Dr. James Crawford is a transformational educational leader with over two decades of experience, dedicated to ensuring every child reaches their full potential. As a superintendent, he spearheaded a community-driven strategic plan and led the passage of a $150 million bond for infrastructure improvements, the first in 19 years. Recognizing the growing importance of digital security, Dr. Crawford has championed proactive cybersecurity practices in education, emphasizing transparency and trust to protect student and staff data. He has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Washington State University and the University of Washington, supporting the development of future educational leaders.
In today’s increasingly digital world, K-12 schools are facing a growing wave of cyberattacks. Ransomware, phishing, and data breaches have become common, and school districts are prime targets. This trend threatens the security of student data and districtwide systems, causing widespread disruption. As districts move to embrace more digital learning platforms and artificial intelligence, the need for comprehensive cybersecurity measures has never been more urgent.
According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), educational institutions are particularly vulnerable because of the sensitive data they store—student records, health information, and even payment data from families. The repercussions of cyberattacks are not just financial; they can disrupt education, compromise personal privacy, and create long-term security risks. This makes cybersecurity a critical issue for school leaders across the country.
The Growing Threat Landscape
Cyberattacks on K-12 schools have surged in recent years. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), reported incidents tripled between 2018 and 2021. Ransomware attacks have disrupted school operations, data breaches have exposed sensitive student and staff information, and phishing schemes have compromised network security.
Across the country, school districts of all sizes have experienced significant disruptions due to ransomware attacks, with some facing recovery costs in the millions. These attacks highlight the increasing vulnerability of K-12 schools, which often operate with limited resources yet store highly sensitive data. Cybercriminals are drawn to these systems, and recent studies show that the average ransom payment for a ransomware attack on a school district exceeds $250,000. For districts already managing tight budgets, the financial and operational impacts of these attacks can be devastating.
Challenges for K-12 Schools
One of the most pressing challenges for K-12 schools is building cybersecurity expertise and increasing access to resources. Many schools face significant budgetary constraints, which often limit their ability to hire dedicated IT security staff. Instead, small IT teams—sometimes consisting of only a few individuals—are tasked with managing extensive networks and thousands of devices. These teams are often stretched thin, leaving school systems more vulnerable to potential cyberattacks.
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that more than 30% of rural districts do not have a dedicated cybersecurity team, and 40% of districts rely on part-time IT staff. Rural and underfunded districts face the greatest challenges, as they struggle to afford even basic cybersecurity protections like firewalls and encryption. These disparities in resources mean that some districts are more vulnerable than others, and the digital divide in cybersecurity is widening.
Adding to this, the rapid shift to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic increased the number of devices connected to school networks and, in turn, increased vulnerabilities. Schools were forced to quickly adopt new technologies without adequate time or resources to vet them for security risks. This rush left many districts with patchwork security systems that are difficult to manage and insufficient to address today’s evolving cyber threats.
The Role of Legislation and Policy
Recognizing the growing threat, states are beginning to introduce laws that mandate cybersecurity standards for K-12 schools. Texas, for example, passed SB 820, which requires school districts to implement cybersecurity policies and designate a cybersecurity coordinator. Similarly, New York’s Education Law 2-D mandates strict data privacy protections and cybersecurity measures for schools. And some states have crafted legislation requiring school districts to implement cybersecurity measures as part of their overall risk management plans.
Legislation like this is critical to ensuring that schools have a baseline level of protection. Bills like these seek to establish minimum cybersecurity standards, create a centralized support center for schools, and provide grants to underfunded districts. Legislation like this will help ensure that all schools, regardless of their financial situation, can safeguard student and staff data. These laws not only set minimum standards for security practices but also create accountability frameworks that require schools to report cyber incidents and remediate weaknesses. By providing structured support, including centralized resources and grant programs, legislation can help bridge the cybersecurity gap for underfunded districts.
Proactive Measures for Schools
While legislation is crucial, schools don’t have to wait for new laws to start protecting their networks. There are several proactive steps schools can take to improve their cybersecurity defenses, even with limited resources. These include:
Staff training: The first line of defense in any organization is its people. Schools should regularly train staff to recognize phishing emails, suspicious attachments, and other potential threats. Cybersecurity awareness training can significantly reduce the risk of human error, which is one of the most common entry points for attackers. Policy and training can include: phishing awareness training, access control policies, incident response plans, data encryption, and user behavior monitoring.
Network security basics: Implementing firewalls, encryption, and multifactor authentication can provide essential layers of protection for school networks. Schools can also prioritize regularly updating software and systems to ensure they are protected against the latest vulnerabilities. Other technical measures include: endpoint detection and response (EDR), firewall configuration, network segmentation, regular patching and updates, secure cloud storage, backup systems, multi-factor authentication, virtual protections networks, regular password updates.
Collaboration and Support: Given the necessary infrastructure and current levels of in-district supports, collaborating with outside institutions can provide an additional layer of safety. Districts can conduct a third-party risk assessment, apply for cybersecurity grants, access shared IT resources with partner districts or regional organizations, partner with local universities and colleges, and secure cybersecurity insurance.
By implementing a combination of these strategies, K-12 schools can significantly enhance their defenses against cyber threats while building a culture of cybersecurity awareness.
The Future of Cybersecurity in Education
As digital learning becomes an increasingly important part of education, the cybersecurity risks facing schools will only grow. Schools must continue to invest in cybersecurity tools and training, while also advocating for policies that support long-term protection. This includes zero-trust architecture, a model where every access request is verified, regardless of its origin, and domain name system (DNS) filtering to prevent access to malicious websites.
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education also raises new security concerns. While AI can provide valuable tools for personalized learning and operational efficiency, it can also introduce new vulnerabilities. Schools will need to consider how AI systems are secured and ensure that any technology adopted in the future aligns with best cybersecurity practices. Currently, there are AI and machine learning tools to detect and respond to threats in real-time.
Cybersecurity is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for ensuring the safety and continuity of education in the digital age. As schools navigate this new frontier, collaboration between educators, policymakers, and cybersecurity professionals will be key to creating a safer, more resilient education system.
As K-12 schools continue to embrace digital tools and online learning, cybersecurity must be treated as a priority. By understanding the risks, adopting proactive measures, and supporting legislative efforts, schools can better protect their students, staff, and data. The time to act is now.