The modern cyber battlespace now includes schools. In recent times there has been a trend towards cyber-attacks on softer targets, including educational institutions. Schools, as major users of digital technologies, web-based platforms, and data management systems, are being systematically targeted. The reality appears to be stacked in favour of the technically trained and well-funded bad actors.
Disgruntled students are also inflicting highly damaging cyber-attacks, of their own. Recently, there have been a number of high profile attacks on schools in the Asia-Pacific region, amongst them Australia, Japan, India and according to the K-12 Cyber Incident Map there has been 415 plus cybersecurity-related incidents involving U.S. public schools since 2016 .
In Australia K-12 school system, the focus has been predominantly related to dealing with cyber-bullying, image-based abuse, irresponsible online behaviour and developing a simplified cyber safety message. However, as technology-led classrooms rely upon software applications, web-based platforms and mobile learning technologies to facilitate learning, it also serves as an entry point for illicit harvesting of personal identifiable information (PIIs), and unregulated third party access.
Schools hold sensitive and personal data points for teachers, staff and students. Online collaborative tools, including learning management systems, gradebooks, and emails lack significant privacy controls, access management issues and poor password control…Click here to read full article.
