Strengthening K-12 Cybersecurity with Lightspeed Solutions

As technology continues to transform education, it offers remarkable opportunities for personalized learning and enhanced accessibility. However, these advancements also introduce new risks.

K-12 schools have increasingly become targets for cyberattacks, with 80% reporting incidents in 2022 alone. Ransomware constituted about 20% of these breaches, while stolen credentials (hacking) accounted for 40%, and phishing made up roughly 20%. From January 2023 to June 2024, K12 SIX reported at least 83 potential ransomware attacks on school districts, with 21 occurring in the first half of this year. This highlights the urgent need to safeguard students, staff, and sensitive data more than ever.

This is where Lightspeed Systems shines. By providing comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, Lightspeed plays a pivotal role in helping districts protect their networks, devices, and data. Our solutions, such as Lightspeed Filter, go beyond traditional content filtering to include advanced protection against phishing, malware, and ransomware. With over 22 million students protected, and 3.5 billion security threat requests blocked each year, our dynamic AI database ensures that no harmful content slips through the cracks.

One of the standout features of Lightspeed Filter is its ability to block risky or unknown sites, giving districts a robust defense against emerging threats. Additionally, Lightspeed integrates seamlessly with existing firewalls and security systems, providing an extra layer of protection wherever students and staff may access the internet.

I use Lightspeed Filter and Lightspeed Digital Insight in tandem as one of our technical control tools as part of our larger district cybersecurity and compliance strategy. From a data security and privacy perspective, this solution gives me a full picture of device activity and visibility into applications, services, and websites being used so I can act when necessary to block malicious sites.

As cyber threats evolve, so must your defenses. With Lightspeed Systems, districts can confidently protect their communities and stay ahead of the ever-changing landscape of digital threats.