Colleges & Universities

Introduction

Cybersecurity is a critical concern for all organizations, but it is especially important for secondary schools. Schools store a vast amount of sensitive data about students, including personal information, grades, and medical records. This data is a valuable target for cybercriminals, who may use it to commit identity theft, fraud, or other crimes.

Cybersecurity Threats

Here are some of the most common cybersecurity threats that secondary education administrators and teachers need to be aware of:

• Unauthorized disclosure and theft of student records: Cybercriminals may target school networks in order to steal student records. This data can be used to commit identity theft, fraud, or other crimes.
• Breaches and hacks affecting school operations and student data: Cybersecurity incidents can disrupt school operations and compromise student data. For example, a ransomware attack could encrypt school files, making them inaccessible until a ransom is paid.
• Phishing and credential misuse: Attackers may send phishing emails to teachers and administrators in an attempt to steal their login credentials. Once they have access to these credentials, attackers can use them to gain access to school networks and systems.
• Corruption of school technology and security systems: Cybersecurity incidents can lead to the corruption of school technology and security systems. This can disrupt school operations and make it difficult for students and teachers to access the resources they need.
• Cyberbullying, discrimination, threats, mental health red flags: Video conferencing, chats, discussion forums, and any other platform that allows interaction among students need strict observation and moderation on the part of teachers and authority figures in order to spot and root out any sign of cyberbullying, discrimination, threats, mental health red flags, and other concerning behaviors.
• Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS): This type of attack can disrupt the school’s network services, making it difficult or impossible for students and teachers to access the internet and other online resources.
• Data breaches: Unauthorized access to data can lead to sensitive information being exposed. This data could include student records, financial information, or other confidential data.
• Ransomware: Malicious software that blocks access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid. Ransomware attacks can be very disruptive and costly for schools.
• IoT vulnerabilities: As schools increasingly adopt Internet of Things (IoT) devices, these devices can be exploited if not properly secured. For example, an attacker could exploit a vulnerability in a smart thermostat to gain access to the school's network.

Cybersecurity Protections

There are a number of things that secondary education administrators and teachers can do to protect their schools from cybersecurity threats, including:

• Educating teachers and staff about cybersecurity: It is important for all teachers and staff to be aware of cybersecurity threats and know how to protect themselves and their students. Schools should provide cybersecurity training to all staff members on a regular basis.
• Implementing strong cybersecurity policies and procedures: Schools should have strong cybersecurity policies and procedures in place to protect their networks and data. These policies should cover topics such as password management, data encryption, and incident response.
• Using security software and solutions: Schools should use security software and solutions to protect their networks and data from attack. This software should include antivirus software, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems.
• Keeping software and systems up to date: Schools should make sure that all software and systems are up to date with the latest security patches. Security patches often include fixes for known vulnerabilities, which can help to protect schools from attack.
• Backing up data regularly: Schools should back up their data regularly on a secure offline storage device. This will help to ensure that their data is not lost if their networks or systems are compromised.

By taking these steps, secondary education administrators and teachers can help to protect their schools from cybersecurity threats.