2. Set strict guidelines and policies. As an elementary step toward protecting sensitive data, your IT staff must set clear usage policies and strictly enforce compliance with them. For example, you might require teachers to use school-issued smartphones that have security software installed. You’ll want to also closely monitor how students and staff use new products or apps, both on and off the school’s network. For example, one of our high school district customers issues a comprehensive policy for staff that outlines regulations for how technology should be used responsibly to support their teaching programs. The district also has an acceptable technology use document that students and parents are required to review and sign annually. Another one of our customers requires IT staff to talk face-to-face to with each seventh-grader before providing them with a district-issued device.
3. Backup sensitive data. With ransomware attacks on the rise, school districts should perform regular backups of all critical information to limit the impact of data or system loss. Ideally, this should be kept on a separate device and stored offline. One of our customers recommends performing full and incremental backups regularly using Data Domain for disk-based backups or SysCloud for the Google cloud environment.
4. Build an incident-response playbook. More schools and IT departments are integrating cybercrime response into their school’s crisis plan so that students and staff can be educated and prepared if and when a crisis occurs. These plans should serve as living documents that include initial response proposals as well as long-term plans.
5. Foster digital citizenship education. Teachers and parents must work together to highlight and enforce the 9 Pillars of Digital Citizenship with students. These pillars include information on basic digital literacy, rights and responsibilities, online safety awareness, password protection and appropriate usage. Not only should these guidelines be embedded into curriculum alongside technology use, but schools should also encourage constant dialogue with parents and students about the importance of being a good digital citizen. We regularly work with schools to kick-start digital citizenship campaigns across the community to help promote positive school culture and responsible technology use.
Seventy-five percent of teachers use technology in their classrooms on a daily basis, but with rapid technology adoption comes potential risks and challenges that cannot be overstated. While K-12 schools will continue to be a top target for cyber threats, focusing on basic cybersecurity practices and investing in the right technology and procedures will help prevent staff, teachers, and students from becoming victims of the next major data breach.