It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Here’s Why It Matters to Every School in WA!

It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Here’s Why It Matters to Every School in WA!

In today’s increasingly digital world, schools are handling vast amounts of personal and financial information, making them prime targets for cyber threats. Protecting this data is critical not just for compliance, but also for maintaining the trust of students, staff, and parents.

Here are some key steps you can take to bolster your school’s cybersecurity efforts:

1. Implement Strong Password Policies: Encourage students, teachers, and staff to use complex, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible. This extra layer of security can prevent unauthorized access to sensitive systems.

1. Provide Cybersecurity Training: Providing regular training for staff and students on identifying phishing attempts, suspicious links, and unsafe online behavior can significantly reduce the risk of cyberattacks. Awareness is often the first line of defense.

1. Update Software Regularly: Ensure all software and systems, including antivirus programs, are kept up to date. Security patches are vital in protecting against newly discovered vulnerabilities.

1. Use Data Encryption: Encrypt sensitive data both in transit and at rest. This adds an extra layer of protection, ensuring that even if data is intercepted, it cannot be easily accessed.

1. Back Up Data Frequently: Regular data backups help schools recover quickly from cyberattacks, particularly ransomware. Storing backups securely offsite or in the cloud—and ensuring they are immutable so they cannot be altered or deleted—provides an extra layer of protection and ensures data is safe even if primary systems are compromised.

1. Limit Access to Sensitive Information: Use role-based access controls to ensure that only authorized individuals can access critical data. This minimizes the risk of internal breaches or accidental data exposure.

By taking proactive steps like these, you can strengthen your organization’s cybersecurity posture and better protect your valuable data, ensuring a safer digital environment for everyone involved.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at cybersecurity@wsipc.org.

Let WSIPC Connect You with the Security Solutions You Need!

Save time, money, and resources with the solutions offered through our WSIPC Purchasing Program. Click the links below to learn how our WSIPC Purchasing Program partners can help protect your organization from security threats.

• RFP 25-02 Cybersecurity & Regulatory Compliance Training Solutions
• RFP 24-01 Student Safety Solutions
• RFP 23-02 Enterprise Cybersecurity & Risk Assessment Solutions
• RFP 22-05 Managed Security & Physical Security Solutions
• RFP 18-03 Web Filtering Solutions

Each vendor who becomes a part of the WSIPC Purchasing Program has been awarded a bid contract through an official RFP process in compliance with Washington State Procurement RCWs. All our partners have been vetted to ensure they offer the best solutions at reasonable prices.

WSIPC is a non-profit public agency that provides technology solutions, services, and support to K-12 schools. WSIPC’s purpose is to help schools do more with every dollar and to empower them with the tools to work smarter. To learn how your district can become part of the WSIPC Cooperative, contact us at info@wsipc.org or 425.349.6600.

WSIPC. Inspired by education. Empowered by technology.^TM