October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and for many educators, the importance of safe and secure online usage is more relevant than ever. Cybersecurity incidents are on the rise in schools across the nation, and they can not only disrupt education and daily operations, they can also leave students’ and faculty’s personal information vulnerable to exploitation.

Teaching students the importance of online safety is crucial to the students’ development and well-being—and it’s important for adults, too! Today’s centralized focus on technology poses amazing advancements for the world of education but also may create potential dangers. Here are some tips and resources for both educators and students alike:

• Read our ATPE News feature Ransomware on the Rise: What Is It, and How Can Districts and Educators Protect Themselves?
• The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) website houses tip sheets and resources for reducing cybersecurity risks and protecting yourself.
• Alongside the CISA, the National Cyber Security Alliance co-leads National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and has a wealth of information at staysafeonline.org/cybersecurity-awareness-month, including an overview of the month, resources, and events.
• Use two-factor authentication to secure all of your accounts—both personal and professional—and remember not to reuse your passwords.
• Connect your devices only to networks you know are safe, especially while in public places.
• Know your local district policy regarding the work-related use of district-provided and personal devices. 

As the world of technology changes, it is important to stay vigilant for misinformation, cyberattacks, or phishing scams on the web. Take time this National Cybersecurity Awareness Month to better understand how to protect yourself and others online!