K12 SIX Invites Input for 2023-24 Updates to Essential Cybersecurity Protections Series

Cybersecurity nonprofit K12 Security Information Exchange is inviting K–12 IT and network security practitioners to submit their input and feedback for the upcoming 2023–24 edition of the K12 SIX Essential Cybersecurity Protections Series of guides for public schools’ risk management efforts.

The K12 SIX Essential Cybersecurity Protections Series is developed by K–12 IT practitioners for colleagues in public schools and is aligned to federal cyber risk management recommendations and best practices. The guides establish “actionable baseline cybersecurity standards for U.S. school districts and provide guidance and tools to support their implementation.” 

The guides are updated annually or as needed to help school security officials keep up with the latest in cyber threats and technological developments; most recently, the K12 SIX school district self-assessment was updated to “incorporate planning tools to assist school systems to close the gaps in identified weaknesses,” the organization said in an email to THE Journal.

Details of the newest updates to the self-assessment guide are explained in K12 SIX’s recent webinar, “Kickstarting Your K-12 Cybersecurity Program: Where and How to Start”; the recording is available at K12SIX.org/k12-kickstart.

In preparation for updating the 2023–2024 Essentials Series, K12 SIX has issued an “open call” for feedback and input from IT practitioners and school security leaders, who can contribute their insights at https://forms.office.com/r/83YnbDDwz4. The deadline to submit feedback is June 30, 2023.

Learn more at K12SIX.org.

About the Author

Kristal Kuykendall is editor, 1105 Media Education Group. She can be reached at [email protected].


Featured

  • split-screen digital illustration of two AI-influenced classrooms

    What AI Gets Right and How It Will Be Used in the Year Ahead

    AI has tremendous potential to do good in education while honoring and upholding the essential role of teachers. However, its success will depend on how we choose to use it.

  • DreamBox Math

    Discovery Education Announces Updates to Experience, DreamBox Math

    K-12 learning solution provider Discovery Education has announced enhancements to its Discovery Education Experience and DreamBox Math products, designed to create a more personalized, engaging learning experience for students.

  • The AI Show

    Register for Free to Attend the World's Greatest Show for All Things AI in EDU

    The AI Show @ ASU+GSV, held April 5–7, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center, is a free event designed to help educators, students, and parents navigate AI's role in education. Featuring hands-on workshops, AI-powered networking, live demos from 125+ EdTech exhibitors, and keynote speakers like Colin Kaepernick and Stevie Van Zandt, the event offers practical insights into AI-driven teaching, learning, and career opportunities. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to integrate AI into classrooms while exploring innovations that promote equity, accessibility, and student success.

  • A geometric pattern of open Chromebook computers with bold outlines, subtle shading, and soft gradients, spaced evenly with vibrant green and blue accents on a neutral background.

    Challenges and Opportunities Ahead for the 'Great Chromebook Refresh'

    During the pandemic, the education community scrambled to provide students with laptops to promote online learning equity and mitigate learning loss. Today, those devices are approaching the end of their useful lives — and a "great Chromebook refresh" has been predicted as schools seek to replace them with newer models.