TLDR:
In response to the increasing number of cyberattacks targeting school districts, advocates are calling for the establishment of cybersecurity standards for vendors in the K-12 sector. With school systems storing large amounts of personal data, it is crucial for vendors to have specific assessments, protocols, and practices in place to prevent and respond to cyber threats. Initiatives such as the Global Education Security Standards (GESS) and StateRAMP aim to provide a national standard for K-12 cybersecurity and hold vendors accountable. By implementing these standards, school districts can ensure the protection of student data and reduce the burden of evaluating vendors’ cybersecurity practices.
As schools face a cybersecurity ‘Wild West,’ advocates urge the establishment of cybersecurity standards for K-12 vendors to prevent cyberattacks.
- School districts are frequent targets of cyberattacks, with an estimated one school system being compromised per day.
- Cybersecurity advocates highlight the importance of having specific assessments, protocols, and practices in place to prevent and respond to cyber threats.
School districts are frequent targets of cyberattacks, facing an estimated one breach per day. These attacks often succeed due to the lack of cybersecurity standards among K-12 vendors. The K12 Security Information Exchange is pushing for widely adopted cybersecurity standards to protect school systems from cyber threats. Initiatives like the Global Education Security Standards (GESS) and StateRAMP are working towards establishing national standards for K-12 cybersecurity. By implementing these standards, school districts can ensure the protection of student data and reduce the burden of evaluating vendors’ cybersecurity practices. Overall, the goal is to create a more secure environment for schools in the face of increasing cyber threats.