Have questions about the Ransomware Defence Summer Bootcamp? We’ve compiled a short FAQ to answer common questions covering what participants can expect during the five-day intensive.

👉 Learn more & apply: virtual-routes.org/ransomware-d...

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District tech chief says AI and cybersecurity training are central as device costs rise Bhargav Villas outlined a technology budget increase for 2026–27, highlighted a ~10,000‑device network footprint, rising hardware prices, multi‑layer cybersecurity measures and new AI guidance and professional development for teachers and parents.

As the cost of technology rises, the district is stepping up its game with enhanced cybersecurity measures and innovative AI tools for teachers and students alike.

Learn more here!

#NY #BudgetPlanning #CitizenPortal #AIIntegration #CybersecurityEducation #NewYorkTechnology

10 signs that show your young teen is adopting cybersecurity habits on social media. An infographic by @brilliantlabs-edu.bsky.social to help families encourage cybersecure practices on social networks. Thanks for sharing! :-) #GetCyberSafe #CybersecurityEducation #Cybersecurity

Board presses KSDE on district cybersecurity funding after briefing on risks and vendor breaches KSDE staff outlined outreach to districts and use of the NIST cybersecurity framework; board members asked whether districts have dedicated cybersecurity funding after recent breaches and vendor incidents. KSDE said no statewide dedicated cybersecurity funding for districts is in place and emphasized low‑cost mitigations and vendor vetting.

Kansas school districts face an urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures as funding cuts raise concerns over their preparedness against breaches and vendor risks.

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#KS #CitizenPortal #KansasSchools #FundingChallenges #CybersecurityEducation #VendorVetting

Committee debates SmartPass rollout and data retention as cybersecurity team pushes district protections District cybersecurity lead Dan DeVito outlined phishing training, firewall protections and a phased SmartPass rollout; committee members raised parental concerns and requested a future policy review and a schedule for purging SmartPass data, which DeVito said currently has no automatic purge schedule.

Weston School District is rolling out a cutting-edge electronic hall-pass system while navigating crucial concerns about student data privacy and cybersecurity.

Learn more here

#CT #CitizenPortal #CybersecurityEducation #SafetyAccountability #DataPrivacy

Senators hear $250,000 proposal to coordinate K–12 cybersecurity, proponents cite recent costly incidents Senators considered LB 10 54, a targeted $250,000 request to assess K–12 cybersecurity posture, create statewide coordination and seed a grant program; proponents including ESU coordinators, the CIO and school leaders argued modest upfront spending will reduce the higher costs of ransomware and phishing incidents.

Nebraska senators are pushing for a crucial $250,000 investment to boost K–12 cybersecurity and combat alarming threats like ransomware and phishing attacks.

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#NE #GrantPrograms #CitizenPortal #StatewideCoordination #CybersecurityEducation

Be a Cyber-Safe Owl! 12 cybersecurity tips to remember and become a Cyber-Safe Owl! An infographic from @brilliantlabs-edu.bsky.social. There are more cybersecurity resources on their website here: www.brilliantlabs.ca/cybersecurity #Cybercsecurity #CybersecurityEducation #GetCyberSafe

A web directory of cybersecurity resources from @brilliantlabs-edu.bsky.social. Highly useful resources for teachers, students, and parents…
#Cybersecurity #CybersecurityEducation #GetCyberSafe

10 Tips to become a cybersecurity fox! via @brilliantlabs-edu.bsky.social #Cybersecurity #CybersecurityEducation #StaySafe #GetCyberSafe

New York cohort model and JT AI product aim to make AI usable and secure for legal aid Just Tech and New York grantees described CITAP security cohorts, AI University (72 participating organizations), hands-on labs and a JT AI knowledge-hub product that creates internal/external searchable AI answers for staff and public-facing sites; presenters emphasized security, shared licenses and hands-on training.

Just Tech is revolutionizing legal aid in New York by empowering organizations with AI education and hands-on training to combat misinformation and enhance security.

Learn more here!

#US #CitizenPortal #AIAdoption #ChangeManagement #CybersecurityEducation #NewYorkLegalAid

Human error drives many cyberattacks. Hackers target people through phishing and impersonation, not just systems. Ongoing employee training helps teams spot threats faster and reduces business risk. #CyberSecurityEducation #EmployeeTraining #BusinessSecurity #CurrentTEKSolutions

Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence seeks more funding and warns rural counties are most vulnerable ahead of elections The Center reported growing activity and external funding but said current biennial allocations fall short of needs; the director requested permission to repurpose $250,000 in local‑grant funds for pilot election security assessments and urged additional funding to expand workforce and assessment work, particularly in rural counties.

