Strengthening Cybersecurity in Your School District: Building Safer K12 Digital Ecosystems with Edtech Innovations
)
In today’s digital age, K12 school districts not only face growing threats to campus security and student safety in real life, but also the dangers to cybersecurity like network hacking, phishing and malware, to name a few.
With the increased emphasis on classroom technology, schools are at a higher risk of cyberattacks, data breaches, and other vulnerabilities that could compromise sensitive student and district information.
To address these challenges, districts across the United States are implementing advanced cybersecurity technologies to protect sensitive data, ensure the online privacy of students and staff, and reduce the likelihood of digital threats.
In this article we’re analyzing the growing need for better K12 cybersecurity measures while examining two use cases and offering up a few best practices to remember when implementing cybersecurity solutions in your own district.
The Growing Threat of Cyberattacks in Schools
Cybersecurity in K-12 education is no longer an optional investment. According to the K-12 Cybersecurity Resource Center, schools have experienced a significant rise in cyberattacks over the past few years, with incidents ranging from ransomware attacks to data breaches.
Schools are increasingly becoming targets for hackers due to the vast amount of sensitive data they hold, including student personal information, academic records, and financial data. These attacks not only disrupt learning, but also put student privacy at risk.
As a result, many districts are turning to cybersecurity companies that specialize in protecting schools from modern digital threats. These companies offer a range of solutions, from firewalls and endpoint security to threat detection and response, helping schools maintain a safe and healthy digital environment.
Here, we showcase two FETC 2025 exhibitors whose groundbreaking partnerships with K12 districts establish a new benchmark for industry collaboration.
FETC 2025 Cybersecurity Exhibitors in Action
Palo Alto Networks
Securing Internet Activity at Maine Township High School District 207 in Illinois
Maine Township High School District 207 located in Park Ridge, Illinois, is a prime example of how implementing robust cybersecurity measures can protect a school’s network.
The district partnered with Palo Alto Networks to deploy the company’s Next-Generation Firewall and cloud-based threat prevention solutions. These tools have helped secure the district’s wireless network across its three campuses by filtering web traffic, preventing malware attacks, and analyzing potential threats in real time.
The district’s IT team can now monitor network traffic and block malicious activities before they cause harm. This proactive approach not only keeps the network secure but also improves the district’s compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
By investing in Palo Alto Networks’ technology, Maine Township High School District 207 ensures its students and staff can use the internet safely without fear of cyberattacks.
Fortinet
Preventing Cyber-Intrusion for Kent Intermediate School District in Michigan
The Kent Intermediate School District (Kent ISD) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is responsible for supporting 20 area public school district operations.
This responsibility extends to managing its districts’ IT services, including the maintenance and provision of schools’ Internet connections, wireless network access and online safety.
Facing the growing demand for online learning, Kent ISD has faced several cybersecurity challenges, particularly with outdated firewalls that were difficult to manage and slow to update.
Recognizing the need for a more flexible and modern technology, Kent ISD partnered with Fortinet to implement its FortiGate next-generation firewalls (NGFWs). The FortiGate NGFWs offer robust security with SSL inspection, intrusion prevention, and DDoS protection.
Kent ISD also deployed FortiAnalyzer for better visibility into security events, ensuring reliable, high-performance network protection for its more than 106,000 students.
Now, more than ever, cybersecurity infrastructure measures like those at Kent ISD can protect districts from digital intrusion and online security threats.
Best Practices for Implementing Cybersecurity in Schools
-
Conduct Regular Risk Assessments: Remember to conduct thorough risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities in your networks. This will allow your IT team to prioritize critical needs and allocate resources accordingly.
-
Educate Staff and Students: Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. Provide regular training for staff and students on how to recognize phishing emails, how to use strong passwords, and when to follow best practices for Internet safety.
-
Invest in Comprehensive Solutions: While individual tools like firewalls or endpoint security are important, you should consider adopting a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that includes threat detection, data encryption, and incident response planning. Doing this will ensure all aspects of your network are protected.
-
Stay Compliant with Regulations: Schools are required to comply with various federal and state regulations like the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and CIPA. Implementing cybersecurity solutions that align with these regulations will help you avoid legal complications while safeguarding student data.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Cybersecurity in Education
As K-12 schools continue to integrate technology into their curricula, the need for strong cybersecurity measures will only become greater.
Emerging technologies like smart systems, artificial intelligence and machine learning have the potential to enhance threat detection and provide even more robust protection against cyberattacks.
No matter which cybersecurity solutions you choose, there are endless options available to create and maintain a safe digital learning environment for everyone in your district.
Don’t forget: There’s still time to register for FETC 2025!
All conference registrations include admission to our keynote sessions, networking events and expo hall, including our three specialized pavilions.
Don’t forget to stop by our Cybersecurity Pavilion to explore cutting-edge technologies, tools and strategies to keep your district safe and secure.
Sources
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.paloaltonetworks.in/blog/2016/11/customer-spotlight-school-district-goes-head-class-wireless-network-security/&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1731257489160288&usg=AOvVaw1HC8U7SKdCqrLxeIll4aBG
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.fortinet.com/content/dam/fortinet/assets/case-studies/cs-kent-isd.pdf&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1731257489160957&usg=AOvVaw3lHDunnJ0uFK1u8XmSkcCc
