The Clever survey on K-12 cybersecurity indicates a heightened focus on data protection, with the majority of administrators foreseeing increased spending in the near future. Despite improvements in defense systems, the report underscores the necessity for dedicated personnel and enhanced collaboration to effectively safeguard educational data. The study, based on responses from over 800 K-12 administrators, reveals that 73% plan to boost spending on cybersecurity measures in the next two to three years. However, the report also notes a decrease of about 4% compared to the previous year’s projections.
While 96% of respondents advocate for collaborative efforts among IT, school leaders, and staff in cybersecurity, 55% attribute primary responsibility to the IT department. The report emphasizes the crucial role of people in cybersecurity and encourages a team-based approach to address evolving threats. The survey exposes that 73% of districts experienced security incidents in the past year, with 10% falling victim to ransomware attacks. Additionally, 82% of surveyed districts either have or plan to acquire cybersecurity insurance, highlighting the growing recognition of the importance of financial protection against cyber threats.
The report sheds light on the multifaceted challenges faced by school districts, with 69% of respondents reporting that their cybersecurity insurance policies include requirements for multifactor authentication (MFA). Despite its importance, 33% of administrators reported negative feedback from teachers regarding MFA implementation. The findings also reveal a considerable interest in adopting new cybersecurity technologies, with 89% considering measures like stronger data encryption and zero-trust security architecture models. Over 90% of respondents have adopted or plan to adopt single sign-on technology, showcasing the widespread recognition of its efficiency in accessing multiple applications with a single set of login credentials. However, more than half of the respondents express concerns about insufficient spending on data protection efforts within their districts.