Oregon's Cybersecurity Center warns that urgent funding is needed to bolster election security, especially in vulnerable rural counties.

Learn more here!

#OR #CybersecurityEducation #RuralCommunityResources #ElectionSecurity

Surge in Cybercrime Undermines Online Safety Efforts   With data breaches, ransomware incidents, and state-sponsored digital espionage increasingly dominating global headlines, cybersecurity has become a strategic priority for governments and corporations alike, moving from a back-office concern to a front-line concern.  A widening gap between risk and readiness is visible in almost all industries due to the rapid acceleration of the threat landscape. This has resulted in a global demand for qualified cybersecurity professionals.  Among the findings of the 2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, which underscores the magnitude of the problem, is the finding that the shortage has now exceeded four million cybersecurity professionals worldwide, and it is only expected to increase.  Currently, this imbalance is affecting both job seekers and career changers, reshaping the workforce and positioning cybersecurity as a field of unparalleled resilience and opportunity in the digital economy. In a world where skilled personnel are scarce, but essential to safeguarding critical infrastructure and sensitive data worldwide, cybersecurity has become one of the most valuable and resilient fields.  The concept of cybercrime, which consists of criminal activity that targets or exploits computers, networks, or connected devices, has evolved into a complex and globally networked threat ecosystem.  Cybercriminals continue to be motivated primarily by financial gain, but they are also influenced by political, ideological, or personal goals, such as espionage and disruption, which contributes to the increase in cybercrime attacks.  There are many kinds of threat actors, from loosely organized novice hackers to highly coordinated criminal syndicates with sophisticated tools and techniques. In emerging economies, internet penetration has steadily increased. As a result, regions like Africa have become increasingly the testing ground for new cyberattack techniques as they have deepened across emerging economies. GI-TOC (Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime) published a report that revealed that cybercrime has been rising steadily over the African continent in recent years, with Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, which is among the most digitally connected countries in sub-Saharan Africa, facing a constant attack from cybercriminals. There is evidence that malicious actors are testing new strains of ransomware and cyber-based attacks in these environments before they are deployed elsewhere, underscoring the global nature and adaptiveness of the threat. However, India is faced with a parallel challenge that is shaped by its digital transformation on a scale and at a pace that cannot be matched.  With the advent of online banking, e-commerce, government platforms, and mobile services, the country has seen a surge in cybercrime, affecting individuals and businesses alike. This is a result of the ongoing implementation of technology in everyday life.  According to official data released by the National Cyber Reporting Platform in 2024, over 1.7 million complaints about cybercrime were filed, an increase of more than 10 percent from last year. This is a result of a growing awareness of cybercrime and an increase in attacks.  It has been found that a significant proportion of these incidents were linked to transnational cybercrime hubs located in Southeast Asia. Thus, it highlights the limitations of purely domestic defenses against cybercrime. Several reports, such as PwC's Global Digital Trust Insights for India for 2025, rank cyber and digital risks among the top concerns for corporate leaders across the country.  Cyber and digital risks have also been ranked high in the assessment as prevalent concerns among Indian businesses. In addition to this, security researchers report that Indian websites receive millions of malicious requests every year, while attackers are increasingly targeting mobile applications and potentially exposed APIs, pointing to a strategic shift to disrupt connected and consumer-facing digital services and networks as a result.  As cybercrime becomes more sophisticated and sophisticated across Africa, structural weaknesses in law enforcement and regulatory capacity are compounding this problem, so there is an increasingly uneven playing field between the states and the sophisticated criminal networks that are well funded.  GI-TOC analysts noted that a number of law enforcement agencies in the continent lack advanced digital forensics capabilities, secure evidence storage systems, and real-time network monitoring technologies, as well as advanced digital forensics capabilities.  These limitations have a significant impact on the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate cybercriminal activities and dismantle transnational cybercriminals in a timely manner.  Due to this capability gap, attackers have enhanced their techniques by targeting vulnerable government institutions and businesses in critical sectors such as finance, energy, and manufacturing, so that they can then export these techniques to jurisdictions with strengthened defenses.  It is generally believed that ransomware and distributed denial-of-service attacks remain some of the most prevalent ways for hackers to disrupt economic and social systems, causing severe economic and social disruption. In terms of the financial toll, cyber incidents have cost African economies billions of dollars each year, and are causing a great deal of damage.  