Rogue Apps: Cybersecurity Threats in K-12 Schools

In today’s digital age, students and teachers use a staggering number of apps daily, with the average K-12 district having 2,055 apps in use and the average student accessing 72 different apps for school. While technology enhances education, it also exposes districts to new security risks—especially when rogue or unvetted apps are introduced into the learning environment without proper oversight.

With Lightspeed Digital Insight, districts now have the tools to identify and manage these hidden risks. Our platform provides visibility into all the applications running across devices, ensuring that apps are not only safe but also compliant with privacy regulations. Our work with schools getting started with Lightspeed Digital Insight shows that 50% of apps used in schools are unvetted or rogue, putting student data at risk. Moreover, most apps change their privacy policies multiple times a year, often without notifying users. This can lead to sensitive personal information, like students’ PII, being unknowingly exposed.

Lightspeed Digital Insight helps IT administrators stay ahead of these risks by offering automatic privacy policy scanning and change notifications. Plus, with integrations to 1EdTech and SDPC, districts can easily vet and approve apps in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Our teachers were using over 900 apps and websites. We are in the process of whittling that number down to ensure the apps and websites they are using align with our curriculum, state standards, and COPPA regulations.

By using Lightspeed Digital Insight, districts not only mitigate risks but also make informed decisions on which apps to keep, block, or replace, all while enhancing both cybersecurity and instructional quality. The fight against cyber threats requires constant vigilance, and with Lightspeed Systems, districts can ensure their cybersecurity strategies are comprehensive and future-proof.