The education sector is at high risk of data breaches and phishing cyberattacks. The consequences can be severe, particularly when students’ personal information is involved.
Educators need to ensure they store their data securely in order to comply with regulations such as FERPA, COPPA and CIPA. They also need to protect their networks against DDoS attacks, malware and phishing.
The Growing Need for Cybersecurity Education
Cybersecurity threats are a growing concern for many schools and school districts. The most common issues involve unauthorized access to IT systems, data breaches and denial of service attacks.
Preparing for these risks involves establishing and promoting policies on responsible use, storing data securely and creating firewalls. Schools must know how to protect themself from cyberattachs, must also take unique actions before, during and after an incident.
Education leaders face an uphill battle to ensure that students are aware of the potential dangers that come with using technology. A recent survey found that only 18 percent of high schools surveyed offered cybersecurity as a standalone course. That’s a shame, as cybersecurity is a growing field that has a variety of careers and benefits for those who study it.
While the government has taken steps to ensure that schools are protected, cybersecurity needs to be incorporated into every classroom. This can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the curriculum.
If a school offers STEM courses, cybersecurity awareness training could be incorporated into the program to prepare students for the future.
Similarly, schools that offer non-technological degrees should consider including cybersecurity in their academic offerings to help students understand how important it is to protect the privacy and security of their information.
To effectively teach cybersecurity, schools should also leverage modern technologies, to enhance their learning environments. By integrating practical applications of security measures through the enterprise hybrid cloud, students can gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools and frameworks. On the other hand, educators should also focus on increasing their cybersecurity knowledge and skills to effectively teach their students.
With hacks and malware continuing to target educational institutions, it’s more important than ever to include cybersecurity in the curriculum. With the right training, educators can help their students avoid the dangers of online threats and protect themselves from cyberattacks.
Benefits to Students From Learning About Cybersecurity
First and foremost, it helps them stay safe online by teaching them about how to spot malware and other threats. This prevents them from downloading viruses or malware-laden links that could cause their computers to slow down or even crash.
They’ll also learn about the importance of strong passwords and how to use two-step authentication to secure their accounts.
It helps students and teachers understand the impact of a data breach and can also help schools create an emergency response plan and design a security infrastructure that protects their systems and data. This includes identifying potential risks, assessing the impact of an incident, and creating a recovery timeline.
Many colleges and universities are now offering cybersecurity degrees and programs, but prospective students should make sure they choose an accredited program. This is important because it can affect financial aid eligibility and credit transfer options.
They should also consider the program’s concentrations, as these can prepare them for specific careers in the field.
A cybersecurity degree can boost the career prospects of students. The demand for cybersecurity professionals is growing, and a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field can provide them with a competitive edge when seeking employment. The average salary for a cyber security professional is higher than the average salary for other tech jobs.
Introducing Cybersecurity Into the Curriculum
The education system seeks to equip children with the tools they need to thrive in society. In our tech-infused era, that includes basic cybersecurity skills. However, many teachers are not adequately trained to teach them. This is a serious concern for schools, especially since school systems and their employees are soft targets for cyberattacks. A cyberattack in a school can impact everything from student safety to the organization’s bottom line. It can also compromise PII and expose private information to the public.
Hackers are always seeking out new ways to infiltrate educational institutions. They can take advantage of students’ inexperience with online security and target them with phishing emails that lead to ransomware attacks. Hackers can access classroom data by intercepting it while it’s in transit. This means that encrypting data is critical for preventing cyberattacks.
It’s important for schools to implement a cybersecurity program that provides their staff, students, and parents with the necessary tools to stay safe in the digital environment. This should include training and regular updates on the latest threats and vulnerabilities.
It should also cover how to respond in the event of a cyber incident, including what steps to take to limit damage and mitigate risk. It should help them understand how to avoid the most common cybersecurity risks, such as clicking on suspicious links and downloading software from untrustworthy sources.
Preparing Students for the Future
Incorporating cybersecurity programs into school curriculums can help students prepare for the future. They can learn the skills needed to succeed in any field of work, protect their personal information, and help improve national security.
These skills are increasingly important in an era when data cuts across every discipline and cyber threats continue to grow in magnitude and complexity.
Besides providing valuable career pathways, cybersecurity education can also help reduce the risk of cyber attacks on schools.
Academic institutes are frequent targets for ransomware attacks, which can compromise data and cripple classroom functionality, as well as phishing, DDoS, and other types of cyberattacks. Many educators are concerned that their institutions’ networks aren’t secure enough to protect student data and prevent attacks from hackers outside of the school.
Teachers have shared that it’s challenging to inspire students with awareness and concern about topics like cyber hygiene, personal autonomy, and data privacy.
They also struggle to educate their students about the different factors that contribute to an individual’s vulnerability to exploitation and how to avoid these risks in various situations.
As the need for cybersecurity education continues to expand, companies have stepped in to provide educators with training and resources. Educators can receive free training and certifications from industry partners that offer a variety of hands-on, interactive lessons for students of all ages.
These lessons can range from teaching coding fundamentals through Microsoft’s MakeCode block-based language or Python text-based programming to learning about cryptography, encryptions, and cybersecurity.
Final Considerations
The importance of teaching cybersecurity in schools cannot be overstated. As technology continues to evolve and play a larger role in our lives, it is critical that students are educated on the threats and challenges associated with using the internet and digital devices.
Through a comprehensive cybersecurity program, schools can equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect themselves from cybercrimes, such as identity theft, hacking, and cyberbullying.
To this end, schools should implement measures such as mandatory cybersecurity courses, simulations, and experiences that reflect real-world incidents, updated policies and guidelines for technology use, and investing in cybersecurity experts to provide additional training and support to teachers.
