Beyond Lockdowns: Why Schools Need to Level Up Their Cyber Security

Keeping our schools safe is paramount, but often, the focus is only on physical security, while cybersecurity gets overlooked. This article, drawing insights from a report by the Center for Internet Security (CIS), explores how K-12 schools can bolster their defenses in the digital realm.

In a previous article, we touched upon technologies like video and audio analytics that can detect threats such as gunshots. We also discussed smart sensors that can identify smoking, vaping, and other unwanted behaviors.

However, in today’s hyper-connected world, K-12 schools are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks. The CIS report highlights some alarming statistics: between July 2023 and December 2024, 82% of K-12 schools experienced the impact of cyber threats, with 9,300 confirmed cybersecurity incidents reported during that same period.

A cyber breach can have a ripple effect, impacting not only the school but also the wider community. K-12 schools offer vital services like breakfast and lunch programs, safe havens for children of working parents, and mental health support, the report points out.

“When cyberattacks disrupt these services, the effects ripple throughout the community. A parent missing work to care for a child during a school closure creates economic impact. A student missing meals due to cafeteria system outages affects their health and ability to learn. The loss of access to counseling services during critical times can have lasting effects on student well-being,” CIS stated.

Therefore, maintaining robust cyber hygiene and preventing cyberattacks are crucial for K-12 schools. The report outlines several measures that can be taken, which we will explore in detail below.

Empowering the human element

While cybersecurity often brings technology to mind, the human element is just as important, especially in K-12 schools. The report suggests that schools should cultivate a shared understanding that everyone plays a role in protecting against cyber threats. It also recommends recognizing and celebrating staff members who identify and report potential security issues; fostering open communication between the IT department and educational staff; and ensuring that everyone in the school community understands how their actions can contribute to safeguarding critical services.

Technical framework development

Of course, empowering individuals is not enough; technology is also vital in the fight against cyber threats. Technology implementations for K-12 cybersecurity should be as seamless as possible, allowing teachers and staff to focus on their core mission: educating students. According to the report, key technology implementations to ensure cybersecurity in K-12 should include: multi-factor authentication designed with teacher workflows in mind; backup systems that automatically protect critical data while allowing teachers to focus on teaching; network design that protects sensitive information; and endpoint protection that focuses on preventing threats without creating barriers to educational software and resources.

Fostering community resilience

As the saying goes, “It takes a village.” Cybersecurity in K-12 schools is a community-wide effort. The report recommends that K-12 schools develop communication strategies that establish trusted channels for sharing information with families during cyber incidents; build relationships with local media to ensure accurate and helpful coverage during a cyber incident; prepare clear, accessible templates for various types of incidents and implement those templates into the user’s tabletop exercises to get real-world experience and gain confidence; and maintain strong connections with community partners who can provide support to the K-12 organization during a cyber-incident.