K-12 school systems make very attractive targets for cyber criminals. As education has become more digital in nature, the use of mobile devices and smart classroom tools has increased the attack surface available to hackers. At the same time, K-12 networks are especially vulnerable to attacks because most schools spend relatively little time or money on cybersecurity.
Cyber attacks might not be completely avoidable, but there are steps that K-12 leaders can take to reduce the odds of a successful attack and protect their sensitive information. The first step is to understand the nature of the threats they face and where they are most vulnerable.
To enhance this understanding, here are seven cybersecurity facts that every K-12 leader should know — along with recommendations to help districts keep their networks and data secure.