Safeguarding sensitive information is paramount — especially in educational environments where data security impacts not just staff and administration but, importantly, students. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) stands out as an essential security measure for K-12 schools, offering a robust defense against the increasing incidents of cyber threats and data breaches.
However, as our recent webinar Practical Strategies for Improving School Cyber Resilience revealed, implementing MFA can also present a behavior change that some students, staff and faculty are resistant to embrace. That said, IT leaders argue MFA should no longer be optional.
This blog post explores why implementing MFA is an effective step for K-12 school IT teams to take when bolstering their data security and cyber resiliency. It also details the advantages and challenges associated with doing so.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security system that requires more than one method of authentication from independent categories of credentials to verify the user's identity for a login or other transaction. Unlike traditional security processes that rely on only one factor — typically a password — MFA requires additional verification from at least one other source. This can include something you know (a password or PIN), something you have (a smartphone or security token), or something you are (biometrics such as fingerprints or facial recognition).
With schools increasingly incorporating technology into their daily operations, from online learning platforms to cloud-based attendance and grading systems, the need for robust security measures has never been greater. MFA adds an essential layer of protection, making it significantly harder for unauthorized parties to access sensitive data even if they have compromised one security layer. For instance, even if a password is stolen, the presence of MFA would require the attacker to also have access to a second factor, dramatically reducing the likelihood of a successful breach.
“Most insurance companies [in our state] have now required multi-factor authentication on end users. So we have instituted multi-factor authentication to give a different level and layer of security.”
- Jeremy Miller, Director of Technology, Middlebury Community Schools
The adoption of multi-factor authentication significantly mitigates several cybersecurity risks. Here are key threats that MFA helps prevent in K-12 school settings:
Implementing MFA in a K-12 environment involves the following steps:
The implementation of MFA brings several advantages:
By implementing MFA, IT teams can achieve greater peace of mind and turn their attention to maintaining a safe and secure educational environment.
While the benefits are clear, schools may face challenges when implementing MFA:
However, the advantages far outway the challenges when it comes to fortifying the protection and security of sensitive information within schools.
The adoption of multi-factor authentication is a critical step in fortifying the cybersecurity posture of K-12 schools. By understanding and navigating the complexities of MFA, schools can enhance their ability to protect sensitive data and provide a safer educational environment.
One of our most frequent recommendations to clients is the implementation of comprehensive control coverage assessments through our platform. It not only identifies discrepancies, it also actively manages them to ensure a robust defense against potential vulnerabilities.
This capability is reflected in the Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) scoring integrated within our system, which provides a detailed and actionable snapshot of your school’s cybersecurity posture. By leveraging these solutions, school districts can achieve a higher level of cyber resilience, fostering an environment where security measures are not only implemented but continuously monitored and improved.
To learn more about internal best practices for building better cyber resilience, check out our webinar here.