According to K12 Dive,  there are hundreds of reported cybersecurity ransomware attacks on schools every year, and it is increasing exponentially, costing school districts hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars every year. There have been 102 education-related ransomware attacks in 2023 as of mid-September, compared to 116 in 2022, 107 in 2021, 116 in 2020, […]

In the digital age, the protection of student data has become a pressing concern. According to a study from Lightspeed Systems, more than two-thirds of education IT leaders indicate that concerns around privacy and security are more important now than they have been in the past. With advancements in technology and the increasing reliance on digital […]

The rapidly expanding integration of technology in classrooms raises critical concerns about student data privacy. School IT leaders and district administrators are recognizing the urgency to implement robust strategies that safeguard sensitive information and mitigate the risks associated with data breaches. This article explores the top five strategies for managing K-12 student data privacy. Secure […]

In our webinar, “Who can you trust when it comes to handling student data?” featuring Kevin Lewis and Rob Abel from 1EdTech Consortium, Bill Lohman from Vernon Parish School Board, Leo Brehm from Taunton Public Schools, and Michael King from GG4L, the panel provided valuable insights into the challenges and solutions related to secure data […]

Collaboration between schools and EdTech vendors is essential for providing students with cutting-edge educational experiences. However, this collaboration must be underpinned by a robust framework of data protection. Data Privacy Agreements (DPAs) emerged as a critical tool in achieving this balance, fostering a secure and compliant environment for the exchange of student data. As technology […]

Schools increasingly rely on edtech vendors to enhance the learning experience. However, with this reliance comes the paramount responsibility of safeguarding student data. To address this concern, schools and edtech vendors engage in Data Privacy Agreements (DPAs), establishing a framework for secure data exchange. What Are Data Privacy Agreements? Data Privacy Agreements serve as a […]

There is inevitable risk as an edtech vendor working with K-12 schools. For most edtech providers, the standard operating procedure to obtain the data they need to work with a school is through rostering. What is rostering? Traditional rostering is a high-risk data exchange when the student’s personally identifiable information (PII) is copied from the […]

Rob Abel, CEO of 1Edtech Consortium, has been leading the charge for better PII governance, providing ways for edtech vendors to demonstrate their commitment to and protocols for protecting PII to become a 1EdTech approved vendor. He joined our recent webinar to discuss the evolution of the data ecosystem in schools and what must be […]

During the last six years we have seen amazing growth in education technology use and leveraging of innovation across industries to help us reach students in different ways, enhance their learning, and monitor and track their progress. Unfortunately, with the proliferation of technology comes data leakage and the risk of losing student data. With K-12 […]

Cybersecurity and data privacy are related but distinct concepts that focus on different aspects of protecting information and systems. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between them: Focus and Scope Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity primarily focuses on protecting computer systems, networks, and digital assets from unauthorized access, attacks, and damage. It encompasses a wide range of […]

Monitoring PII (Personally Identifiable Information) in K-12 schools is a crucial responsibility that often falls to the IT leaders within the district. PII includes sensitive information such as names, addresses, social security numbers, and more. Monitoring PII helps protect the privacy of students, their families, and staff members. Unauthorized access or misuse of this information […]

School IT leaders are charged with enormous responsibility for maintaining data privacy and delivering strong cybersecurity measures for their schools. Even if school IT leaders have external managed security partners who provide some of the support, they are still making many of the decisions about how to implement measures that protect PII. Cybersecurity Threats Against […]