Schools expand cybersecurity training |
School districts are increasingly treating cybersecurity training as a core part of operations as cloud-based learning systems create growing risks tied to phishing, ransomware, and everyday user behavior. Ransomware attacks against K-12 schools jumped 92% between 2022 and 2023, while phishing attempts continue targeting teachers, students, and administrators through email, collaboration platforms, and classroom applications. Experts said technical protections alone are no longer enough because many breaches originate from human error. Cybersecurity specialists warned that many educators mistakenly assume cloud providers are fully responsible for protecting school data, creating gaps in accountability as districts rely more heavily on SaaS platforms, learning management systems, and digital tools. In response, schools are increasingly introducing recurring phishing simulations, tabletop exercises, micro-training modules, and digital citizenship programs. Experts said training should be tailored by role, with administrators focusing on ransomware response and sensitive data management, teachers learning how to recognize phishing attempts and secure cloud documents, and students receiving age-appropriate online safety instruction.
