data in disparate systems and networks spread across multiple school sites all make security more complex. Schools should learn about and invest in cybersecurity protections to protect against costly technology disruptions such as denials of service and data breaches.
Here are some ideas to help schools learn about and create secure systems that work efficiently and maintain community trust.
Why Cybersecurity in Education Matters
Cyber threats are getting more sophisticated, and recovery costs are rising. In 2024, schools hit by ransomware attacks spent an average of $3.76M to recover from these attacks, more than double the $1.59M reported in 2023. This sharp increase reflects growing financial exposure for schools.
Parents are also more concerned about their children’s data security. They want to know their children’s personal information, academic records, and health data are protected. Any threat or breach can erode trust and may lead to legal issues, affecting a school’s reputation in the community.
Best Practices for K-12 Cybersecurity
Schools can take practical steps to protect their data and community. Remember that these steps don’t have to be complicated or expensive to be effective.
Evaluate Your Cybersecurity Systems
Schools should review and harden their IT systems about every six months. These reviews help find weak spots and ensure that current security measures work well. Your district should continuously ask, “What’s working?” “What’s vulnerable?”
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers evaluation guidelines for schools. These guidelines provide a clear framework for managing cybersecurity risks. Tools like vulnerability scans and security audits also help schools stay protected. Regular reviews can also catch problems early before they become serious issues.
Find the Right Security Vendor
Schools should evaluate potential security vendors by looking beyond just price points. The right partner will understand the complex nature of K-12 cybersecurity and provide solutions that grow with your district. When choosing a vendor, check their track record with education-specific regulations like FERPA and COPPA.
Quality vendors provide comprehensive support, including implementation help and staff training. They should also offer solutions that integrate with existing systems to reduce complexity. Ask for references from other schools and evaluate the vendor’s history of responding to security incidents.
Cybersecurity Training for Everyone
Technology alone isn’t enough to protect school data. Staff and students need ongoing training to recognize and respond to security threats. This training includes learning about secure password practices, identifying suspicious emails, and understanding proper data handling procedures. When the school community knows how to prevent, identify and report potential security issues, they create a “human firewall” that significantly reduces risk.
Using Effective Security Tools
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and encryption are two important security tools. MFA requires users to verify their identity in multiple ways before accessing systems. This protection might include entering a password and then confirming access through a phone app or email code. Encryption encodes data, protecting it in a non-readable format from someone who manages to access the data without permission. These tools work together to keep school information secure.
Districts should also regularly back up data stored in their software systems. Backups help schools quickly restore mission-critical software if something goes wrong. Good backup systems save data in multiple secure locations and test regularly to make sure the backups work.
Benefits of Investing in Cybersecurity
When schools invest in cybersecurity, the benefits ripple throughout the entire district. Here’s how strong security measures pay off in key areas.
Protecting School Finances
Cyberattacks cost schools in many ways – from immediate recovery expenses to potential fines and legal fees. Schools might need to hire security experts, replace equipment, or pay for credit monitoring services for affected individuals. Strong security helps prevent these losses and protects school budgets for education needs.
Keeping Data Safe
Schools store sensitive information about their students, staff, and families. As the stewards of this data, schools should protect the information from theft and misuse. Good data security protects the privacy of individuals providing the information and is critical to maintaining community trust. Creating audit records for data access and updates is a useful way to ensure the appropriate controls on who accesses and modifies data that is in schools’ custody.
Meeting Legal Requirements
Laws like FERPA and COPPA require schools to protect student data. FERPA focuses on student records, while COPPA sets rules for collecting data from young students. These laws have specific requirements about how schools handle and protect information. Training staff on these laws ensures they have the knowledge required to implement security protocols that allow schools to adhere to these laws.
Maintaining Trust
When schools protect sensitive data well, it helps build trust with families and staff. Parents feel more confident sharing necessary information with schools. Staff members know their personal data is secure. This trust supports many aspects of school operations, from steady enrollment and funding opportunities to community involvement.
Supporting New Technology
Strong cybersecurity requirements allow schools to innovate without compromising safety. Districts can confidently explore digital tools and programs that improve learning, streamline operations, and enhance communication knowing that if vendors adhere to their cybersecurity requirements the systems will generally be secure. A secure foundation of education technology will provide peace of mind to all educators and community stakeholders alike, knowing their systems and data are protected.
Cybersecurity in Education: Securing the Future
As schools use more digital tools, their cybersecurity needs grow more complex. Schools now manage online learning platforms, digital textbooks, remote access systems, and cloud-based tools. Each new tool brings benefits for learning but also creates potential security risks.
Schools handle security differently than businesses do. A business can lock down its network and strictly limit who gets access. But schools need to keep their digital doors open for learning. Teachers need to share resources. Students need to collaborate on projects. Parents need to check grades and attendance.
That’s why school cybersecurity isn’t just something you set up once and forget about. It needs regular attention, like maintaining a building or updating curriculum. New security threats pop up all the time, so schools need to keep their protection current. Everyone in the school community also needs to understand their part in keeping information safe.
A comprehensive Student Information System (SIS) helps manage all of this. Think of it as the secure foundation that everything else builds on. It keeps sensitive information protected while making sure the right people can access what they need, when they need it.
Want to learn how our Q Student Information System can help with your school’s security? Contact us today to get started.