K-12 Cybersecurity Resilience Initiative
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Presented through a partnership between the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE), Maryland Center for School Safety (MCSS), Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM), Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT), and Local Education Agencies (LEAs), the K-12 initiative aims to enhance cybersecurity resilience for K-12 schools throughout the state.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, schools must take proactive measures to protect sensitive student and staff data. This program will help school systems do just that - providing resources & tools to address the increasing number of documented cyber threats against educational institutions, as well as for mitigation & recovery from cyber incidents.
Explore below to learn more about the benefits & resources this unique partnership provides,
and sign up to receive support from for your own school system!
The K-12 Cybersecurity Resilience initiative aims to provide assistance to educational organizations in the following areas:
Planning
1.
Cybersecurity Maturity Assessment
Reviewing previous cybersecurity assessments helps determine the current status of an organization's security measures by analyzing past vulnerabilities, implemented controls, and areas of improvement. This process involves examining previous audit reports, risk assessments, and incident response records to identify trends and recurring issues to ensure your agency is NIST compliant.
2.
Current Plan Assessment
Reviewing current Emergency Operations and Cyber Response plans involves evaluating the effectiveness and readiness of an organization's strategies for handling cybersecurity incidents and other emergencies. This process includes examining documented procedures, communication protocols, and roles and responsibilities outlined in the plans.
3. Resource Allocation Analysis
This process involves recognizing the necessary resources required to enhance an organization's cybersecurity capabilities and strategically allocating them for maximum impact. It includes identifying areas where additional support is needed, such as employee training programs to improve security awareness or advanced vulnerability assessment tools to strengthen threat detection and mitigation efforts.
4. Training Program Setup
Providing support in organizing and managing training schedules and resources involves coordinating cybersecurity training sessions, ensuring availability of instructors, materials, and necessary tools. This includes scheduling sessions at appropriate times, assigning relevant personnel, and securing training environments, whether in-person or virtual.
Implementation
1. Remediation Recommendations
Conducting cybersecurity assessments allows organizations to systematically identify vulnerabilities within their systems, networks, and processes. These assessments help uncover security weaknesses, misconfigurations, and potential threats that could be exploited by malicious actors. This involves prioritizing risks based on severity, implementing security controls, updating policies, and enhancing security awareness among employees.
2. Response Plan Development
Collaborating with your school system to develop a cyber incident response plan involves working closely with school administrators, IT staff, and educators to establish a structured approach to identifying, mitigating, and responding to cybersecurity threats. The process includes defining roles and responsibilities, establishing communication protocols, and implementing proactive security measures.
3. Disaster Recovery & COOP Support
Collaborating closely with your school system to design, develop, and implement comprehensive Disaster Recovery and Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans. Our partnership focuses on identifying potential risks, establishing effective response strategies, and ensuring that critical educational functions can continue seamlessly in the event of emergencies or disruptions. Through tailored guidance, resource planning, and coordinated efforts, we aim to enhance your school's resilience, safeguard student and staff welfare, and support a swift recovery to normal operations.
4. Training & Exercise
Organizing and facilitating comprehensive training sessions and cybersecurity exercises designed to enhance awareness, build technical skills, and strengthen your organization's ability to respond to cyber threats. These sessions focus on educating staff about best practices, identifying vulnerabilities, and simulating real-world cyber incidents to improve preparedness, incident response, and overall security posture.
Support
1. Funding Notifications
Providing regular updates and information to schools about opportunities for funding future improvements.
2. Ongoing Support & Assistance
Access the K-12 Cybersecurity Resilience Initiative network to tap into continuously available help, advice, and resources for supporting school response & recovery efforts.
Find something that catches your eye? Use the button below to request assistance in one or more of the support areas listed above. We look forward to working with you to help make and keep Maryland schools cyber-safe!
Request K-12 Cyber Resilience Initiative Support
Questions?