Keeping K-12 Cybersecure–the newsletter of the K-12 Cybersecurity Resource Center–curates the best cybersecurity and privacy news for K-12 policymakers, administrators, IT professionals, vendors, and privacy advocates. The latest edition (Keeping #K12CyberSecure [#26]: “Is Scary Code Haunting Your District Network?” | October 31, 2019) provides information on recent updates to the K-12 Cyber Incident Map, other additions to the Resource Center, informed commentary, and curated news you can use.
While there’s much more available in the newsletter itself, here’s a sampling of the must-read articles published since last edition:
- While focused on postsecondary education and older students, this piece is thought provoking and worth the read. The authors ask: How do we help students to critically evaluate how their data is used and how to participate in shaping data privacy practices and policies?
- Scammers without ethics, part 124591: New scam targeting parents of Russellville students.
- Can you explain the difference between security, privacy, and confidentiality? Mike Chapple has some advice on how to differentiate these terms in an education context.
- The New York State Comptroller has released another batch of IT-focused audit reports on public school districts in the state, and they reveal a concerning lack of security.
- The Texas Association of School Boards recommends these six cybersecurity resources to help your school district.
- Nominations are now open for the Inaugural Presidential Cybersecurity Education Awards. Note: nominations close on January 31, 2020.
- It’s not just us. More people are starting to grasp the challenge school districts face in managing cybersecurity risks. A recent selection of articles and op-eds:
- Unsuspecting cyber victims – including school districts – are waking up to the need for risk mitigation.
- Local governments should beware ransomware.
- Editorial: Schools face new urgency with online attacks.
- Ransomware: holding communities – and their schools – hostage.
- Town, County, Schools And Private Sector Prepare For Cyberattacks.
- Wouldn’t you know? The ‘ransomware superhero’ of Normal, Illinois got his start hacking his own school district.
- Is this the first (or just the best) education-themed malware name? ‘Silent Librarian’ cyberattackers are switching up tactics in a phishing scheme bent on stealing student credentials.
- Voices from the field: Over on the OpsecEdu blog, Nathan McNulty of Beaverton School District is out with the first two articles in a new series, “Using transport rules as a security tool:” Part 1 and Part 2.
Be sure to check out the full newsletter and sign-up to ensure you get all the latest news direct to your inbox. And, as always, please contact us with any feedback, tips, or suggestions.