Importance of Cybersecurity Protection in Education

The new school year is an exciting time for parents, students and teachers, but it’s also a popular time for hackers, cybersecurity threats, and identity theft. At surface level, schools don’t seem to be an attractive target for online criminals. However, school systems host a large amount of private and confidential data including contact information, grades, health records, counselor notes and financial records. Before the school year begins, educational institutions should focus on instructing their staff and students on Internet safety and implement policies and risk management strategies to keep their students safe from online threats.  

Tips for School Safety  

• Use multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA is a best practice when it comes to online platforms that require a username and password. Sites that use MFA require their users to use an additional layer of protection by entering a security code sent to their private email or cell phone, a push notification that needs to be accepted or a physical key that needs to be plugged into your computer. This makes it more difficult for bots or hackers to access confidential information hosted on the website. Schools, especially those that offer a portal for tuition payment, should implement MFA to protect their students’ private information. While it can make logging into a website more time consuming, it makes your users’ accounts much safer. 

• Require the use of strong passwords. As school begins, make sure to educate your staff and students on the importance of using a strong, unique password to ensure their online safety. Passwords shouldn’t be used more than once and should contain a mix of alphabets, numbers, and symbols.  
• Protect minors from fraternization. When possible, educational institutions should look into providing school owned laptops and devices to students and staff members. This allows school administration to monitor students’ usage and intercept any inappropriate fraternization between minors and adults. In addition, parents should be educated on proper teacher/student relationships and look out for any signs of potential abuse. School leadership should also host routine seminars that educate staff and students on appropriate behaviors and what to do and who to inform if those boundaries are crossed.   
• Educate parents. It’s critical that parents take concrete steps to protect their child when learning online or using online devices as a part of their education. Schools should consider providing a password protected VPN (virtual private network) that allows students to access their school’s online network from home. Parents should be informed on how to access the VPN and encourage their student to change their passwords frequently and monitor any social media usage within reason.  
• Avoid scams. Scammers are becoming more savvy and often mimic in-network emails such as impersonating school staff through similar email addresses, or sending unsafe links from familiar school affiliated email addresses. Educational institutions should consider implementing online safety courses that educate their staff and students on suspicious online activity.  

If you need help protecting your school and students this coming year, RiskVersity can help you get prepared. Our project-based services allow organizations to implement risk management strategies that are unique to your institution. In addition, our staff will help educate you on best practices and provide step-by-step instructions on reducing cybersecurity risks. Ready to get started? Contact us here!