October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time when schools and institutions across the country take stock of their digital security practices. For K12 schools, where technology is essential to daily operations, protecting devices and data is more critical than ever. Schools handle a vast amount of sensitive information, student records, personal data, and communications- making them prime targets for cyberattacks.
At Secured Tech, we understand the unique challenges schools face when it comes to managing their technology securely. Our work with K12 schools includes selling and supporting devices, offering repairs, providing software solutions, and ensuring secure end-of-life processes through buyback and e-recycling. But more than just managing devices, our mission is to help schools create a safer digital environment. Here’s how cybersecurity plays into each aspect of device management in schools and how schools can improve their defenses.
The increasing reliance on digital tools for learning, combined with limited resources, can leave schools vulnerable to a wide range of cyber threats. From ransomware attacks that can lock down entire school systems to phishing emails targeting unsuspecting staff, the risks are numerous.
A single breach can disrupt learning, compromise sensitive student data, and incur significant recovery costs. In light of these risks, schools need to adopt a proactive cybersecurity strategy, ones that encompasses not only their IT infrastructure but also the devices used daily by students and staff.
While managing devices is a critical part of cybersecurity, schools should also consider the broader steps they can take to protect their digital ecosystems. Here are some essential practices every school should adopt:
In today’s educational environment, cybersecurity is not just about the tools we use, it’s about how we use them. The three pillars of cybersecurity are People, Process, and Technology. While they may appear in alphabetical order, this sequence actually reflects the true priority they deserve. Too often, we focus on technology alone, believing that the latest hardware or software can solve all our security problems. But even the most sophisticated technology is only as strong as the people who use it. Without proper processes in place, even the best cybersecurity tools can be rendered ineffective.
The three pillars outlined in the NIST Cyber Security Framework, People, Process, and Technology, act as critical support pillars holding up the overall security structure of any organization. If one of these pillars is weak or improperly established, the entire system becomes unstable, much like a building whose support beams are not firmly in place. Technology, while important, cannot stand on its own; it must be reinforced by well-trained people and robust processes. Without all three pillars working in harmony, the foundation of your cybersecurity efforts will fail to support the weight of growing cyber threats.
This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, let’s shift our focus to the two foundational pillars: People and Process. Schools should prioritize educating their staff and students about cybersecurity best practices, ensuring that everyone knows how to recognize and respond to potential threats. At the same time, it’s critical to establish clear, repeatable processes that guide how devices and data are handled, from deployment to disposal. When these two pillars are strong, technology can truly do its job.
At Secured Tech, we’re committed to helping schools protect their digital environments by supporting all three pillars of cybersecurity. By fostering a culture of security awareness, setting robust processes, and deploying the right technology, schools can create a safer, more secure learning environment for everyone.