Connected and Secure: 6 Ways to Keep Devices Safe in Schools

There are many reasons to love K-12 classroom technology. With an array of dynamic digital tools like tablets, laptops, and interactive displays, teachers can engage students, offer personalized learning opportunities, and enhance skill acquisition.

From an IT perspective, however, connected devices raise security concerns, as each device added to the network can create a new entry point for bad actors. Unfortunately, many do just that. U.S. schools experienced 1,619 cyber incidents between 2016 and 2022, and 2023 saw an alarming 70 percent increase in ransomware attacks in the education sector. This makes remote management and monitoring important for establishing device security in schools.

The Big Picture: Your School’s Connected Network

In many K-12 schools today, the connected network of devices extends far beyond desktop computers and local servers. It includes every device connected to the school’s Wi-Fi network—from students’ and teachers’ laptops, tablets, and mobile phones to supporting devices like printers, scanners, and interactive displays like the Samsung WAD Interactive Display. Cloud-based administrative systems like learning management systems and other software tools are also part of the network. The Internet of Things (IoT) in schools is no different.

Mitigating cybersecurity threats and keeping connected classrooms safe in this climate means taking a broader approach to understanding and managing the network of devices. It also means educating those who use the network—teachers, administrators, and students—on best practices for preventing cyberthreats.

Solutions to ensure device security in schools

A teacher receives an email that claims to be from an administrator asking for personal information or credentials, but is actually a phishing scam. Students enter email addresses and confidential contact information into a website. An interactive display or smart board is connected, but it is unsecured, allowing a hacker to gain unauthorized access to the network through the device.

Any endpoint can become a gateway for cybersecurity threats, but school IT departments can take precautions to block those entrances and minimize threats. Here are six security solutions that are part of a solid cybersecurity strategy for K-12 networks.

1. Endpoint Detection and Response

An EDR system provides continuous monitoring of all connected endpoints, including smart boards, tablets, laptops, and servers. The software uses analytics on incoming data to detect potential threats and triggers alerts when malicious behavior is observed on the network. Some EDR systems can provide immediate, automated responses to stop threats—for example, disabling a device infected with malware or blocking suspicious network traffic. EDR can provide deep network visibility, allowing all endpoints to be managed from a centralized system.

2. Network Access Control

Network Access Control (NAC) is essential for maintaining secure K-12 networks. It protects the network from unauthorized users by allowing only devices that are authorized and meet appropriate security standards to log in. Administrators can program NAC with defined policies and security standards for network access, such as antivirus software updates and data encryption—helping to keep unsecured endpoints from joining.

3. Network firewalls

A network firewall provides a buffer between a school’s local network and the internet by examining and filtering traffic based on predefined standards. Network firewalls are often the first line of defense against malicious attacks, helping to identify and block malware, viruses, and ransomware from entering the network. They can also detect and filter inappropriate content.

4. Device Management Tools

Powerful device management tools, such as Samsung’s device management and mobility software, help you oversee all connected devices on your school’s network. Device management solutions monitor device health and enable IT teams to remotely troubleshoot issues, track usage, filter content, configure devices, and push software updates and security checks.

5. Antivirus software

Like firewalls, antivirus software is a fundamental part of any successful K-12 cybersecurity strategy, as it is designed to scan network activity, detect potential threats, and take action to stop malware and viruses in their tracks. It can be a standalone solution or bundled into another tool, such as a device management solution.

6. Safety training

While software tools are important pieces of the cybersecurity puzzle in K-12 schools, they won’t work if you don’t train teachers, administrators, and students to be vigilant about cyber threats and use connected devices responsibly. Provide regular training sessions for students, reminding them not to share sensitive personal information online and teaching them how to recognize and report online threats, such as phishing attempts. Training should never be a one-time thing, as new threats and schemes emerge all the time. Indeed, educating teachers, students, and staff members on best security practices goes a long way toward minimizing risk. In fact, according to the World Economic Forum’s 2022 Global Risks Report, 95% of all cybersecurity breaches were caused by human error.

Get ready and take action

With sensitive student information stored on servers and so many kids using connected devices, protecting your K-12 network from cyber threats is a must. The good news? When you implement effective solutions and take the time to train staff and students on cybersecurity best practices, you can minimize the risk to your school’s network and ensure everyone in your district is prepared to interact responsibly with the digital world.

Discover how simple, scalable and secure display solutions are, such as Samsung WAD interactive displays, can improve learning. Also learn how they empower teachers to take control of the curriculum in this free guide.