We all know K-12 school districts use technology in every aspect of the classroom. This can make classes more engaging and accessible, but it also opens the door to increased vulnerability to cyber threats. Educational institutions have a lot of valuable and very sensitive information – from student personal data to employee records. Unlike businesses that are able to reinforce their cybersecurity defenses, K-12 districts don’t always have the full-time staff or resources to protect themselves. This gap in defense, along with the value of the data, makes education the #1 most targeted industry by cybercriminals. The consequences of a breach in a school district don’t always play out immediately – they can ripple through the lives of students and staff for years, making cybersecurity not just a tech issue, but a life-long problem.
If you've heard of a "computer virus," then you've heard of malicious software. But viruses are just a small fraction of many possible threats that can impact a school. These threats fall under an umbrella term: “malware”. Malware encompasses all malicious software including spyware, ransomware, bots, and trojans.
1. Spyware/Tracking: This is malicious software designed to gather information (reconnaissance) about a person or organization without their knowledge. For K-12 school districts, spyware poses a significant threat because it can be used to gain access to the school's network.
2. Ransomware: Imagine coming into work to find all your files encrypted, with a message demanding payment to get them back. That’s ransomware in action. For school districts, the fallout could range from interrupting daily operations to loss of student data to huge, unforeseen, financial expenses. PDFs or Excel files sent via email are a common vehicle for ransomware by attempting phishing techniques.
3. Botnets: Malicious bots are software applications that run automated tasks. They can infect networks, send spam, or launch denial-of-service attacks.
4. Trojans: This type of malware is disguised as legitimate software. Once activated, they can grant cyber criminals access to your systems, leading to data breaches or other forms of cyberattacks.
Note: Each definition is not mutually exclusive and there is some overlap between them. Hacker’s techniques are always evolving.
K-12 school districts are an ideal target for cybercriminals as the districts maintain a database of highly valuable personally identifiable information (PII) of students and staff, including social security numbers, addresses, demographic data amongst other things but there are larger consequences beyond the immediate damage of a breach, including:
- Delayed Impact: Unlike corporations where a breach will have direct repercussions, hackers might not immediately exploit students' data. Instead, they'll wait until they enter the workforce and establish a credit history, and then strike, 3, 5 or 7 years later.
- Financial and Reputation Costs: If a district experiences a breach, there is almost always a financial cost. Unfortunately, in the case of a public school, this means taxpayer money. Beyond the financial cost, the district's reputation is at risk. The community may demand better cybersecurity and increased protections along with accountability from those in charge when the breach occured.
- Public School Implications: As government agencies, public schools face additional pressures. A breach might not just be a local news story - it could escalate to the state level, leading to broader scrutiny and consequences.
We understand the unique pressures faced by IT administrators in K-12 school districts. With a cyber landscape that's constantly evolving, it’s crucial to have a cybersecurity partner that's equally relentless. Our approach is holistic, combining machine learning with human insights to ensure that no threat goes unnoticed. And we're singularly focused on school districts, meaning our solutions are tailored to combat the unique threats you face.
When it comes to your school's cybersecurity, it's not just about defending against today’s threats, but also about safeguarding your students' future.
Schedule a demo with Securus360 and take the first step towards a more secure tomorrow for your school district.