Collaboration and information sharing

  • 4 minutes

K-12 entities face a dual challenge—limited funding for cybersecurity resources and the constant onslaught of evolving threats. In this ever-changing landscape, no one entity has the capacity to do it all. As a school IT professional, one way you can effectively combat these challenges is to emphasize collaboration and information sharing within your cybersecurity networks.

Through collective knowledge and shared insights, K-12 organizations can stay informed of emerging threats and allocate their limited resources strategically. With this approach, your IT and school leadership teams can make informed decisions and fortify your defenses against potential risks, ultimately safeguarding sensitive data and providing a secure digital environment for students and staff alike.

Cybersecurity collaboration groups

CISA recommends that K-12 school leadership and IT teams join a growing, active network of cybersecurity collaboration groups. Membership in these groups can provide several benefits, including:

  • Enhanced security practices and resources
  • Knowledge sharing
  • Professional development
  • Incident response and recovery support
  • Partnerships and advocacy
  • Compliance and regulatory guidance

Forging a partnership with cybersecurity collaboration groups can go a long way to strengthening your school's resilience against evolving cyber threats.

Next steps

  1. Explore two cybersecurity information sharing groups vetted and recommended by CISA.
    • The K12 Security Information eXchange (K12 SIX) is a national non-profit organization dedicated solely to protecting the K-12 community—including school districts, charter schools, private schools, and regional and state education agencies—from emerging cybersecurity threats.
    • The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) offers a free and voluntary membership for state and local governments, public K-12 education entities, public institutions of higher education, and any other nonfederal public entity in the US.
  2. As you build your school cybersecurity plan, state programs and emergency planners can provide school safety expertise specific to each state. To begin, visit Schoolsafety.gov and select your state. Save any local programs, resources, and contacts for future reference.
  3. Make a list of next steps you'll need to take to join a collaboration, and which team members are responsible for each step. Consider these questions:
    • Which information sharing groups are best aligned to the cybersecurity needs and goals of your organization?
    • What information gaps could they potentially fill?