When it comes to protecting school networks from cyberattacks, IT directors tend to be the experts on understanding how to avoid hacking incidents and malware infections. But as hackers become more and more sophisticated, many schools are taking action to not only ensure their staff understands cybersecurity, but that their students do, too.
Wbaltv.com recently reported that Loyola Blakefield, an all-boys college preparatory school located in Towson, Maryland, is extending cybersecurity education to students through a cybersecurity club that teaches them skills, ethics and other responsible cyber behavior.
“Tech’s the easy part right?” said Steve Morrill, director of technology and cyber science at Loyola Blakefield. “I can teach technology to anybody. It’s presenting it in the bigger picture that I think these guys are going to walk away with to understand cyber touches every industry, everywhere.”
The cybersecurity club meets before school and is now in its fourth year.
With technology playing such a vital role in students’ learning experiences, providing cybersecurity education to students is more necessary than ever before. Cybersecurity clubs such as Loyola Blakefield’s are a great way to bring students together who are interested in learning cybersecurity, but cyber education needs to reach all students, not just those who are intrigued by it.
When schools are implementing new technology, teaching responsible digital citizenship and the threats the web can pose to a school’s network is just as important to the success of a technology initiative as teacher training and professional development. Students are now being granted ownership of devices and are using various web-based learning tools and apps that often collect student data to track and measure achievement. If a network were to be hacked into, this sensitive data is at risk of being stolen.
In order to prevent malware and cyberattacks, students need to learn the risks of cyberspace, as well as how to responsibly navigate the web.
To learn more about cybersecurity and protecting student data, check out this guide.
Rachel Quetti is the editor of K-12 TechDecisions, aimed at helping K-12 professionals make better decisions about technology purchases for their classrooms, schools and school districts. Rachel joined the TechDecisions team in 2015 and covers the latest technology trends in the K-12 market.Get in Touch: [email protected] More by Rachel Quetti
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