SUBSCRIBE FOR ONLY $16.99!

On the Frontlines: How Teachers Can Help Defend Against Ransomware

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, March/April 2021 Issue

By Adam Stone

Mobile County School District in Alabama. Houston County Board of Education in Georgia. Guthrie Public Schools in Oklahoma. What do they all have in common?

They are among the latest K–12 organizations to be hit by ransomware attacks, according to the most recent Armor Threat Intelligence Briefing. The report found that over 500 K–12 schools in the U.S. have potentially been impacted by ransomware attacks since January 2019.

The pace of such attacks has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the rapid shift to remote learning has opened up new vulnerabilities. The FBI and the U.S. Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency have warned K–12 schools to be on guard.

In August and September of last year, 57 percent of ransomware incidents involved K–12 schools, compared to 28 percent of all reported ransomware incidents from January through July, the agencies note. “Cyber actors likely view schools as targets of opportunity, and these types of attacks are expected to continue through the 2020/2021 academic year,” the agencies warn.

In a ransomware attack, malicious software is inserted into a system, encrypting all data and rendering the system effectively inaccessible. Attackers then demand a ransom for the key to decrypt the data.

The IT shop typically is responsible for defending against such attacks. But with K–12 schools increasingly being targeted, there are steps classroom teachers can take to safeguard systems and help their schools to avoid falling prey to such incursions.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $15.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .

Adam Stone is a seasoned journalist with 20+ years’ experience. He covers education, technology, government, and the military, along with diverse other topics.

Education News

Supporting the Next Generation of AI-Native Learners

The question is no longer should students use AI, but rather: What skills do we equip students with to prepare them for a future where AI is a part of their life?

New Book Offers the First Comprehensive History of Sex Ed in America

Sex ed in schools is about much more than just health. It’s about reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender equity—and it matters now more than ever.

American Lung Association Urges Schools to Test for Radon to Protect Students and Staff

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, tasteless, and colorless radioactive gas that can accumulate indoors, including in schools.

NASSP Launches New Online Course to Help Principals Build Career-Connected Learning 

Designed by and for school leaders, the course provides a step-by-step framework to help principals create career-connected learning experiences using their existing teams and resources.

Join Our Newsletter

Join now for a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 Indigo e-gift cards this month!

Adam Stone
Adam Stone
Adam Stone is a seasoned journalist with 20+ years’ experience. He covers education, technology, government, and the military, along with diverse other topics.

Advertisement

Read More

Supporting the Next Generation of AI-Native Learners

The question is no longer should students use AI, but rather: What skills do we equip students with to prepare them for a future where AI is a part of their life?

Break the Ice: The Ultimate Back-to-School Toolkit

Here are six simple icebreaker activities, as recommended by K–12 educators, that are sure to help make this back-to-school season your best one yet.

How to Tame a Chaotic School Cafeteria: 7 Tips for Managing Lunchroom Behavior

Let’s face it—most staff don’t willingly volunteer for cafeteria duty. But with a few thoughtful tweaks, lunch doesn’t have to be the noisiest, most dreaded 30 minutes of the day.

New Book Offers the First Comprehensive History of Sex Ed in America

Sex ed in schools is about much more than just health. It’s about reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender equity—and it matters now more than ever.

American Lung Association Urges Schools to Test for Radon to Protect Students and Staff

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, tasteless, and colorless radioactive gas that can accumulate indoors, including in schools.

Professional and Present: Creating Healthy Boundaries in Your First Year of Teaching

Early in your teaching career, there are many areas in which you should consider establishing boundaries. Here are three that should be at the top of your list.
jack party casino | hipódromo y casino de sunland park | casinospel gratis slots | slot machine jackpot | ropa de casino para mujeres | juegos tradicionales de mexico | 7 casino | ruleta biologia | casino studio | cuando gira la ruleta michael pelayo | bellagio hotel & casino | strendus deportes | ganabet bono $400 casino | casino hotel | como ganar dinero viajando en furgoneta | cuantos números hay en la ruleta | yak casino cerca de mi | bono sin depósito casino méxico | casino ilusion | carritos montables tragamonedas venta | the cromwell las vegas hotel & casino | juegos pum | casino new york | spin casino bono | caliente app | ruleta para turnos | barona casino | ruleta que diga sí o no | ruleta para decidir | casino miravalle | ruleta de verdad o reto para amigos | casino blackjack online | calientecasimo app | casino de la feria | casino lincoln | orus casino manzanillo | fruity slots | casino ilusion | app para ganar dinero jugando | gana777 casino | ruleta rusa juego virtual | ruleta para decidir | aplicaciones para ganar dinero kwai | clover casino | strendus deportes | casino de mexicali restaurant | alineacion indebida america vs chivas | tres reyes casino | palace casino | salon casino | ganar dinero en aplicaciones | juegos de tragamonedas gratis | yak casino | software ruleta online | cool cat casino | hotel monte casino cdmx | juegos con dados | downtown grand hotel & casino | casino camino real oro | tres reyes casino | casino life san luis potosí | foliatti casino online | red casino cancun | juego de loteria mexicana | ganar dinero en merida | que puedo vender o hacer para ganar dinero | playcity casino puebla | fresh casino | casino pelicula |