Tag Archives: cyber safe schools

Cybersecurity Awareness Month Is for Schools Too

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Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a perfect time to address the risks associated with the increased use of edtech in K-12 schools. While technology offers immense benefits to education, it also introduces significant security challenges that IT directors must be prepared to face.

The Risks of EdTech in Schools

As more apps and platforms are integrated into school systems, the danger of security breaches multiplies. Many of the apps used by students and teachers may not be fully vetted or controlled by district IT departments, leaving networks exposed to cyber threats. Students or staff may log in from multiple devices or on unsecured networks, putting sensitive data at further risk. This, along with the proliferation of shadow apps across school networks, poses a critical question: How can school IT teams ensure their systems are secure?

Cybercriminals Targeting EdTech

Schools are now the second-most targeted institutions for cyberattacks. The pressure on IT departments has doubled over the past five years, given the increasing complexity of managing networks, devices, and apps. Ransomware attacks, too, have become a growing concern, as threat actors exploit vulnerabilities in schools where multiple users access the network from various devices. Additionally, phishing schemes are a constant threat, exposing systems to attacks should students and staff inadvertently click on malicious links.

The Solution is Lumen Touch

Lumen Touch’s all-in-one enterprise management system is built on a secure Linux operating system and is remotely managed to ensure that updates and configurations follow industry best practices. We design our services with the intention of isolating risk and standardizing security protocols. By operating on a zero-trust basis – treating every network as potentially hostile – we protect your school’s data from threats, whether they arise from inside or outside your network.

At Lumen Touch, we take a proactive approach to data security. Our hosting services employ full-disk encryption, and we offer end-to-end encryption for all client data, whether in transit or at rest. We manage daily encrypted backups stored off-site, ensuring swift data recovery in case of user error or hardware failure. Whether you host with us or have your own server, we provide the peace of mind that comes with knowing your data is safe and easily restorable.

Protecting EdTech for the Future

As edtech becomes increasingly fundamental to education, managing the risks associated with its use is no longer optional; it’s essential. Lumen Touch offers 24/7/365 remote monitoring of your school’s systems, tracking an average of 160 data points per site to catch potential issues before they impact your operations.

At Lumen Touch, we prioritize student safety and data security, ensuring that technology enhances education without compromising on security. Contact us to learn how we can support your school’s IT needs and protect your digital infrastructure.

3 Cybersecurity Teachings to Make Your School Cyber Safe

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Some students have already returned to the classroom. Over the next few weeks, the halls of schools around the country will be filled with the sounds of laughter and chaos as the rest of students return. To prepare for the new school year, school districts have been working hard to have in place everything from the right technology to the right staff. But there are three back-to-school goals every school should have in order to ensure cyber safety and peace of mind for students, staff, and parents.

Improve School Cybersecurity

According to The State of Ransomware in Education 2022 report from Sophos,

  • Ransomware attacks on (K-12) education have increased 56%
  • K-12 schools struggle to thwart ransomware attacks, with 72% of attacks being successful
  • 45% of K-12 schools that have experienced an attack paid the ransom to retrieve their encrypted data, with a very small percentage of them actually getting back the entirety of their data.
  • K-12 schools spent $1.58 million on ransoms and data recovery last year

Take Action: In order to know where you need to make improvements to your cybersecurity strategy, you need to know where your weaknesses are. That’s why Lumen™ Touch is offering a cybersecurity audit service for schools: Bright LITE. Our customized service offering provides individuals and organizations with the necessary information and education to efficiently evaluate both the risks and opportunities they face.  Download the Bright LITE brochure (PDF)

Protect Student Data

Every year, districts choose new technology solutions that will help deliver the right curriculum to their students. With those choices come concerns about rostering student data multiple times to a variety of different vendors. It can be cost- and time-prohibitive to vet each vendor.

Take Action: Bright PASSPORT governs how schools share personally identifiable information (PII), such as student roster data. Rather than allow teachers or school districts to implement apps for their classrooms as they see fit, thereby increasing cyber risk in the schools, Bright PASSPORT provides districts with a library of approved apps that have been properly vetted to meet the required security standards. Partner with Lumen Touch to meet your student data privacy needs.

Become a Smart, Connected District

A smart, connected school district requires:

A comprehensive school management tool that includes:

  • Online registration
  • Attendance
  • Discipline
  • Nutrition services
  • Health and wellness
  • Truancy
  • Transportation
  • Fees, fines, and point of sale

A secure database with built-in backup and recovery

A comprehensive teaching and learning system that includes:

  • Curriculum and assessment
  • Scheduling
  • Grade reports and transcripts
  • Learning management system
  • After-school programs
  • Diploma tracking

Real-time reporting:

  • Any data, anywhere
  • State reporting
  • Customized reports
  • Real-time goal tracking

Communication tools:

  • Customized user portals
  • Instant messaging
  • Email
  • Personalized content

Comprehensive support, including train the trainer

Take Action: Lumen Touch Bright SUITE® provides districts with everything they need to deliver a better educational experience from start to finish. A one-stop-shop for schools, Bright SUITE incorporates everything a district needs, from a learning management system to student information systems to health-and-safety monitoring and reporting. With distinctive modules for special education, a full edtech solution library, and modules for teacher professional development, Bright SUITE is an all-in-one enterprise management solution that not only allows districts to save money, but it also creates a secure and connected school district with real-time data that lets educators make the best decisions for all students. Learn more.