School districts are the #1 target for cyberattacks. As technology use increases in our schools, the protection of students’ sensitive data becomes not just a priority, but an obligation. The problem is that K-12 IT teams often don’t have the bandwidth or resources to mitigate evolving, global threats.
Securus360 is singularly focused on delivering cybersecurity services to K-12 school districts. There is nothing more important than equipping K-12 leaders with the information, resources and support they need to keep their school district safe.
So, we’re thrilled to announce a new free resource we’re sharing with the K-12 community:
The K-12 Cyberattack Map.
We’ll delve into what this map is, why it's crucial, and what it reveals about the state of cybersecurity in K-12 education.
Mapping K-12 Cyberattacks
The K-12 Cyberattack Map is a comprehensive visual list of publicized, recent cyberattacks within K-12 districts across the country. Not only are we highlighting recent attacks, but we’re also sharing insight into the attack methods used as well as the outcome of each attack. By constantly monitoring cybersecurity and local news reports, we’ve compiled all the relevant information about actual attacks to highlight the specific threats to your district. It's a real-time and often sobering view of the digital battleground that school districts across the nation are facing every day.
When It Comes to Cybersecurity, Knowledge Is Power
Think of it this way: you probably keep an eye on local news and police reports in your neighborhood. You want to know what's happening around you. The Securus360 K-12 Cyberattack Map provides that same digest of relevant information and awareness for school districts. It takes the abstract concept of cyber threats and makes them tangible through a visualized inventory of actual events. It's like a police report stating that houses all around yours have been broken into… which is all the more worrisome if you don't have a burglar alarm. The dangers are creeping closer to your door, and now is the time to decide how to protect yourself.
We see the same story all the time – the necessity of cybersecurity is often underestimated until an attack occurs. Visualizing the scope and volume of threats makes it impossible to ignore.
Look, we get it. K-12 technical teams often don’t have the bandwidth and resources to mitigate evolving, global threats. There’s constant, mounting pressure coming from all angles to keep students safe, but that doesn’t always mean there are enough resources to fuel a comprehensive cybersecurity program in-house. Sharing this map with others in your district can serve as a wake-up call regarding the cybercrime happening all around us.
Takeaways From the Creation of Our K-12 Cyberattack Map
Our team is invested in researching, updating and synthesizing these ongoing threats so you always have a finger on the pulse of the K-12 school district threat landscape. So, what have we learned from putting this resource together?
1. Everyone Is at Risk:
- Size doesn't matter: One of the most surprising discoveries is that cyber criminals do not seem to discriminate based upon the size or budget of a school district. Whether you're a small rural district or a large urban one, you are a potential target. Attackers are exploiting any vulnerability regardless of size and budget because security gaps and innocent human errors can happen anywhere.
- The education sector is highly vulnerable: The sobering reality of collating this map is that K-12 school districts are prime targets for cyberattacks. This vulnerability comes from the wealth of sensitive data they store, including student and staff personal records, financial information and other valuable data. Attackers recognize the potential for financial gain or disruption, making schools attractive targets.
2. Visibility Matters:
- Known vs. unknown attacks: The map provides a snapshot of “known” attacks, those that have been reported and documented. But here’s the rub – a lot of attacks go unreported. This means that the actual threat landscape is certainly more extensive than what is publicly known and highlighted on our map – the question is: by how much?
- Preparedness is key: Cybersecurity is no longer optional for school districts. It's an essential part of an educational institution’s IT infrastructure. Having comprehensive, robust cybersecurity in place is more cost-effective and less disruptive than dealing with the chaotic aftermath of an attack.
3. Collaboration Is Key:
- Community awareness: The challenges and risks of cybersecurity threats are shared and felt among school districts nationwide. By understanding that you are not alone in facing these threats, districts can come together to develop best practices, share resources, and collectively improve their security posture.
The Securus360 K-12 Cyberattack Map is a powerful tool that brings the true risks of cybersecurity threats into sharp focus for school districts. It's a reminder that these threats are real, and failing to prepare can have dramatic consequences. It’s not a matter of if a breach attempt will occur… it’s a matter of when!
The good news is you don’t have to solve these monumental challenges alone. Don't wait until your district becomes yet another statistic on this map. Take proactive steps to protect your students' data and ensure the resilience of your cybersecurity posture. To learn more about how Securus360 can help safeguard your district, schedule a demo today. Your peace of mind is just a click away.
