METAA CTO Clinic 2023

School districts have undergone a digital transformation and in so doing introduced themselves to the risk of ransomware, student data breaches, and online fraud and theft. While hundreds – if not thousands – of school districts are victimized by cyber criminals each year - as documented on the K-12 Cyber Incident Map - it is only recently that we’ve been able to paint a picture of the emerging threat landscape facing schools. Given limited resources and the realities of district operations, what can K-12 leaders do to protect their school communities? What roles can superintendents and school boards play? How can K-12 IT leaders prioritize their limited time and resources? As the K-12 sector grapples with these and related issues, the key to protecting school communities will be collective defense. At the conclusion of this session, participants will understand: (a) the scope and variety of cybersecurity risks facing K-12 schools; (b) the most important steps their districts can take to defend against cybersecurity threats; and (c) the importance of engaging the broader K-12 and policy communities in these issues.