Report places spotlight on need for cybersecurity in schools

Cybersecurity software provider, Keeper Security, has released its latest report, Cybersecurity in Schools: Safeguarding Students in the Digital Era.

The global study – which highlights the growing cybersecurity challenges that threaten educational institutions – is based on a survey of 6,000 parents and students across multiple countries.

This includes Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, France, the UK, US and DACH regions.

Key findings in the report

According to an announcement, the report places a strong focus on the disconnect between parental trust and the actual cybersecurity practices happening in their children’s schools.

The report suggests that only 14% of schools mandate security awareness training and that only 21% provide guidance on secure password management.

19% of respondents admitted to reusing the same passwords across personal and school accounts.

Other findings suggest that while 74% of parents express confidence in their child’s school’s cybersecurity measures, only 21% report receiving any guidance on secure password management.

Moreover, only 9% of schools offer access to password managers and 14% of schools mandate security awareness training (with a mere 13% offering it as an option).

“Schools must prioritise cybersecurity”

“Schools play a pivotal role in educating and protecting students, but there is still a significant shortfall in cybersecurity readiness that must be addressed,” said Darren Guccione, CEO and Co-founder, Keeper Security.

“As digital tools increasingly become embedded in education, schools must prioritise cybersecurity education and provide resources to enable students to protect themselves from evolving online threats.”

To read the full report – which also includes findings related to the consequences of cybersecurity incidents in schools and the role parents have in safeguarding students – click here.