the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, around this time each year, students, faculty, parents, and guardians across New Jersey prepare for the beginning of a new academic school year. Similar to last year, the 2021-2022 school year will be unlike those prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. While remote learning may not be as integral in all school districts this year, the continued use of technology in school and at home still present significant cybersecurity challenges. The education sector continues to be one of the most targeted sectors by cyber threat actors who take advantage of the distracted or unaware user base, potentially unpatched systems and applications, and vulnerable networks in order to collect sensitive data, deliver malware, pilfer monetary funds, and launch ransomware attacks. It is vital for students, teachers, parents, and guardians to maintain an awareness of current cyber threats and employ best practices to increase their resiliency and prevent victimization. Educational institutions are also highly encouraged to review the “Achieving Cyber Resilience: Free Resources for K-12 Schools” document and corresponding webinar recording for information on cybersecurity best practices and featured presentations from the NJCCIC, CISA, MS-ISAC, and FBI on the free resources available via their respective organizations.