As a result of high-profile attacks, Ghana's national power distribution system has been disrupted, health and statistical agencies in Nigeria and South Africa have been compromised, sensitive customer data has been exposed in Namibia, and the Ugandan central bank has sustained considerable losses.  The incidents underscore the fragmentation of regulations, underdeveloped infrastructure, and lack of policy coordination that have made some parts of the African continent a hub of illicit activity. This includes the large-scale online fraud and the digitally enabled transnational crimes that are taking place there.  The GI-TOC estimates that in 2025, cybercrime would account for nearly one-third of reported criminal activity in West and East Africa, totaling approximately $3 billion in lost revenue and reputational damages, figures which, the organization warns may be understated due to systemic transparency gaps.  Cybercrime has emerged as one of the biggest vulnerabilities in the cybersecurity industry against this backdrop, and the shortage of cybersecurity professionals has become an even more critical concern.  A well-structured cybersecurity education has become a cornerstone of resilience, giving individuals the technical skills to identify weaknesses in systems, respond to evolving threats, and maintain ethical and regulatory standards as well as enabling them to identify system weaknesses.  It is now possible to take courses ranging from foundational courses covering networks, operating systems, to advanced, role-specific courses in cloud security, application protection, and governance, risk, and compliance, among others.  It is becoming increasingly important for national security and economic stability to develop a skilled, well-trained workforce in order to combat cyber threats that are becoming more complex and interconnected.  In addition to deploying technical defenses themselves, a single cyber incident can result in severe consequences, which extend well beyond the financial losses caused by the incident, ranging from data breaches to malware infections to ransomware attacks.  Based on the findings of the Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report 2024, there are a large number of businesses that have suffered a cyberattack over the past year. More than two-thirds of them report that they have experienced a rise in cyberattacks since the previous 12-month period, while half also report that they have experienced a rise in incidents during that period.  It is often difficult for organizations to attract new customers and retain existing clients due to a long-term fallout. Many organizations reported experiencing erosion of existing client relationships, and sustained reputational damage due to negative publicity.  There are many aspects of these attacks that are not limited to businesses, but also individuals caught in them, who may face identity theft, direct financial loss, and a loss of trust in digital systems as a result.  The emergence of remote work and hybrid work models has made small and medium-sized enterprises or SME's particularly attractive targets, especially due to the greater digital attack surfaces they offer and the increase in security resources they already have.  There have been a significant number of high-profile incidents involving widely used service providers and their trusted third-party vendors, highlighting the fact that cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting supply chain vulnerabilities to compromise multiple organizations simultaneously. As reported by a number of industry experts, SMEs are often unable to cope with the financial and operational shocks resulting from a successful cyberattack.  In fact, a substantial number are indicating that they may have to suspend operations if such an event occurs. In response to the escalating threat environment, governments and international bodies have increased their efforts to coordinate and regulate. A growing number of law enforcement agencies across borders are collaborating more closely with one another, while new legislative frameworks, including strengthened European network security directives and global cybercrime conventions, are bringing greater accountability to organizations regarding the safeguarding and strengthening of information, and the timely disclosure of breaches as part of a broad effort to reduce cybercrime's economic and social costs. The combination of all of these developments suggests that the world is entering a turning point in its digital economy, where cybersecurity is no longer just a niche function, but has become a fundamental element needed for sustained growth and public trust.  Despite the fact that cyber threats continue to transcend borders, sectors, and technologies, the effective governance and response to future cyber threats will be dependent on ensuring that strong policy frameworks are in place, cross-border cooperation is encouraged, and sustained investments in human capital are made.  Cybersecurity education and reskilling programs can help to create inclusive economic opportunities as well as close workforce gaps, particularly in regions that are most vulnerable to digital threats.  While organizations need to move beyond reactive security models in order to remain compliant with the threat landscape, they should also make sure they build cyber resilience into their business strategies, supply chain governance practices, and technology designs from the very beginning.  Having clear accountability, regular risk assessments, and transparent incident reporting can further strengthen collective defenses.  In the end, as digital systems become more intertwined with daily life and critical infrastructure, it is imperative to create a cybersecurity ecosystem that is resilient so that not only financial and operational losses can be minimized, but confidence in the digital transformation that is shaping economies globally will also be reinforced.

