Some K-12 public schools are rushing to improve protection against the risk of online attacks, but negligence in cybersecurity means thousands of others are vulnerable to gangs threatening to steal data and disrupt their operations.
See also: Pulaski County Public School victim of cyberattacks
Since the White House briefing in August on ransomware, dozens of school districts have signed up for free cybersecurity services, while federal officials have held exercises with schools to help them learn how to better secure their networks, said Anne Neuberger, the Biden administration's deputy assistant secretary for national cybersecurity and new technology.
Neuberger said more schools need to take advantage of available programs that will better protect them from cyberattackers who are increasingly targeting schools, whose goal is to lock down computer systems and, in some cases, steal and publish sensitive personal information if a ransom is not paid.
The administration announced measures over the summer to help financially struggling schools that have been slow to bolster their cyber. Ransomware attackers, many of them based in Russia, not only forced schools to temporarily close but also exposed a wealth of students’ personal information.
More than 9,000 small public school districts across the United States with up to 2,500 students — about 70% of public districts in the country — are now eligible for free cybersecurity services from web security company Cloudflare, through a new program called Project Cybersafe Schools, Neuberger said. As of August, about 140 districts in 32 states have signed up for the program, which provides free email security and other protection from online threats, she said.
James Hatz, technology coordinator for Rush City Public Schools in Minnesota, says the program arrived on time for his district, quickly stopping 100 suspicious emails before they reached staff. Hatz says cybercriminals often try to get teachers to click on malicious links by pretending to be an administrator sharing documents about topics like salary increases.
See also: JeffCo: Public school likely victim of cyberattack
Neuberger also said that a $20 million grant program from Amazon Web Services, designed to help schools improve their cybersecurity, has received about 130 applications.
The Federal Communications Commission has also proposed a pilot program that would provide up to $200 million over three years to strengthen cybersecurity in schools and libraries. Neuberger said they hope the funds will be available to schools in the “near future.”.
However, Doug Levin, director of the K12 Security Information eXchange, a Virginia-based nonprofit that helps schools address cybersecurity risks, expressed fears that attacks against schools will continue to increase in both frequency and severity without more federal support and requirements for basic cybersecurity controls in schools.
Educating students and staff about cybersecurity is crucial to protecting the digital security of schools. School authorities can organize educational programs and events to raise awareness among students and staff about cyberattacks and the basic principles of cybersecurity. This can be done through presentations, seminars, and training programs that focus on topics such as password security , identifying malware, and avoiding spam emails
Additionally, school authorities can provide educational materials and resources on cybersecurity, such as information leaflets, websites and educational videos. These materials can be distributed to students and staff, offering clear instructions and advice on how to navigate the internet safely and protect their personal information.
See also: National Student Clearinghouse: Data breach affects 890 schools
Additionally, school authorities can partner with cybersecurity experts to provide specialized training. Experts can present seminars and training programs that are tailored to the needs of schools and can provide specific advice on how to deal with cyberattacks. Partnering with experts can strengthen cybersecurity in schools and provide reliable information and strategies for protecting school networks and devices.
Source: eastidahonews
