Cyber Threats to K-12 Remote Learning Education

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has seen an increase in malicious activity with ransomware attacks against K-12 educational institutions. Malicious cyber actors are targeting school computer systems, slowing access, and rendering the systems inaccessible to basic functions, including remote learning. In some instances, ransomware actors stole and threatened to leak confidential student data unless institutions paid a ransom.

Since March, uninvited users have disrupted live-conferenced classroom settings by verbally harassing students, displaying pornography and violent images, and doxing meeting attendees.

For detailed information on these threats and actions to take, visit the Joint Cybersecurity Advisory on this topic, jointly developed by CISA, FBI, and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center.