Getting Started with Cybersecurity
CoSN’s EdTech Leadership Survey consistently identifies cybersecurity as a top priority for school system IT Leaders. School system leaders, including technology leaders, need to protect their networks and information security, analyze their current status, and validate what they are doing well. CoSN provides tools and resources that provide insight into how risk can be further reduced in ways that help technology leaders contribute to their schools' primary goals of teaching and learning. We also offer assistance to district technology leaders who are working to ensure safety for both students and staff.
CoSN Cybersecurity Project Director: Amy McLaughlin, MS, MA, CETL, CISM, CHPS, CDPSE, CISSP, amclaughlin@cosn.org.
CoSN staff contact: Jill Brown, MA, Ph.D., Director of Professional Learning, jbrown@cosn.org
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month!
Don't be fooled by "bad actors" and their phony costumes! Take a look at our helpful resources below and take action to protect yourself during October's Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Cybersecurity Blogs
Cybersecurity Webinar
CyberSmart: Empowering the K-12 Community with Essential Cybersecurity Knowledge (Free for Members, Open to ALL)
October 29, 2024, 2-3pm EST.
Registration is open now!
Cybersecurity Advocacy Efforts
The FCC launches a $200M Cybersecurity Pilot for schools and libraries! Apply now by November 1, 2024, for the three-year program to boost network defenses. "Vulnerabilities are real—and growing," says Chairwoman Rosenworcel. Don't miss your chance and Apply Now. For more information, read the related CoSN Press Release.
Don Ringelestein, CETL, CISSP, CISM, CAPM, ITILv4, Executive Director of Technology at Yorkville CUSD 115.
Addressing Cybersecurity in K-12 Organizations
The Foundation of effective cybersecurity practices is planning.
Preparation is key to preventing attacks and protecting your organizational systems.
Implementation of your cybersecurity program requires a systematic approach. These resources can streamline the process.
Preparedness is what separates a botched response from a secure one.
K-12CVAT: K-12 Community Vendor Assessment Tool Lite-V4.1
CoSN is excited to share the K-12CVAT, based off the Educause Higher Education Community Vendor Assessment Tool – Lite (HECVAT-Lite), but geared specifically towards K-12 education.
CoSN Cybersecurity Professional Development Opportunities
- Cybersecurity in K-12 Schools Facilitated Online Course
- Creating Cybersecurity and Incident Response Plans: Cybersecurity Online Workshop 101
- Cybersecurity on a Shoestring Budget Online Workshop 201
- Planning & Running Tabletop Incident Response Exercises Cybersecurity Online Workshop 301
- Cybersecurity Insider Threat: Employee - Incident Response Online Workshop #1
- Cybersecurity Insider Threat: Student - Incident Response Online Workshop #2
- Cybersecurity External Threat: System Infiltration - Incident Response Online Workshop #3
- CoSN also offers affordable customized courses and in-house professional development options for schools or districts. We can provide nationally recognized subject matter expert instructors or fully developed courses for you to facilitate with in-house experts in our LMS.
Cybersecurity Blogs
CoSN Applauds White House Cybersecurity Summit for K-12 Schools
View some of the exciting moments captured from the historic White House Cybersecurity Summit for K-12 Schools, including the livestream, K-12 Digital Infrastructure Briefs, and more
Don’t Blame Your Cybersecurity People and Don’t Blame Your Custodian for a Full Garbage Can!
In a time when they say it’s a matter of when not if, and it never happens at a good time; How do you support your IT staff when you…
Read MoreStaying Safe While Online
October 2024 marks the 21st Cybersecurity Awareness Month! This collaborative effort from industry experts helps the public to be aware of ways they can protect themselves and reduce risks while…
Read MoreTop 10 Tips for Governing Cybersecurity Culture: Connecting Organizational Context to Conduct and Change
Leadership weaves the foundation of a strong cybersecurity culture into school systems. Yeah Yeah Yeah, but how? The lofty answer is that school leaders must actively participate in cybersecurity initiatives,…
Read MoreCybersecurity Resources
Cybersecurity Toolkit – Authentication Management
Controlling access to organizational systems and resources is an essential element of cybersecurity. The traditional approach to access control has been to assign usernames with complex password requirements, generally a combination of up to eight letters, numbers, and special characters. However, in an era of sophisticated hackers and cybercriminals, this cybersecurity approach is no longer adequate. Download our new Authentication Management Toolkit to improve your security stance.
CoSN Go To Places – Where Do I Find CoSN Resources?
Events: Find dates, times and register for events, courses and workshops from the CoSN Calendar (Subscribe at the bottom of the page) https://www.cosn.org/education-events/event-calendar/ New Releases: https://www.cosn.org/cosn-new-releases/ Professional Learning:…
Read MoreDisaster Recovery Plan Template
This content is an exclusive benefit for CoSN members. If you’re a member, log in and you’ll get immediate access. If you’re not yet a member, you’ll be interested to…
Read MoreLearning Continuity Planning
Building your Learning Continuity Plan or Business Continuity Plan Why have a Learning Continuity Plan or Business Continuity Plan? It is important to have an identified scope when developing an…
Read MoreK-12 Cybersecurity Advisory Committee
CoSN’s EdTech Leadership Survey consistently identifies cybersecurity as a top priority for school system IT Leaders. The CoSN Cybersecurity advisory seeks to support school leaders in their efforts to support school system leaders, including technology leaders, to protect their networks and provide information security, analyze their current status, and validate what they are doing well. Members of the committee share their knowledge and expertise in a number of ways including contributing to ongoing conversations and creation of CoSN resources as well as identifying districts who might serve as exemplars for their work. The group meets monthly for a one-hour meeting with some occasional time for subgroup discussions or input asynchronously. The committee meets remotely once a month for an hour.
Extend Your Learning
CoSN offers ongoing professional development opportunities focused on Cybersecurity for you and your team. These opportunities are open to all, CoSN members enjoy exclusive discounts.
- Cybersecurity Online Courses
- Workshops
- Tabletop Exercises
- Webinars
- Podcasts
Thanks to Our Initiative Sponsors
Thanks to Our Strategic Partner
