Four Cybersecurity Action Steps for K-12 Schools and Districts

In recent years, kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) educational institutions have been an increasingly frequent target for cyberattacks. These attacks can impact a school’s ability to carry out its educational obligations, protect sensitive student and staff data, and provide a safe and secure learning environment for our nation’s youth. Defending against cyber threats is a critical priority for the K-12 community that requires a whole-of-school approach. 

This October, The Department of Homeland Security is recognizing Cybersecurity Awareness Month in conjunction with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and other organizations across the country. This year’s campaign theme – “See Yourself in Cyber” – demonstrates that while cybersecurity may seem like a complex subject, ultimately, it’s really all about people.

Everyone in the school community can ‘see themselves in cyber’ by taking action to stay safe online. That means supporting basic cyber hygiene practices through four key action steps: 

1)   Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication

2)   Using Strong Passwords

3)   Recognizing and Reporting Phishing

4)   Updating Your Software

This  infographic outlines additional details on these four action steps and how schools and districts can put them into practice. For additional information on cybersecurity and school safety, please visit SchoolSafety.gov or contact our team at SchoolSafety@hq.dhs.gov.