ERIC Number: EJ1440965
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: N/A
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1540-8000
EISSN: N/A
Shielding Student Data: The Critical Role of State Boards in K-12 Cybersecurity
Reg Leichty
State Education Standard, v24 n3 2024
Elementary and secondary schools increasingly face an onslaught of ransomware and other cyberattacks, which jeopardize sensitive data and the integrity of their digital infrastructure. The consequences of these attacks can be severe and costly, eroding community trust, disrupting learning, and permanently damaging equipment. The alarming scope and sometimes staggering costs of K-12 cyberattacks have captured the attention of law enforcement agencies, prompting government agencies and nongovernmental entities to document the problem more systematically. As the threat continues to evolve, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the MultiState Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) collaborated on a joint Cybersecurity Advisory in 2022. The advisory detailed the nature of the threat to K-12 schools, stating, "Impacts from these attacks have ranged from restricted access to networks and data, delayed exams, canceled school days, and unauthorized access to and theft of personal information regarding students and staff." This article examines why the cybersecurity challenge schools face is complex and evolving, requiring a concerted effort from local, state, and federal stakeholders. Also why state boards have a vital role to play in raising awareness, fostering collaboration, and implementing policies that prioritize the security of student data and school networks.
Descriptors: Elementary Secondary Education, Computer Security, State Boards of Education, Role Theory, Data, Privacy, Computer Networks, Government School Relationship, Educational Legislation, Federal Legislation
National Association of State Boards of Education. 2121 Crystal Drive Suite 350, Arlington, VA 22202. Tel: 800-368-5023; Tel: 703-684-4000; Fax: 703-836-2313; e-mail: boards@nasbe.org; Web site: https://www.nasbe.org/category/the-standard/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A