Cybersecurity has become crucial to every organization’s operations in today’s digital age. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, data breaches and cyber-attacks have become more frequent and sophisticated, making it essential for businesses, governments, and individuals to prioritize cybersecurity measures.
The education sector, particularly K-12 schools, is not exempt from these threats. According to a report by the K-12 Cybersecurity Resource Center, there were 408 publicly disclosed cybersecurity incidents in K-12 schools in the US in 2020, a 34% increase from the previous year. To combat this growing problem, tech entrepreneurs are revolutionizing K-12 cybersecurity.
Jorge Conde-Berrocal, a thought leader in the field of K-12 cybersecurity, is one such entrepreneur on a mission to ensure that schools are equipped with the necessary cybersecurity tools and knowledge to protect the sensitive information of their students and staff. With over two decades of experience in the cybersecurity industry supporting the nation’s largest enterprises, Jorge is the founder and CEO of a cybersecurity startup specializing in providing K-12 schools with affordable, accessible, and effective cybersecurity solutions. In a recent interview, Jorge shared his thoughts on revolutionizing K-12 cybersecurity and the impact he hopes to make.
Please tell us a little bit about your background and how you became interested in cybersecurity?
My background is in information technology, specifically cybersecurity, where I have worked for twenty plus years now. I have always been interested in cybersecurity. My experience has allowed me to develop a strong skill set in IT security strategy, program development, delivery excellence, financial management, and team development. As a cybersecurity professional and Darden Alumni, I have spent most of my years understanding the intersection of business and technology. In this, I have learned the importance of communicating effectively with stakeholders and how it can shape an organization, both good and bad. Learning and communicating the business of cybersecurity is where I really found my passion.
How do you believe cybersecurity threats in K-12 education differ from those in other industries?
Cybersecurity threats in K-12 education differ from those in other industries because they are specifically targeting our children’s personal data and disrupting the ability to teach our children through targeted attacks using ransomware. Additionally, the resource constraints within this sector challenge most cybersecurity products and services’ financial models. For most, the juice is simply not worth the squeeze, especially in the more rural districts, which are facing the same technological challenges and acceleration as the large districts..
How does your approach to cybersecurity address this concern?
We facilitate community collaboration in K-12 cybersecurity with our proprietary platform, Minerva EDU. By gathering and sharing anonymized data within industry verticals, our platform provides schools with a data-driven approach toward investing in their cyber programs. Our affordable and effective cybersecurity solutions are tailored to their needs, enabling them to reduce the risk of negligence while focusing resources to protect their sensitive data.
You mentioned Minerva. Can you walk us through the process of implementing your cybersecurity solutions through it?
Minerva Cybersecurity Risk Management Platform is a proprietary solution provided by V3 Cybersecurity that provides organizations with data-driven insights, from the world’s largest K-12 cybersecurity data set, on areas of weakness within their cybersecurity and privacy programs. Our Minerva EDU suite of products gives K-12 schools holistic cyber visibility and IT risk identification in easy to understand non-technical language. Implementing our solutions is straightforward. All of the Minerva EDU cybersecurity services, such as risk assessments, policy development, benchmarking, compliance, automation, and reporting, are available and unlimited throughout your annual subscription.
Can you tell us about the benefits of using Minerva EDU for K-12 schools’ cybersecurity needs?
Our platform breaks down most of the typical barriers within K-12 including budget, workload, and skills. Our focus on applying intelligent technology to solve traditional challenges makes it a sustainable long-term solution for all organizations, including those with limited budgets, staff, and stakeholder support. We have helped school districts nationwide comply with federal and state requirements, secure cyber insurance, and establish formal Information Security Management Plans (ISMP). Minerva EDU helps schools automate low-level tasks, identify risks, and report in a way that bridges administrators and IT departments.
What are your long-term goals for your company?
My long-term goal for Minerva EDU is for it to be the top K-12 cyber risk management solution that sets the standard for cybersecurity best practices while reducing the liability of cyber negligence for K-12 organizations and their respective boards, superintendents, and IT staff. Our ability to help schools eliminate cyber negligence liability and create a safer environment for students and staff is our mission. Our live benchmarking allows organizations to share data and establish a “standard of care,” while our unique historic archive saves time and money for new staff. Minerva EDU is changing the game and making traditional cybersecurity engagement affordable and sustainable for K-12 schools.
Prioritizing Cybersecurity in K-12 Schools
Despite challenges such as limited budgets, resources, and cybersecurity expertise, K-12 schools must prioritize cybersecurity as they increasingly rely on technology for teaching, learning, and administration. According to Jorge Conde-Berrocal, developing a comprehensive cybersecurity program covering all aspects of cybersecurity, creating the right cyber ecosystem, and staying current on how you stack up against cybersecurity trends and threats are crucial. By creating a culture of safety within their organizations, educators and school administrators can help protect sensitive data and ensure a safer environment, both physically and digitally, for students and staff.
