Protecting EdTech Investments in Schools

As the new academic year begins, educators face the challenge of balancing lesson planning, classroom setup, and getting to know their students. Amidst this busy season, one critical aspect often gets overlooked: cybersecurity. Educational institutions have become prime targets for cybercriminals, making it essential for educators to understand cloud security risks and adopt best practices to protect themselves and their students.

While this article centers on cloud security training for school educators, the principles discussed are applicable across all eLearning environments and platforms. We will explore why cloud security is vital in education and outline key strategies for safeguarding sensitive data and digital resources.

Why Cloud Security Training Matters in Education

Technology giants have increasingly focused on educational institutions to cultivate lifelong users. Devices like Google Chromebooks and cloud-based services such as Microsoft 365 Education have made technology integration seamless in classrooms. However, with more cloud-connected devices and platforms in use, the security risks have grown significantly.

Here are some critical reasons why cloud security training is now a priority for educators and institutions:

1. Schools Are Prime Targets for Cyberattacks

Cyber threats targeting schools are on the rise. A 2022 study revealed that 80% of schools experienced ransomware attacks, a sharp increase from 56% in 2021. Many of these attacks were unsophisticated, exploiting basic security gaps. Unlike banks and tech firms with robust defenses, educational institutions often lack the necessary safeguards, making them vulnerable. Moreover, schools tend to pay ransom demands to regain access to critical data—a strategy that only encourages further attacks.

2. Protecting Vulnerable Students

Cyberattacks affect not just universities but also K-12 schools, where students are particularly vulnerable. Common attacks include phishing scams, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and disruptions of online classes. The financial damages can range from thousands to millions of dollars, but the educational impact is even more profound—students can lose between three days and three weeks of learning time on average, with full recovery sometimes taking up to nine months.

The stakes are higher given that minors’ personal data is involved. Ensuring the confidentiality and protection of this sensitive information is non-negotiable.

3. Safeguarding Academic Research

At the higher education level, cyberattacks pose threats beyond classroom disruption. They jeopardize proprietary research data, including sensitive information about human research subjects, which must remain confidential. Breaches not only risk violating privacy but also jeopardize funding and reputational integrity.

Building Security Awareness Among Educators

To counter rising threats, educational institutions must adopt a proactive stance on cybersecurity, especially in partnership with cloud service providers. Educators have a pivotal role to play in protecting their digital learning environments. Developing comprehensive security awareness training can empower them to understand and mitigate risks effectively.

Below are essential components to consider when designing such training programs:

1. Device Management as a Service (DMaaS)

DMaaS solutions help schools manage security policies across devices, whether school-owned or student-owned under Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies. According to Michael Shoham, CEO of Radix, which provides device management tools, “Schools are heavily investing in EdTech and must protect these investments through centralized remote management systems.” This ensures consistent enforcement of security protocols regardless of device location.

2. Enforcing Basic Security Practices

Often, robust security begins with simple steps: using strong, unique passwords; implementing multifactor authentication; and regularly updating software. Training should instill these habits in educators and students alike, fostering a culture where security hygiene is second nature.

3. Understanding Compliance Requirements

Educators need to be familiar with laws governing student data privacy. For example, the U.S. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) sets strict rules on protecting student information. Globally, regulations like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) have inspired stricter data privacy standards worldwide. Awareness and compliance with these legal frameworks are essential for schools.

4. Implementing Strong Access Controls

Not all data is created equal—student records and research data require heightened protection. Schools should adopt a zero-trust access model, granting permissions only on a need-to-know basis. Educators must understand how to share data securely and recognize the sensitivity of different information types.

5. Managing Third-Party Risks

Educational institutions often rely on external vendors and cloud service providers. A vendor’s security weaknesses can become a vulnerability for the entire school network. Ensuring that third-party partners adhere to stringent security protocols is critical to eliminating blind spots.

6. Preparing for Incident Response

While prevention is key, breaches can still occur. Educators should be trained on how to respond effectively—knowing how to report suspicious activities, document incidents, and follow established response protocols can mitigate damage and speed recovery.

Conclusion

As educators and schools dive back into their academic routines, prioritizing cloud security training is vital for protecting students, data, and digital infrastructure. By embracing comprehensive security practices, understanding compliance, and fostering a vigilant culture, educational institutions can create safer eLearning environments that support learning without compromise.