SchoolSafety.gov released a new cybersecurity infographic that highlights information on the K-12 cyber threat landscape and strategies and resources school personnel can use to prevent and protect against cyberattacks and digital threats. Learn more below and download and share this new resource with others in the K-12 community.
Cyberattacks on K-12 schools and school districts can expose sensitive and confidential data, disrupt school operations and learning, and have substantial financial impacts. Educational institutions can be a lucrative and vulnerable target for malicious cyber actors because they:
- Maintain extensive amounts of student and staff data and personal information.
- Utilize multiple forms of networking technologies and systems to facilitate learning.
- Often lack resources to put in place a comprehensive cybersecurity program.
How can K-12 schools and school districts protect themselves? There are a number of low-cost and proactive measures that schools and districts can take to minimize exposure to common cyberattacks and strengthen their cybersecurity posture. Some of these strategies include:
- Practicing and providing training to school staff, educators, and students on good cyber hygiene.
- Establishing a cyber incident response plan outlining what should be done before, during, and after a cyber incident, and exercising and testing these plans regularly.
- Staying informed on the cyber risk environment and connecting with K-12 cyber partners who can help provide strategic and cost-efficient cybersecurity actions
For additional cybersecurity resources, visit SchoolSafety.gov’s cybersecurity topic page. If you have any questions, please contact SchoolSafety@hq.dhs.gov.
| ***Content is shared from SchoolSafety.gov |
