Cybersecurity supervisors at the Laredo Independent School District and the Unified Independent School District say cyberattacks can come from any source at any time, so ensuring network security is always a key priority. said it was a matter.
“The Laredo Independent School District is increasingly concerned about the potential for cyber-attacks,” said Ambrosio Gómez III, executive director of LISD Technical Services. “Schools are becoming more vulnerable to many forms of cyberthreats as their reliance on digital technology and the collection of sensitive data increases.”
Whether it’s parents registering students, students doing homework, or school districts sharing important updates, digital technology has always been at the heart of schools. All of these digital technologies present challenges in terms of maintaining security. With hackers looking to steal information, cybersecurity issues have long been a major threat to everything from businesses to computers, and school districts know this is a top priority.
Gomez III said the school district is prepared for such threats. However, he warned that it can’t prescribe what measures it takes to thwart hackers and ransomware attacks, as that could expose potential vulnerabilities in the system.
Martin Martinez, UISD’s information security supervisor, said several school districts in the country have been targeted in recent cyberattacks, which is why UISD is prioritizing the protection of its information systems. He said UISD has been attacked in the past, but never compromised student or employee data.
“We experienced a minor attack in our school district, but we were able to effectively remediate it by following standard practices,” Martinez said. “The school district has made several investments over the past five years to augment and harden its information systems. These investments provide the defense-in-depth architecture required for today’s advanced threats.”
Martinez said a successful attack could have very devastating consequences because school districts hold large amounts of personal data about students, faculty and staff.
“This data could be extorted for ransom or sold to the highest bidder on the black market,” he said. “It is our duty to protect this information as it may lead to identity theft.”
Gomez III said increased cybersecurity funding for LISD would have significant benefits and could save a lot of hassle in the long run. He said this helps protect sensitive information held by school districts from students and employees.
“Protect sensitive student and faculty data, prevent cyberattacks such as ransomware and phishing, ensure uninterrupted operations, protect the online learning environment, preserve financial resources, maintain the district’s reputation, and protect regulatory It will ensure compliance with, equip personnel with critical skills, prepare them for future threats, and build community confidence,” said Gomez III. “As technology plays an increasing role in education, investing in cybersecurity is essential to providing a safe, effective and reliable learning environment while mitigating potential risks.”
Gomez III and Martínez are committed to securing student and faculty data, maintaining continuity of operations, and protecting the reputation of the school district in an increasingly digital world. school districts to allocate more funds to cybersecurity in Texas school districts. .
“Funding is always a challenge and security systems can be expensive,” says Martinez. “Recent Texas law allocates funds to provide free managed security services to school districts. may become.”