Amid Rising Cyber Threats, Over 400 District Leaders Warn That Schools Are Being Left Vulnerable Without Federal Support

Washington, D.C. (July 16, 2025) — In a powerful show of unity, more than 400 school district leaders — spanning urban, suburban and rural communities — have signed a CoSN petition calling on Congress and the Administration to urgently restore federal leadership and funding for K-12 cybersecurity and educational technology.

“This overwhelming response from over 400 school districts sends a clear and urgent message to Congress and the Administration: Now is not the time to retreat from protecting our schools,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. “With cybersecurity threats growing, strong federal leadership is essential. As the FY’26 appropriations process continues, we urge policymakers to restore the funding, programs, guidance and tools that districts rely on to keep students safe and learning online.”

Unprecedented Support from the Field

The petition reflects widespread concern over recent federal actions that undermine school safety and digital learning. The Administration’s elimination of the Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology (OET) and major cuts to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) — including support for the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) — remove critical lifelines that school systems have relied on to prevent and respond to cyber threats.

Critical Federal Cyber Programs at Risk

These cuts come at a time when cyberattacks against schools are escalating, from ransomware to student data breaches. Without OET and CISA support, school districts lose access to:

  • National cybersecurity guidance and best practices
  • Threat intelligence and incident response tools
  • Federal coordination on emerging technologies, including AI

Student and Staff Privacy at Stake

Cybersecurity in schools is not just a technology issue — it’s a student safety issue. Safeguarding digital infrastructure is essential to protecting sensitive student and staff data and ensuring uninterrupted teaching and learning.

Voices From the Front Lines

Among the petition’s supporters is Gary W. Lackey, Director of Cybersecurity, Goose Creek CISD (TX), and Chair of CoSN’s Cybersecurity Committee. He emphasized the real-world implications of losing these vital federal services:

“Many districts utilize essential cybersecurity resources from CISA and MS-ISAC. The combination of technical SOC (Security Operations Center) support, threat intelligence sharing, vulnerability scanning, informational webinars and many other cybersecurity resources are crucial components of their cybersecurity portfolios. Many districts depend on these resources due to lack of budgets and/or qualified staff.

Losing services from CISA and MS-ISAC will significantly reduce many districts from keeping their cybersecurity posture high and their data secured. This will inevitably lead to more school district data breaches without these services being available.”

A Call to Action

CoSN calls on Congress to:

  • Establish a dedicated federal K-12 cybersecurity grant program
  • Restore funding for MS-ISAC and technical assistance through OET
  • Recognize K-12 education as part of the nation’s critical infrastructure 

School districts across the country are sending a unified message: Federal support is essential to keeping schools safe, secure and equipped to meet the challenges of modern education. 

View the letter that was sent to Congress on July 15, 2025, here: https://www.cosn.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/CoSN-School-District-Cybersecurity-Petition-.pdf 

Learn more about CoSN’s continued advocacy: https://www.cosn.org/advocacy-policy/ 

About CoSN
CoSN, the world-class professional association for K-12 EdTech leaders, stands at the forefront of education innovation. We are driven by a mission to equip current and aspiring K-12 education technology leaders, their teams, and school districts with the community, knowledge, and professional development they need to cultivate engaging learning environments. Our vision is rooted in a future where every learner reaches their unique potential, guided by our community. CoSN represents over 13 million students and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education. cosn.org 

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Makenzie Carlin, mcarlin@fratelli.com