Cybersecurity

Explainer

School Cyberattacks, Explained
Hackers are terrorizing schools with increasingly complex attacks, causing data breaches and more. Here’s what educators need to know.
Photo of high school student in classroom using tablet computers.
E+ / Getty
Classroom Technology Monitoring or Blocking What Students Do Online Poses All Kinds of Problems
Schools need to do a better job examining the downsides of monitoring students online behavior and blocking internet content, says a report.
Arianna Prothero, September 20, 2023
4 min read
Image of lock on binary code background.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Privacy & Security Cybersecurity Is the Top Priority for Ed-Tech Officials. Funding Doesn’t Match the Demand
There is a growing gap between the rising threat of cyberattacks and the lack of state resources to protect schools from those attacks.
Alyson Klein, September 19, 2023
1 min read
Conceptual photo of blue locks and red locks that are "unlocked" and each placed in a honeycomb grid.
BlackJack3D/Getty
Privacy & Security 7 Data Breaches That Left Schools in the Lurch
K-12 schools are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Lauraine Langreo, August 17, 2023
3 min read
Conceptual illustration of computer with a pixelated lock on screen.
Nanzeeba Ibnat/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Privacy & Security Schools Are a Top Target of Ransomware Attacks, and It's Getting Worse
Eighty percent of school IT professionals reported that their schools were hit by ransomware in the last year, according to a Sophos survey.
Lauraine Langreo, August 17, 2023
3 min read
Special Report Cybersecurity
Getty
Privacy & Security Biden Administration Announces Cybersecurity Initiative for K-12 Schools
K-12 schools have become a big target for hackers in recent years and the cyberattacks are more sophisticated than ever.
Lauraine Langreo, August 7, 2023
4 min read
Illustration of cloud computing and lock.
iStock / Getty Images Plus
Privacy & Security Newly Proposed Grants Could Help Districts Extinguish a Cybersecurity '4-Alarm Fire'
School districts could apply for grants to protect against the mounting threat of cyberattacks, FCC chairwoman says.
Alyson Klein, July 12, 2023
5 min read
Monochromatic image of items on a teacher's desk, with vivid color on an apple and a plant.
Laura Baker/Education Week and Irina Strelnikova/iStock/Getty
Teaching Q&A How a Teacher Went From Teaching English to Teaching Cybersecurity
A high school cybersecurity teacher discusses why she switched subject areas and how they are similar.
Lauraine Langreo, June 28, 2023
3 min read
Photo of instructor giving lesson.
E+ / Getty
Privacy & Security Schools Need to Practice Cyberattack Defense 'Like Fire Drills'
Three experts discuss what district leaders can do to ensure students and staff are using digital tools safely.
Lauraine Langreo, June 27, 2023
2 min read
 abstract digital key with technology interface, cybersecurity, key, lock, cellphone, fingerprint, and cloud computing icons
iStock/Getty Images Plus
Privacy & Security K-12 Tech Leaders Don’t Feel Prepared for Cyberattacks
New survey suggests that K-12 technology leaders are still struggling to figure out how to solve cybersecurity problems.
Lauraine Langreo, May 22, 2023
5 min read
Silhouette of a hacker in a hoodie using laptop with binary code overlay.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
Ed-Tech Policy Schools Are Major Targets of Cyberattacks. A Bipartisan Effort in Congress Aims to Help
There have been 1,619 publicly disclosed K-12 cyberattacks between 2016 and 2022.
Lauraine Langreo, April 20, 2023
3 min read
Senior Brings Rain Demaray works on a computer during a Senior Seminar Class at New Town High School. The course is aimed at having seniors become Choice Ready, a North Dakota state initiative.
North Dakota adopted computer science and cybersecurity standards in 2019. Students must study either cybersecurity or computer science to graduate.
Kristina Barker for Education Week
Curriculum Should Cybersecurity Be a Graduation Requirement? This State Thinks So
North Dakota is requiring all students to study either cybersecurity or computer science content to graduate.
Alyson Klein, April 17, 2023
3 min read
Hacker attack and data breach, information leak and cybersecurity concept.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
Curriculum Biden Team Spotlights How Cybersecurity Education Can Help Protect Democracy
Cybersecurity education can help kids land high-paying jobs with a public service focus, a panel convened by the Biden administration said.
Alyson Klein, April 11, 2023
3 min read
Image of a security symbol on a laptop.
filo/DigitalVision Vectors
Ed-Tech Policy 'Cybersecurity Is Huge.' Educators Make the Case for More Federal Funding
Major education organizations have told the FCC that they want to use E-rate dollars for advanced internet security firewalls.
Alyson Klein, February 16, 2023
3 min read
underground cyber security hologram with digital shield 3D rendering
iStock/Getty Images
Privacy & Security It Takes an Entire District to Prevent a Cyberattack: 5 Tips
One of the biggest challenges in making cybersecurity policies work is getting everyone engaged.
Lauraine Langreo, February 15, 2023
3 min read