iTechnology Series | K-12 Districts Not Taking Cloud Security Seriously

ManagedMethods released new research that found gaps in the cybersecurity strategies of district administrators when protecting their cloud collaboration and storage applications. The research findings were released in a special report,  What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You: New Survey Identifies Gaps in K-12 Cloud Security, commissioned by ManagedMethods and administered by the  EdWeek Research Center.

The report reveals 30% of district administrators with at least a medium level of influence on technology decisions do not have a security platform to secure cloud applications. In total, half of respondents either did not have a platform in place or did not know if a platform had been implemented in their district.

“School districts have long led the charge into cloud technology by embracing Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 cloud applications. This new research tells us that some district administrators are unaware of the cybersecurity, safety, and privacy risks that come with using them,” said Charlie Sander, Chief Executive Officer at ManagedMethods. “Technology leaders need to know their cloud environments may be vulnerable, and that it’s their responsibility to secure them.”

District Leaders Store Sensitive Information In The Cloud With Limited Security Budgets

The research findings show the median budget district administrators have available for cybersecurity is $20,000 annually. Of this amount, 20% will go toward protecting cloud applications in 2022. The research also shows that some of the most sensitive information districts have is stored in the cloud—or soon will be.

• 86% use cloud-based learning management systems (LMS) or plan to move these systems to the cloud.
• 69% have their human resources systems in the cloud or have plans to move to the cloud.
• 95% report students and/or staff collaborate using Zoom and/or Google Meet.