Whether you enjoy it or not, our schools, organizations, and personal lives are increasingly dependent on technology. As such, wrongdoers will use this dependency to target your sensitive information and data. The more walls of defense you place against these bad actors, the safer you can feel navigating our ever-changing digital world. Take the following into consideration to protect you and your staff, students, and customers:
Encourage the Use of Password Manager Software
It’s estimated that an eight-character password that includes numbers, upper and lower case letters, and symbols can be cracked in five minutes. A lot of short passwords that don’t contain a variety of characters can be accessed instantly thanks to bots that can try thousands of passwords to access your data. Longer and more complex passwords are essential to maintain your security. The problem with these passwords is that they are hard for the average person to remember.
That’s why a password manager can help maintain your security. With the password manager creating and remembering these complex and unique passwords for you, people won’t need to worry about thinking of complex passwords on their own. Each login account will use a unique password for that site, so even if a password is compromised, it won’t affect the other accounts because those are entirely different passwords. While one issue may be remembering these passwords away from your main computer, most will have a mobile app for easy access and use. Security comes much easier when using a password manager, especially over an entire district or organization. Your security is only as strong as your weakest link, so the more people who use a password manager, the stronger your security as a whole will be.
Implement Multifactor Authentication Where Possible
Multifactor Authentication (MFA) is a login process requiring two or more methods to log into the website or application. This is usually done by inputting your password and then using another method to confirm your identity, whether it’s a text to your phone to input a code, facial or fingerprint authentication, or some other way that only you should be able to access. Many websites and apps already allow the use of MFA, so you may need to check your settings to see if you can implement it. This may make it troublesome to log into some accounts, but implementing it can save you a ton of time and headaches if your password is ever compromised. With MFA, even if your password is compromised, the person shouldn’t be able to log in, as you’ll be notified of the login, and they can’t access your second login method.
Stay Connected and Have a Plan
Even with every security measure implemented, there’s always the chance of security failures or major emergencies, such as ransomware and network outages. Like a plan for a tornado, fire, or active shooter, you’ll want to develop a response plan to these cyber emergencies. What’s the reporting process to inform your organization of a technology emergency? Who are the IT people in your school or organization who will lead you through the emergency? Can issues be solved in-house, or will they know who to contact if they need outside help? Be prepared to answer these questions and more to ensure a proper response during any circumstance.
Don’t Forget the Basics
In addition to everything mentioned above, don’t forget to check off these items as well:
Keep your computer updated with official updates
Have an advanced security software installed, not just the basic antivirus software included with the computer
Don’t open or click suspicious emails and their links or attachments. If the email is from someone you know, check with them first to see if their email was compromised
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is; as much as you’d like to obtain free money or a cruise
Keep updated on your personal information through a service like Credit Karma or one from your credit card to have alerts set for suspicious activity
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It’s not easy to wrap your head around all the risks coming from using technology. We are all pioneers in a transforming world of technology, AI, and the internet. We’re learning the benefits of technology, along with the risks it brings. By working together and using best practices, we can continue to adapt to technological advances to make our schools and lives easier for all.
Check Out Our Vendor Partners!
Deledao
Deledao brings a new way to empower students and educators with the tools to make the internet a positive and safe experience. Founded in 2017 by Silicon Valley veterans concerned about their children's internet use, Deledao developed proprietary Artificial Intelligence to provide holistic web protection for children everywhere. Deledao released its first solution in 2019, and it's now helping schools across the United States, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia.
Blocksi
Blocksi, a Google for Education partner, is dedicated to providing an innovative and powerful all-in-one cloud-based content filtering and classroom screen monitoring system with student safety alerts and prevention. Designed to filter content both in and out of school, monitor and manage student screens in the classroom and provide actionable analytics to detect trends, cyberbullying, and harmful behavior across GSuite managed Chromebooks and Windows OS devices.
CDW-G
When you buy from CDW-G, you get expert advice, superior customer support and extensive product and service offerings. And with AEPA Consortium contract pricing, we make purchase decisions easy for you. For classroom technology solutions, turn to The People Who Get IT — CDW-G.
Bluum
Tierney offers technology solutions to help teacher and student communication, collaboration and learning. Tierney has dedicated personal with degrees and/or previous experience directly in the education field to implement technology that fits the curriculum, staff and budget needs. It’s more than putting tablets in the students’ hands, or installing the latest technology in the classroom. Integrating technology into education begins long before the first piece of hardware is purchased. Tierney experts will help you every step of the way.
Trafera
Trafera believes that providing the right classroom tech is only the beginning. That’s why they couple powerful ed-tech with best in class services to support impactful technology integration in the classroom.
After helping identify the right solutions for your tech initiative – from student Chromebooks to interactive flat panels—they work with you to setup, deploy, and install it all throughout your school/district. What’s more, Trafera offers Google for Education certified professional development to empower educators to teach with confidence using new technology.