AI, cell bans, and a preview of Cybersecure 2025

Welcome to issue #2 of the Cybersecure K-12 Newsletter, a place to find expert insights and practical tips on protecting student identities and access.

Protecting student identities and ensuring secure access has never been more critical in K-12 education. With evolving challenges like uncertainty related to E-Rate funding, the rapid rise of AI, and shifting district policies on personal devices, schools must adapt to safeguard digital safety without disrupting learning. Students’ digital footprints are growing more complex, and effective authentication methods are key to balancing data protection with practical school needs.

This issue dives into these pressing topics, offering actionable insights and highlights from our upcoming 2025 Cybersecure Report , featuring fresh data from over 500 K-12 administrators and IT leaders.

The Cellphone Ban Dilemma

As 18 states move to ban cell phones, schools face a dilemma: 75% of admins say their district relies on personal devices for security authentication, yet 60% of districts are banning or considering banning phones. This tension between policy and security could complicate future protections for student identities and data.

Cybersecurity Tip

Clever’s cellphone-free solution, Classroom MFA helps districts secure student accounts without conflicting with districts’ cellphone bans, offering a policy-friendly way to strengthen classroom security. Learn more .

AI in Education: Risk or Tool for Security?

Our forthcoming annual survey on the state of K-12 identity management and cybersecurity, Cybersecure, found that while 70% of administrators feel AI poses cybersecurity risks, only 46% of districts have processes to vet AI in edtech–and just 9% have formal protocols.?

This gap suggests a need for strong processes and systems for vetting new solutions coming into schools and ways to take advantage of, while rightsizing, AI’s potential to help detect, predict, and respond to cyber threats. Our friends at EdTech Insiders recently released a gen AI market map to help educators begin to sort through the wide variety of current solutions. This edition does not have an explicit focus on cybersecurity or student safety, but is a great resource for readers interested in seeing currently available AI tools for schools.

Tech Director Chad Meyer on Controlled Rollout of AI Tools

Milwaukee Public Schools recently updated its acceptable use policies to permit controlled AI tool usage among staff and students. While staff have been granted access, student access remains limited to vetted tools, aiming to address concerns similar to when Google first emerged in education. The district is gradually introducing AI through staff training and tool vetting, balancing innovation with security and privacy considerations.

• Challenge: Concerns about data privacy and the potential misuse of AI tools in educational settings.
• Strategy: Allow limited access by approving specific AI tools, providing professional development, and vetting each tool thoroughly.
• Recommendation for IT teams: Gradually expand AI access, ensuring both staff and students are well-trained and that privacy measures are consistently enforced.

Source: Webinar interview with K12 SIX

Poll: How should K-12 schools prioritize cybersecurity with the rise of AI?

Click one of the following options and submit your vote to participate in our anonymous poll:

1. Focus on student data protection first
2. Invest in AI-specific security tools and software
3. Educate staff on AI-driven cyber threats
4. Regularly update security protocols for AI integration

I’ll share the results on LinkedIn.

What I’m reading

1. Biden Administration Asks Supreme Court to Spare Huge E-Rate Funding Source (EdWeek, 10/1/2024)
2. DOE Chief Information Officer Intekhab Shakil shares cyber safety methods (NY1, 10/27/2024)
3. Can A.I. Be Blamed for a Teen’s Suicide? A gripping report of the battle between the mother of a teen in Florida who ended his life too soon and the team at Character.AI (NYT, 10/24/24)

Where I’m going:?

• ExcelinEd National Summit on Education, Oklahoma City, OK: We’ll be interested to see how education policymakers,advocates, and state leaders are thinking about 2025 legislative sessions.
• NYSCATE Annual Conference, Verona, NY: Excited to hear from educators & technology experts share what’s happening across New York–we’re even hosting a reception to hear more!?
• Association of Education Service Agencies (AESA) Annual Conference, Orlando, FL: Leaders of ESAs across the country are supporting districts and educators in numerous ways–and we’re thrilled to help them make schools safer from cyber threats.
• NICE K12 Cybersecurity Education Conference , San Antonio, TX: I’ll serve as moderator of the closing general session panel entitled “Navigating the Intersection of Cybersecurity, AI, and Education.”
• Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC), Orlando, FL: Our Clever team (including me!) hopes to see many of you at FETC in late January.

Reply to this email or send me a LinkedIn message if you’d like to connect at any of these events!

Where I’ve been:

• PACE Summit from USED & UC Berkeley, Washington, DC: Clever shared reflections on adding MFA to administrator logins with other solution providers and federal officials gathered by UC Berkeley to discuss best cybersecurity practices in K12 education.
• SETDA Annual Conference & Ed Forum, Arlington, VA: I was thrilled to participate in a jam-packed, four-day gathering of state edtech officials and those who support their work.
• National Forum to Advance Rural Education, Savannah, GA: Clever hosted a welcome reception with our partners at Discovery Education at this largest national education gathering focused on rural students.
• A few more: We also hit the KIPP School Summit in Orlando, the National Digital Equity Summit as well as the EDSAFE AI Alliance AI Congressional Briefing in Washington, DC, a training from the FCC about the E-Rate program in Dallas, TX, and STEM Connector’s Innovation Forum in Las Vegas, NV.