Cybercrime 101: Why Schools Are Failing at Data Protection and Putting Kids at Risk
The education sector is an unexpected target for cybercriminals, and kids might be learning about identity theft before high school. As schools become data goldmines, you might want to start teaching your child cybersecurity instead of the alphabet. It’s time for schools to brush up on their data protection skills.
Hot Take:
Who knew that the school bully wouldn’t be Billy from 3rd period, but rather a cybercriminal named Royal with a penchant for swiping Social Security numbers? Turns out, the most dangerous part of school isn’t the cafeteria food but the school’s IT department’s firewall. Maybe it’s time we start teaching ‘Advanced Cyber Defense’ instead of ‘Intro to Algebra.’
Key Points:
- Educational institutions are increasingly becoming targets for cybercriminals, even more so than some high-risk industries.
- There’s been a rise in data breaches in schools, with K-12 students particularly vulnerable to identity theft.
- High-profile incidents like the Tucson Unified School District ransomware attack highlight the severity and reality of these threats.
- Many schools continue to use third-party applications that may inadequately protect student data.
- The education sector reports the least amount of data theft despite rising cybersecurity threats.
Already a member? Log in here