Texas schools are embracing technology like never before, opening doors to dynamic learning. Yet, this digital leap comes with a serious shadow: cyber threats. The education sector has become a top target for hackers, who exploit limited cybersecurity budgets to execute ransomware attacks, data breaches, and other intrusions. In 2023, K-12 schools saw a record-breaking surge in cyber incidents, with 954 breaches—nearly seven times the previous year’s number. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Beyond the immediate risks, cyber incidents can drain resources, interrupt learning, and jeopardize student privacy. For Texas schools, building a cybersecurity culture is essential, involving everyone from administrators to students. In doing so, schools not only protect themselves but empower students to become digital citizens who understand the importance of online safety.
Tips for Building a Cybersecurity Culture
Creating a cybersecurity culture isn’t just about implementing the latest technology; it’s about fostering a community-wide commitment to digital safety. Here are five tips to help Texas schools build and sustain this culture:
1. Implement Comprehensive Cybersecurity Training for Staff
Regular training sessions are essential for keeping school staff updated on the latest threats and best practices. This training should cover everything from recognizing phishing attempts to understanding the importance of strong password management. By equipping educators and staff with the knowledge they need, schools can significantly reduce the risk of breaches.
2. Engage Students in Cyber Awareness Programs
Students are on the frontlines of technology use in schools. Engaging them in cybersecurity programs that teach them about safe online behavior, recognizing suspicious links, and the importance of not bypassing filters is crucial. Involving students and finding unique opportunities to engage and teach them not only empowers them but also helps schools create a culture where everyone plays a role in maintaining security.
3. Involve Parents and the Community
Cybersecurity is not just an in-school issue; it extends to the home and beyond. Schools should engage parents and community members through workshops and resources that explain the importance of digital safety. By creating partnerships with families, schools can reinforce good habits and foster a community-wide commitment to online safety.
4. Establish Clear Policies and Protocols
Schools must have clear, accessible policies for handling technology and responding to incidents. This includes protocols for reporting suspicious activity, guidelines for accessing sensitive data, and a clear chain of command in case of a breach. By having well-defined policies, schools can respond quickly and effectively to any threats.
5. Leverage Technology to Monitor and Protect
Investing in robust cybersecurity solutions that offer real-time monitoring, filtering, and alert systems can make a significant difference. Technology should be used not just as a preventative measure but as a proactive tool for identifying and addressing potential risks before they escalate.
Example in Action: Grapevine-Colleyville ISD
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD (GCISD) is taking an innovative approach to cybersecurity. When GCISD faced the challenge of students attempting to bypass filters—a common issue in many districts that can lead directly to opening cybersecurity risks—GCISD launched the “Beat the Filter” challenge to turn what could have been a negative situation into a learning opportunity.
At the event, students came together with GCISD’s technology team and the Lightspeed Systems product and security teams to talk about cybersecurity and engage in an ethical hacking exercise where students shared their tactics for attempting to circumvent filtering. Kyle Berger, GCISD’s Chief Technology Officer, shared his perspective on turning cybersecurity training into a real-world activity: “It’s beyond just checking a box and making sure somebody watched a video or read some sort of paper or something in that nature. For us, cybersecurity training is real time throughout the year.”
By engaging students directly, GCISD created an interactive and educational experience that not only reinforced the importance of cybersecurity but also empowered students to take ownership of their digital actions. This proactive approach demonstrates how Texas districts can turn challenges into opportunities to strengthen their cybersecurity culture.
Watch the video to see more about the event.
Lightspeed Systems: Your Trusted Partner for Building a Cybersecurity Culture
Funding can make cybersecurity an even greater challenge for districts, so districts need to work with partners who deliver protection with cost-saving insights. As Kyle says, “Nowadays many school districts are not having a lot of funding opportunities so we really have to look at how our money is being spent and how it’s actually being used and can we measure that to outcomes in our classroom…. Lightspeed gives us true insight into how our internet is used and how our students are accessing content as well as our staff. Having that ability in one paint of glass is powerful for us.”
For over 25 years, Lightspeed Systems has been a trusted partner for Texas schools, providing cutting-edge technology to keep students safe online. In 2023 Lightspeed Systems blocked an astounding 3.3 billion requests for security-related URLs. We achieve this level of protection through our advanced database and our ability to block unknown URLs.
With 23 million students relying on our technology and a comprehensive database built over 25 years, if a site is unknown to us, it’s probably not educational. That means schools can block unknown URLs without negatively impacting teaching and learning. Then when a new, unknown site is accessed or attempted to be accessed, it’s immediately routed to our database for categorization. This ensures that new threats are blocked initially, then identified and neutralized quickly, keeping students and schools safe.
But our partnership goes beyond software; it’s about working hand-in-hand with districts to build a culture of safety and digital responsibility. By partnering with Lightspeed Systems, Texas districts gain not only a cybersecurity solution, but a partner dedicated to building and sustaining safe, secure digital learning environments.
