With K–12 schools embracing cloud technology to enhance learning and streamline operations, security concerns are increasingly under the spotlight. According to a new report from CDW, 83% of schools now run at least a quarter of their applications in the cloud. This shift promises benefits like enhanced storage, easier access to updates, and greater flexibility in deploying new educational technologies. Yet, along with these advantages comes a growing need for robust security protocols to safeguard sensitive data and ensure safe cloud migration.
K–12 IT leaders face a unique set of challenges in this transition. The CDW report highlights that more than half of surveyed schools cited “security and privacy concerns” as a top obstacle in moving on-premises applications to the cloud. Given the rise in cyberattacks targeting educational institutions, these concerns are well-founded. The Consortium for School Networking’s (CoSN) “State of EdTech District Leadership” report underscores this, noting that cybersecurity has been the leading priority for K–12 IT administrators for the last three years.
In addition to cybersecurity worries, many schools struggle with the technical aspects of integrating their existing systems with cloud solutions. CDW’s survey found that over 53% of IT leaders point to the integration of disparate security solutions as a key hurdle. This fragmentation can create security gaps, making it harder to achieve unified controls and maintain a clear security framework across cloud environments. Without integrated security solutions, districts face a heightened risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
The Skills Gap in Cloud Management
Another obstacle complicating cloud adoption for schools is the lack of in-house expertise. CDW’s report reveals that 42% of respondents attribute their challenges to a “lack of onsite cloud skills.” With limited budgets, many K–12 schools do not have the resources to employ full-time cloud security professionals, leaving them dependent on third-party providers and cloud management platforms. These external providers help bridge the gap, but outsourcing can also increase dependency on external parties to address urgent security threats.
For school districts with limited IT personnel, relying on external vendors for security management can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it provides essential support; on the other, it increases the difficulty of maintaining consistent oversight and quick response times during a security incident. This dependence can also lead to challenges in adapting quickly to evolving cybersecurity best practices.
AI Adoption: Benefits and Security Concerns
Many schools are considering artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the educational experience and optimize administrative workflows. CDW’s survey shows that 58% of districts currently use AI tools to support teaching, learning, and school operations. While AI offers promising applications in areas like lesson planning and personalized learning, its integration introduces new layers of security and ethical challenges. AI models often require large datasets, raising concerns over data privacy, especially when student information is involved.
Half of the school leaders in the CDW report expressed concerns about the “privacy and security of data in AI large language models,” an area that has already drawn scrutiny in other industries. Furthermore, 33% of respondents identified a lack of AI expertise as a major barrier, echoing the broader skills gap observed with cloud management. Schools looking to leverage AI will need to invest in training their staff to use these tools responsibly and safely, balancing innovation with cautious implementation.
Mitigating Security Risks with CASB Solutions
As schools continue their digital transformation journey, employing effective cloud security measures becomes crucial. One recommended approach is to implement a cloud access security broker (CASB) solution. A CASB acts as a security checkpoint between users and cloud services, controlling access, monitoring for suspicious activity, and protecting data. This centralized security approach offers school IT teams greater visibility over who is accessing cloud data and how it’s being used.
With a CASB, districts can enforce data security policies across all cloud-based applications, from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365. This solution helps mitigate the risk of data breaches by blocking unauthorized users and flagging anomalous activities. Given that schools often rely on a large number of edtech tools — over 2,500 applications in some districts according to EdWeek Research Center — a CASB can offer peace of mind by reducing risk exposure.
Addressing the Future of K–12 Cloud Security
The move to cloud technology in K–12 is a step toward a more flexible and adaptive education environment, but it also necessitates a heightened focus on cybersecurity. Schools must take a layered approach to security, combining endpoint, network, and cloud protections. As cloud use grows, so does the importance of each security layer, which can help schools counter cyber threats that have escalated in frequency and sophistication over recent years. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), publicly reported cyber incidents targeting K–12 tripled between 2016 and 2021, underscoring the urgent need for better security.
Ultimately, protecting sensitive student and staff data in cloud environments will require ongoing vigilance. Schools are encouraged to implement security policies that set clear guidelines for data handling and invest in solutions that integrate with cloud platforms. They should also prioritize cybersecurity training for staff to ensure that everyone understands the best practices for protecting cloud-based data.
