There’s a lot to love about K-12 classroom technology. Thanks to an array of dynamic digital tools, like tablets, laptops, and interactive displays, teachers can engage students, offer personalized learning opportunities and improve the acquisition of skills.
From an IT perspective, however, connected devices raise concerns about security, as each device added to your network can create a new doorway for bad actors to exploit. Unfortunately, many are doing just that. U.S. schools experienced 1,619 cyber incidents between 2016 and 2022, and 2023 saw an alarming 70% surge in ransomware attacks in the education sector. That makes remote management and monitoring important to establishing device security in schools.
The big picture: Your school’s connected network
In many of today’s primary and secondary schools, the connected network of devices goes far beyond desktop computers and local servers. It includes any device that’s connected to the school’s Wi-Fi network — from students’ and teachers’ laptops, tablets and cellular phones to secondary devices like printers, scanners and interactive displays, such as the Samsung WAD Interactive Display. Cloud-based administrative systems, such as learning management systems and other software tools are also part of the network. So, too, is the Internet of Things (IoT) in schools.
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Mitigating cybersecurity risks and preserving connected classroom security in this atmosphere means taking a big-picture approach to understanding and managing your network of different devices. It also means training those who use the network — teachers, administrators and students — in the best practices for averting cyber threats.
Solutions for device security in schools
A teacher receives an email that purports to be from an administrator, asking for personal information or credentials, but it’s actually a phishing scam. Students enter email addresses and sensitive contact information on a website. An interactive display or smart board is connected and left unsecured, allowing a hacker to gain unauthorized access to the network through the device.
Every endpoint can become a doorway for cybersecurity risks, but school IT departments can take precautions to block those entryways and minimize threats. Here are six security solutions that are part of a robust cybersecurity strategy for K-12 networks.
1. Endpoint detection and response
An endpoint detection and response (EDR) system provides continuous monitoring of all connected endpoints, including smart boards, tablets, laptops and servers. The software applies analytics to incoming data to detect potential threats and trigger alerts if malicious behavior is observed on the network. Some EDR systems can provide instant, automated responses to contain threats — for example, shutting down a device infected with malware or blocking traffic on the network deemed suspicious. EDR can provide deep visibility into your network, allowing you to manage all endpoints from a central system.
2. Network access control
Network access control (NAC) is crucial for maintaining secure K-12 networks. It guards your network from unauthorized users by only permitting devices that are authorized and meet adequate security standards to log on. Administrators can program NAC with defined security policies and standards for entering the network, such as updating antivirus software and encrypting data — helping to halt unsecured endpoints from joining.
3. Firewalls
A firewall provides a buffer between your school’s local network and the internet, examining and filtering traffic based on pre-defined standards. Firewalls are often the first line of defense against malicious attacks, helping to recognize and block malware, viruses and ransomware from entering your network. They can also detect and filter inappropriate content.
4. Device management tools
Powerful device management tools, such as Samsung device management and mobility software, help you oversee all connected devices on your school’s network. Device management solutions monitor device health and empower IT teams to troubleshoot problems remotely, track usage, filter content, configure devices and push out software updates and security controls.
5. Antivirus software
Like firewalls, antivirus software is a bedrock component of any successful K-12 cybersecurity strategy because it’s designed to scan network activity, detect possible threats and take action to stop malware and viruses in their tracks. It can be a separate solution or folded into another tool, such as a device management solution.
6. Security training
While software tools are important pieces of the K-12 cybersecurity puzzle, they won’t work unless you train teachers, administrators and students to be alert to cyber threats and interact with connected devices responsibly. Provide regular training sessions for students, reminding them not to share sensitive personal information online and teaching them to recognize and report online dangers, such as phishing attempts. Training should never be one-and-done, either, as new threats and schemes constantly emerge. Indeed, educating teachers, students and staff members on security best practices significantly minimizes risks. In fact, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2022, 95% of all cybersecurity breaches were due to human error.
Prepare and act
With sensitive student information stored on servers and so many children using connected devices, it’s imperative to protect K-12 networks from cyber threats. The good news? When you implement effective solutions and take time to train staff and students on cybersecurity best practices, you can minimize risks to your school’s network and ensure everyone in your district is prepared to interact responsibly with the digital world.
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