Understand the importance of cybersecurity

  • 8 minutes

In daily life we rely heavily on the internet, whether it's keeping in touch with loved ones, banking online, or shopping. For families, this also means helping children engage in activities like gaming, web browsing for homework, and streaming movies and shows. Like teaching children to look both ways before crossing the street, it's important to help them understand how to exercise caution when using the internet.

Cyberattacks on K-12 schools, and consequently on children, became a serious concern in recent years. With the widespread adoption of a wide range of digital tools for teaching and learning, schools became a rich target for cybercriminals looking to exploit vulnerabilities in these systems. It's worth noting that schools, due to limited resources and technical expertise, may face challenges in addressing these concerns.

Over the past five years, there was a significant increase in reported cyber incidents focused on schools. Since 2016, the K12 Security Information eXchange cataloged over 1,619 incidents, a rate of more than one incident per school day. These attacks disrupt daily operations, compromise sensitive data, and in some cases, even endanger students and staff.

Graph of cybersecurity incidents in US K-12 schools from 2016-2021 showing a large increase in incidents of data breach, ransomware, B E C, D D o S, Invasion, and other.

Source: Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency

In collaboration between the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and education industry stakeholders, the Protecting Our Future report, released in January 2023, highlights key findings and recommendations for safeguarding K-12 organizations from cybersecurity threats. It suggests practical steps like using extra verification for security, keeping software up to date, and having backup plans. The study also talks about finding creative ways to get enough resources, sharing information with others, and working together to make schools more resilient to cyber risks.

Being proactive in educating your child or children about cybersecurity is not just a personal responsibility but a crucial aspect of protecting educational institutions and children.

What is cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is how you safeguard yourself and your family from online criminals or unfamiliar users. Picture it like this: just as the police protect banks from robberies, you act as the "police" for your information, and your device serves as the "bank" that stores all kinds of information about you and your loved ones – be it a phone, tablet, or computer.

Why is cybersecurity important to me and my family?

Understanding how to safeguard yourself on the internet is the initial step in ensuring the safety of you and your child in the digital world. Even if you're already familiar with some of the concepts in this module, it's beneficial to have a refresher and understand how to support your child with some of the online challenges they may encounter. Why?

  • Given the ever-evolving nature of the internet, staying safe may require adopting new strategies and practicing them frequently with your child.
  • Revisiting this information helps your child enhance their ability to protect themselves and your family.
  • Cybersecurity is an integral part of responsibly navigating the online world and being a responsible digital citizen.
  • Your child may be learning about cybersecurity at school using resources like Minecraft Education’s cyber and digital safety lessons.

Learning about cybersecurity helps your child’s digital citizenship, data privacy, and future career opportunities.

  • Digital citizenship: Digital citizenship involves behaving responsibly and respectfully while utilizing the internet and technology. Understanding cybersecurity is crucial for digital citizenship as it empowers individuals to navigate the online world safely and identify potential threats. For instance, practices that contribute to being a responsible digital citizen include refraining from sharing personal information with unknown individuals online and verifying sources to avoid spreading false information.
  • Data privacy: Gaining knowledge about cybersecurity is essential for safeguarding your data privacy to protect your personally identifiable information (PII), such as your name, address, and phone number. With a strong understanding of cybersecurity, you and your child can shield your PII from individuals with malicious intentions, preventing them from using it inappropriately—such as attempting to open new credit cards in their name or posing as them online.
  • Future careers: Understanding cybersecurity not only ensures online safety but also opens doors to future career opportunities. Cybersecurity professionals safeguard devices and critical information from potential threats. Exciting roles within cybersecurity include being a cybersecurity analyst who defends against online threats or a forensic analyst who investigates cybercrimes. By learning about cybersecurity together with your child, you help them prepare for thrilling careers that contribute to maintaining a secure digital environment for everyone.

Learn together

Explore these resources with your child to help foster their cybersecurity awareness: