The United States Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released the K-12 Cybersecurity Foundations Resource Package, a comprehensive collection of guides, videos, and supplemental materials to help schools and districts prevent, mitigate, and respond to prevalent cyber threats. Based on current cybersecurity frameworks, these new resources outline cost-effective, actionable, and customizable steps that school and district leaders and staff can take to develop and maintain effective cybersecurity programs.
Cyber threats are a significant and growing risk for school communities. These incidents can disrupt learning and operations, compromise student privacy and safety, and expend valuable resources. The CISA’s new resource package was developed in direct response to these needs and helps schools and districts better understand cyber risks, make informed decisions, and implement cybersecurity best practices.
The K-12 Cybersecurity Foundations Resource Package includes resources tailored for both leaders and non-technical school staff (the Getting Started Guide) as well as school and district cybersecurity and IT professionals (the more detailed Implementation Guide). It also includes a six-part video series and quick reference materials.
The guides outline essential cybersecurity practices organized around eight key objectives:
- Protecting login credentials
- Safeguarding devices and assets
- Testing backups
- Strengthening incident response capabilities
- Improving cybersecurity training
- Enacting policies to appropriately manage sensitive data
- Aligning investments with recognized cybersecurity frameworks
- Developing long-term, customized plans
Access the full CISA K-12 Cybersecurity Foundations Resource Package here. For additional information and questions, please contact the CISA school safety team at SchoolSafety@cisa.dhs.gov.
