What Cybersecurity Defense Looks Like for School Districts

The Woodland Hills School District in North Braddock, Pennsylvania has been a victim of a cyberattack, which resulted in the theft of sensitive information including financial data and student personal identifiable information.

Cybercriminals target schools due to the lack of dedicated cybersecurity personnel and limited budget and staffing, making it an easy target. Schools also have a wealth of financial and personally identifiable information that can be stolen.

The district was hit with a cyberattack about a year before Johnathan Kim joined as the director of technology in 2022. The attack compromised all systems, including backups, and resulted in significant disruption to school operations during the pandemic when remote learning became more prevalent.

To enhance cybersecurity, Kim implemented two-factor authentication and removed local admin rights from staff computers. He emphasized the importance of educating oneself on cybersecurity best practices and communicating effectively with teachers and other stakeholders to make necessary changes.

Common cybersecurity mistakes in schools include lack of dedicated cybersecurity personnel, inadequate staffing and budget, and poor security protocols.

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