CDT’s short module on ransomeware in education, including best practices for prevention & mitigation. Blue background with white text. Blue and black backpack surrounded by a blue and purple data trail.
Practitioner training plays a vital role in ensuring that schools, local and state education agencies, and other education organizations use data and technology responsibly. CDT provides a suite of training modules that cover key principles of student privacy protection, cybersecurity, digital equity, and related issues. Here’s our full catalog of training modules.
Schools are regular targets for ransomware attacks, particularly as remote and hybrid learning has increased their reliance on technology. These attacks can rob students of critical instructional time, disrupt school operations like payroll or communications, and pull much needed resources from other areas.
CDT’s latest training materials guide education practitioners and tech leaders on how to strengthen their systems to limit the likelihood of a successful ransomware attack, and how to mitigate the impact if they do fall victim to an attack. The training covers preventative steps like cybersecurity measures and backup techniques, and mitigation preparation techniques like preparing alternate communication channels and practicing restoring systems.
Preparation and good cybersecurity is an essential part of maintaining systems in a time when schools are a regular target of cyber attacks. This training aims to assist tech leaders in educational contexts to prevent or prepare for ransomware attacks.
Coalition Urges Senate Not to Let Companies Waive Financial Regulations for AI
CDT joined AI Now Institute, American Civil Liberties Union, and several organizations dedicated to tech policy, consumer protection, and civil rights in a letter to Senate leadership and the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee opposing the “AI Innovation Labs” language in Sec. 10509 of the CLARITY Act.
British Public Oppose Secret Surveillance Powers and Want Strong Protections for Encrypted Communications
CDT released nationally representative polling data revealing that a the British public are broadly concerned about the security, privacy, and free speech consequences of allowing law enforcement to access encrypted communications.
The Privacy Paradox: How Government Data Has Become Less Private and Less Useful
Providing ready access to information collected and maintained by the government promotes accountability, innovation, and research, making transparency a core responsibility of serving as a steward of the public’s data. Public agencies must also safeguard sensitive information when making data publicly available.
Defending State Data: Lessons from California v. USDA
As the federal government increasingly seeks access to state administrative data, policymakers should consider not only legal authority and privacy implications, but also the practical effects on public confidence, program effectiveness, and states’ ability to fulfill their obligations to residents.
