Categories: K12LeadersCybersecuritySafer Ed

Cybersecurity in K12 Education

Table of Contents

For this episode of Safer Ed, special guests Frankie Jackson and Jeff Angle join us to discuss K12 Cybersecurity.

The conversation begins by defining some cybersecurity challenges and threats to school data and information technology structures. From typical fishing cybersecurity attacks to the kind of vulnerable data, this conversation provides a great baseline for cybersecurity in K20.

Jeff and Frankie provide insight into the diversification of cyber attacks, the factors and points of failure across K12, and the risk associated with unprotected data.

Creating K12 Cybersecurity Success

In the second part of the episode, the trio discusses the effects of distance learning on cybersecurity and frameworks for cybersecurity success. As Jeff points out, the financial loss accumulated during the pandemic cybersecurity attacks was nearly 10X greater than in pre-pandemic learning.

A major key discussed in this conversation is the development of a culture and practice of cybersecurity. The challenges of establishing great cybersecurity hygiene are resources, funding, training, and leadership.

The Loss of Trust in K12 Cybersecurity Breaches

As Frankie, Jeff, and James discuss throughout the conversation, there is an incomparable loss of trust due to a cybersecurity breach. Parents are invested not only in protecting their students but in protecting their investment in their schools. The importance of proper cybersecurity is communal trust in schools.

Advice for all CTOs

Overall, this conversation sets a great groundwork for school districts to assess, bolster, and create scaffolding for cybersecurity. To close out the show, Frankie and Jeff give some necessary advice to all K12 CTOs.

Frankie’s advice for all CTOs

Adopt a framework
Creates assessment
Hire a 3rd party to evaluate your program

Jeff’s advice for all CTOs

Educate staff and students on single points of failure for cybersecurity breaches.
Don’t forget the physical component- protect your computers.

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EdCircuit Staff: Author

edCircuit is a mission-based organization entirely focused on the K-20 EdTech Industry and emPowering the voices that can provide guidance and expertise in facilitating the appropriate usage of digital technology in education. Our goal is to elevate the voices of today’s innovative thought leaders and edtech experts. Subscribe to receive notifications in your inbox

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Frankie Jackson: Author

Frankie Jackson is a former K-12 CTO for 25+ years. She has worked as an assistant superintendent and CTO for one of the largest K-12 school districts in the nation. Frankie serves on CoSN’s policy committee, CoSN’s advisory board for driving K-12 innovation, CoSN’s advanced professional development committee, and CoSN’s cybersecurity committee. Additionally, she is a facilitator for CoSN’s IT project management for school systems leaders’ course and CoSN’s Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL) program. Frankie serves the Association for School Business Officials and Texas ASBO as a subject matter expert, mentor, and chair of the Information Technology certification programs.

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Jeff Angle: Author

A W. P. Carey School of Business – Arizona State University faculty member and marketing futurist, asking for the next “what if”? What if the right people can change education? What if technology can shorten the distance to a new future? A natural communicator with a sharp focus on leading and motivating cross-functional teams in executing a strategic vision to achieve business objectives.

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Science Safety: Author

With an expansive catalog of over 250 Safer courses, modules, and pathways, and verifiable certificates Science Safety’s comprehensive digital academy, the Safer Platform, empowers schools, organizations and industry to build a culture of safety with Safer Science, Safer STEM, Safer CTE, Safer Arts, Safer Cyber and Safer Lab training.

Learn more at: Science Safety

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EdCircuit Staff and Frankie Jackson and Jeff Angle and Science Safety

edCircuit is a mission-based organization entirely focused on the K-20 EdTech Industry and emPowering the voices that can provide guidance and expertise in facilitating the appropriate usage of digital technology in education. Our goal is to elevate the voices of today’s innovative thought leaders and edtech experts. Subscribe to receive notifications in your inbox