Surge in Cybercrime Undermines Online Safety Efforts #CybersecurityEducation #CybersecurityWorkforce #DataBreach

District 15 outlines PowerSchool analytics, Securly AI chat pilot and cybersecurity steps Technology leaders told the board the district migrated to PowerSchool analytics, switched web filtering to Securly (including a Securly AI chat pilot for middle schools), implemented Incident IQ for support tickets and is expanding network detection and multi-factor authentication to reduce cybersecurity risk.

Palatine CCSD 15 is revolutionizing education with new tech tools, AI pilots, and enhanced cybersecurity measures to ensure a safe learning environment for students.

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#IL #DigitalSafety #CybersecurityEducation #AIInnovation #CitizenPortal

Old Dominion University Becomes First University to Earn Nsa Cybersecurity Validation for AI Academic Programs Old Dominion University sets new standards with first NSA validation for AI & cybersecurity programs! 🚀 #CybersecurityEducation #AIInnovation #ODUnews.

Old Dominion University Becomes First University to Earn Nsa Cybersecurity Validation for AI Academic Programs

Old Dominion University sets new standards with first NSA validation for AI & cybersecurity programs! 🚀 #CybersecurityEducation #AIInnovation #ODUnews.

Parents and experts press Beaverton board to tighten Chromebook filters and GenAI access; CIO says filters, telemetry and ERP changes underway Parents and experts urged immediate changes to district Chromebook filtering and parental consent around generative AI; CIO Steve Langford briefed the board on cyberthreat volume, device filtering by grade level, telemetry and an ERP implementation scheduled in January and June.

Parents and experts are pushing for tighter controls on Beaverton School District's Chromebooks, citing concerns over student safety and legal risks from unrestricted internet access.

Learn more here

#OR #DigitalAccess #CybersecurityEducation #StudentSafety

Board told Richcrest safe room is under construction; district outlines bond planning, tech upgrades and multiple grants Finance director Laura Pacino told the board the Richcrest safe room is now being built, district buildings need infrastructure attention and the district has secured multiple grants (including a $1,000,000 McMahon Foundation award for auditorium renovations).

Exciting developments are underway at Lawton Public Schools with the construction of the Richcrest safe room and a $1 million grant for auditorium renovations!

Get the details!

#OK #GrantFunding #InfrastructureImprovement #CybersecurityEducation #CitizenPortal

Waunakee committee forwards four course proposals, including AP Seminar and cybersecurity-focused AP Computer Science Principles The Waunakee Curriculum Committee voted to send four course proposals to the full board, including a replacement AP Seminar for English 10 and a year-long AP Computer Science Principles course with a cybersecurity focus; administrators said the new offerings are meant to expand access and are expected to be FTE neutral.

The Waunakee School District is shaking up its curriculum with exciting new AP courses, including a dynamic AP Seminar and a cutting-edge cybersecurity-focused Computer Science Principles class!

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#WI #CitizenPortal #AdvancedLearning #CybersecurityEducation

PAM – Privileged Access Management » tmack Understanding and championing Privileged Access Management is not just about keeping the lights on; it’s about safeguarding the organization's most valuable assets. It's a key part of your journey from a practitioner to a strategic security leader.

🚀 Ready to take your first steps in IT? Understanding acronyms like #PAM (Privileged Access Management) is crucial! #ITCommunity #TechSavvy #CybersecurityEducation

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UAH gains board approval for counseling master’s and cybersecurity business major The Board approved a 60‑hour Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UAH aligned with state licensure standards, and a new BSBA major in Cybersecurity Management designed to integrate business and technical training with professional certification pathways.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is stepping up to meet workforce demands with new degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Cybersecurity Management—preparing students for vital roles in today's job market!

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#AL #CybersecurityEducation #WorkforceDevelopment

Ralston board reviews tech plan: live translation, AI pilots and strengthened cybersecurity District leaders outlined a multi‑year technology plan that includes live classroom translation, Clever single sign‑on and a pilot of Google’s Gemini Plus for staff, along with network rebuilds and expanded cybersecurity training.

