There are several measures that you could take to protect your learning institution’s data, but we’re not going to give you a full comprehensive IT guide today. No, instead we’re going to:
- give you a brief overview of the common threats out there,
- explain why it’s important (of course),
- and give you some action items your staff can implement starting today to strengthen your cybersecurity.
As IT specialists, we could talk your ear off about cybersecurity for schools and what to watch for, so if you’d like to speak in more detail the team is here for it! But until then, let’s explore current cybersecurity best practices.
The Most Common Cybersecurity Threats to Student Data
To be clear, there are MANY threats present daily. And they are ever-evolving as criminals get more underhanded with their attempts to steal your school’s and students’ information. These are things to really watch for behind the scenes with your campus technology:
Phishing attacks. These are an unbelievably prevalent threat to student data. These attacks often involve deceptive emails or messages that trick students or staff into revealing sensitive information, such as login credentials or personal details. Cybercriminals then use this information to gain unauthorized access to systems and data.
Data breaches are another concern for our educational clients. Now, these occur when unauthorized individuals gain access to sensitive student information stored in databases. These breaches can result from weak security measures ranging from poor password practices to unpatched software vulnerabilities, allowing online criminals to exploit these IT weaknesses.
Malware includes things like viruses, worms, and ransomware, and poses a significant risk to student data. Once a device is infected, malware can steal, corrupt, or encrypt data, making it inaccessible until a ransom is paid! Educational institutions are particularly vulnerable due to the large number of devices and users connected to their networks.
Unsecured networks, especially if you have public Wi-Fi on campus, can be a gateway for hackers to intercept data transmitted between students’ devices and educational servers. Without proper encryption and security protocols, sensitive information like login credentials and personal data can be easily captured by malicious actors.
Outdated software and systems are another IT vulnerability for schools. If you fail to regularly update and patch software, you may leave your systems exposed to known exploits and security flaws. This provides an easy entry point for cyber attackers to access student data.
The Why Behind Staying on Top of Safeguarding School Data
In addition to federal and state laws, educational institutions must also adhere to industry standards and best practices for data protection. One of the primary legal frameworks governing the protection of student data is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA sets strict guidelines on the disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII) from student records without consent. Educational institutions must ensure that they have robust measures in place to comply, including secure data storage and controlled access to student information.
For example, the September 2023 Hillsborough County School District cybersecurity breach. In this case~, the school superintendent stated:
“The district’s monitoring systems effectively prevented widespread disruption. Additionally, we took offline a number of our network connected systems as a preventative measure. Our Information Technology Services division, along with external experts and consultants, worked tirelessly to restore full function to our core operational systems and collect additional data for further investigation. The forensic investigation continues as we determine more about how this incident occurred and identify what data, if any, was accessed from HCPS systems… At this point in the forensic review, we have no indication that there was any unauthorized access to data stored in our student information system.”
Ron Sanders, the former staff director at the Florida Center for Cybersecurity, added when speaking with local FOX 13 that public entities like Hillsborough County Schools are often prime targets for hackers.
It’s true, these breaches are real and happening at stunning levels at schools and college campuses.
Remember: Implementing strong encryption methods, conducting regular security audits, and providing ongoing cybersecurity training for staff and students is important. When following these guidelines, schools can better safeguard student data and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
Cybersecurity Measures We Currently Recommend
As promised, here are some actions you can start now:
- Secure Your Networks: Protect wireless networks with strong passwords and advanced encryption methods. You may want to also consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). From there, your remote IT team can regularly update network device firmware for an added layer of security.
- Regularly Backup Data: Click the backup button! It helps to have all student data routinely backed up to secure locations. (Trust us, this serves as a crucial safety net in the event of data loss or a cyberattack.)
- Maintain a Strong Security Culture: Tell a friend about this article and educate the team on cybersecurity best practices. Do your part to create a security-first mindset.
- Identify High-Risk Areas: Be vigilant about the devices and environments that pose the highest risk, such as laptops, mobile devices, and public Wi-Fi networks when logging into school systems.
Call in IT specialists for more robust steps to protect student personal information, like these suggestions:
- Implement Strong Encryption Protocols: Use state-of-the-art encryption to secure sensitive student data. Encryption tools like AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) can offer robust protection against data breaches.
- Invest in High-Quality Antivirus Solutions: Top-tier antivirus software provides a layer of defense against malware, ransomware, and other common cyber threats. Our regular updates ensure ongoing protection.
- Secure Remote Work Environments: With the rise of remote learning and work, an IT expert can help ensure that encryption methods are in place to protect sensitive information from being intercepted during transmission.
Protecting Student Data
The security breaches in education from preschool to universities are staggering. They highlight the ongoing need for educational institutions to implement stronger data protection measures and regularly update their cybersecurity protocols. Safeguarding student data is not just a responsibility—it’s a necessity.
By adopting these cybersecurity measures, you can significantly reduce the risks and ensure a safe learning environment for all. Don’t wait until it’s too late; start implementing these IT solutions today. The Sterling Ideas IT team is here to help.
~Breaches occur in schools all the time, but being based in Florida, we opted to share a more local example.