Ransomware Attacks and the Importance of Collaboration in District-Level Cybersecurity Risk Management. Fact Sheet

Cybersecurity remains a critical concern for school systems nationwide, showing a consistent increase in publicly disclosed K-12 cyber incidents over the past 5 years. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's 2024 Homeland Threat Assessment underscores this trend, predicting ongoing targeting of K-12 school networks by cyber actors who will continue to seek access to school networks, noting that "K-12 school districts have been a near constant ransomware target due to school systems' IT budget constraints and lack of dedicated resources." This fact sheet guides administrators, educators, support staff, and IT staff through the prevention, response, and recovery stages of a ransomware incident at the district level. It also highlights tested strategies and the importance of collaboration with key stakeholders.