WASHINGTON (AP) — Some K-12 public schools are racing to improve protection against the threat of online attacks, but lax cybersecurity means thousands of others are vulnerable to ransomware gangs that can steal confidential data and disrupt operations.
Neuberger said more districts need to take advantage of programs available that would better guard against online attackers who are increasingly targeting schools.
The administration announced steps over the summer to help cash-strapped schools, which have been slow to build up cybersecurity defenses.
Since August, roughly 140 districts in 32 states have signed up for the program, which provides free email security and other online threat protection, she said.
James Hatz, technology coordinator for Rush City Public Schools in Minnesota, said the program arrived just in time for their district, quickly stopping 100 suspicious emails from getting to staff.
Persons:
Anne Neuberger, Neuberger, “ Don’t, —, James Hatz, Hatz, cybercriminals, ” Hatz, Doug Levin, Levin, ”
Organizations:
WASHINGTON, Clark County School District, Minneapolis Public Schools, — that's, Cybersafe Schools, Rush City Public Schools, Amazon Web Services, Federal Communications Commission, K12
Locations:
Russia, Nevada, United States, Minnesota, Virginia