Why Student Data Breaches Are Dangerous & How They May Alter the Ed Tech Marketplace

New K–12 Ed Tech Podcast Launches with Discussion of Student Data Privacy, Its Potential Impact on School Procurement

Since January, two reported cyberattacks targeting ed tech providers have resulted in the breach of private information of more than 3.5 million U.S. K–12 students — and likely millions more. No one knows for certain how many students had their personal data compromised, and it’s probable that we will never know.

Such data breaches — even if they don’t include a Social Security number — are very dangerous for students and can impact their financial futures for many years to come, explains podcast guest Doug Levin, national director of K12 Security Information Exchange, the leading nonprofit advocate for K–12 cybersecurity resources in the United States. Levin discusses the expanding impact of recent ed tech data breaches, what it means for public school leaders and parents, and what policy changes K12SIX is advocating for to protect students.

Data privacy is also an important consideration in school district procurement, and podcast guest Dr. Tim Clark, Vice President of K12 Programs at 1EdTech, explains how their ed tech marketplace for school districts might soon see some changes to address growing concerns about student data privacy.

Resource links:

Music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay

About the Author

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


Featured

  • Abstract geometric pattern with interconnected nodes and lines

    Microsoft 365 Copilot Updates Offer Expanded AI Capabilities, Collaboration Tools

    Microsoft has announced updates to its Microsoft 365 Copilot AI assistant, including expanded AI capabilities in individual apps, the ability to create autonomous agents, and a new AI-powered collaboration workspace.

  • An open book with text transforming into smooth lines represents reading ease

    Fluency Innovator Grants to Award Free Subscriptions to WordFlight Literacy Intervention Solution

    The call for applications is now open for Foundations in Learning's Fall 2024 Fluency Innovator Grants program. Teachers and administrators from schools and districts serving grades 3-8 may apply to receive a free subscription to WordFlight, a literacy assessment and intervention solution for students with deficits in reading fluency and comprehension, for the Fall 2024 semester.

  • AI-themed background with sparse circuit lines and minimal geometric shapes

    Microsoft to Introduce AI Agent Building Tools in Copilot Studio

    In November, Microsoft plans to roll out a public preview of a new feature within Copilot Studio, allowing users to create autonomous AI "agents" designed to handle routine tasks.

  • landscape photo with an AI rubber stamp on top

    California AI Watermarking Bill Supported by OpenAI

    OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT, is backing a California bill that would require tech companies to label AI-generated content in the form of a digital "watermark." The proposed legislation, known as the "California Digital Content Provenance Standards" (AB 3211), aims to ensure transparency in digital media by identifying content created through artificial intelligence. This requirement would apply to a broad range of AI-generated material, from harmless memes to deepfakes that could be used to spread misinformation about political candidates.