Fall 2024 Building a Better Future update: Cybersecurity measures

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and earlier this month Anthony Padrnos, executive director of technology, updated the board on cybersecurity issues that K-12 schools face today and what Osseo Area Schools is doing to combat these threats.

Padrnos cited the top five K-12 security concerns as follows: Lack of sufficient funding to address cybersecurity, increasing sophistication of threats, lack of documented process, lack of a cybersecurity strategy and inadequate availability of cybersecurity professionals. 

Fortunately, the community’s support of the district’s Building a Better Future plan allows Osseo Area Schools additional funding to work more proactively against cybersecurity attacks. 

"Thanks to the generous support of our community in renewing the technology levy, part of our larger Building a Better Future initiative, we have the essential resources to protect our students, staff, and families from cybercrime," said Padrnos. "This support allows us to implement both proactive and responsive strategies, monitoring and addressing potential threats every day to ensure a safe and secure digital environment."

The district partners with multiple security organizations and agencies and the West Metro Security Consortium, made up of six area school districts. It utilizes security tools such as Nessus vulnerability scanner, Microsoft Defender and Fortinet to mitigate security threats. 

Some of the multitude of strategies the district uses to ward off cyber attacks include annual training on digital security for all employees, tabletop exercise with district and school leadership, monthly scanning assessments and quarterly phishing assessments. A digital security plan, an incident response plan and backup recovery plans help to ensure the district is prepared when security concerns arise.