School systems across the country have been hit by cyberattacks, and this problem is only growing. The education system is a prime target for cyber attacks, which are often carried out by hackers outside the US who utilize ransomware, “Zoombombing”, denial of service, and phishing. Hackers have begun to realize that school systems are vulnerable, as they often rely on older computer systems and are not adequately equipped to defend against attacks; the data is sensitive and vulnerable. According to a report done by the research group Comparitech, in 2022, cyberattacks costed schools and colleges and estimated $9.45 in downtime alone, which does not even include the cost of recovery. Further, schools can be reluctant to report cyberattacks, which is compounded by the fact that they are not federally mandated to do so. This silence can be a very big problem. However, there are some steps that can be taken to prevent cyberattacks, which include using more complex passwords, having multifactor authentication, and keeping software up to date. The White House does not have the authority to require minimum school cybersecurity protocols, but that does not mean steps can’t be taken.