Ralston schools are revolutionizing the classroom experience with new tech tools for live translation and AI-driven lesson planning, all while strengthening cybersecurity measures.

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#NE #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #MultilingualSupport #CybersecurityEducation

UAH approves track complex, expanded cybersecurity center and Exploration Plaza phase 1 planning The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) received committee approval for three items: a revised track and field complex budget (~$15.4M), an expanded scope and budget for the Center for Cybersecurity Research, Education and Advanced Training (now $47.6M), and authorization to negotiate a predevelopment agreement fo

UAH is set to transform its campus with a $15.4M track complex, an expanded $47.6M Cybersecurity Center, and the ambitious $247.6M Exploration Plaza project!

Learn more here

#AL #CommunityCollaboration #CybersecurityEducation #InfrastructureDevelopment

Over 30 teams from 20+ schools joined the ISC2 NJ Chapter’s 2nd Annual CTF for Novices at Saint Peter’s University—diving into encryption, steganography, and packet analysis while building skills and community. #CybersecurityEducation #ISC2ChapterNJ

FBI supervisor tells Virginia school IT leaders ransomware, phishing and credential theft remain top threats An FBI cyber supervisor told Virginia CyberCon attendees that ransomware and credential‑theft attacks continue to disrupt instruction and that schools should share logs with law enforcement to help investigations.

K-12 schools are under siege from ransomware and cyber threats, jeopardizing student learning and safety—are you prepared to defend your systems?

Learn more here

#VA #CitizenPortal #RansomwareThreats #VirginiaK12 #CybersecurityEducation #IncidentResponse

Virginia CyberCon brings about 60 school-division technology leaders together to plan stronger K‑12 cybersecurity Louisa County hosted Virginia CyberCon 2025, a one‑day conference of technology directors, superintendents and vendors focused on ransomware preparation, incident response and hands‑on exercises for K‑12 school systems.

Virginia CyberCon 2025 united 60 school divisions in a groundbreaking event to tackle K-12 cybersecurity challenges head-on with hands-on exercises and expert insights.

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#VA #CitizenPortal #K12Security #VirginiaSchools #CybersecurityEducation #IncidentResponse

Elwood auditors give district a clean opinion; technology risks flagged, fund balance falls $1.25 million External auditors gave Elwood Union Free School District an unmodified (clean) opinion for the 2024–25 financial statements while the internal audit of technology identified several cybersecurity and IT-control weaknesses. The districts total fund equity fell by about $1.25 million to $10.6 million; unassigned general-fund balance was $3.1 million

Elwood Union Free School District received a clean external audit, but a $1.25 million drop in fund balance raises concerns about financial flexibility and technology vulnerabilities.

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#NY #CitizenPortal #NewYorkSchools #AuditCompliance #CybersecurityEducation

Elwood auditors give district a clean opinion; technology risks flagged, fund balance falls $1.25 million External auditors gave Elwood Union Free School District an unmodified (clean) opinion for the 2024–25 financial statements while the internal audit of technology identified several cybersecurity and IT-control weaknesses. The districts total fund equity fell by about $1.25 million to $10.6 million; unassigned general-fund balance was $3.1 million

Elwood Union Free School District received a clean audit opinion, but significant cybersecurity risks and a $1.25 million drop in fund balance raise questions about future financial flexibility.

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#NY #CitizenPortal #BudgetManagement #NewYorkSchools #CybersecurityEducation

Lake Central High School outlines 26 CTE pathways and pilots College Board cybersecurity course High school staff told the board the district offers 13 in-house CTE pathways and 13 more through the Hammond Area Career Center, reported gains in pathway completion and credentialing, and described participation in a College Board pilot for AP-style cybersecurity coursework.

Lake Central High School is leading the way in Career and Technical Education with 26 pathways, including a groundbreaking cybersecurity pilot program from the College Board!

Learn more here

#IN #CitizenPortal #CommunityEngagement #CybersecurityEducation

DSPM – Data Security Posture Management » tmack The old security models can’t keep up. Embracing a data-centric approach like DSPM is not just a smart career move. It shows you're thinking proactively and strategically about the future of cybersecurity.

📊 Curious about how Data Security Posture Management (#DSPM) works? My latest #ITAcronym blog breaks down its core principles, from data discovery to automated remediation.

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#ITBasics #CybersecurityEducation