Cybersecurity: Utah’s schools — including K-12 and colleges — must fortify digital defenses, audit reveals

KEY POINTS

Legislative audit warns cyberattackers continue to target schools.

Auditors conclude Utah's K-12 school districts and colleges can do more to fortify cybersecurity.

Past cyberattacks have exacted costly tolls at several Utah schools.

Keeping Utah’s K-12 schools and college campuses safe goes beyond physical threats to students, faculty, staff and property.

In 2025, schools must be constantly vigilant against cyberattacks.

That’s the cautionary message emphasized in a performance audit report presented Thursday to the Legislative Audit Subcommittee.

Cybersecurity threats such as ransomware, data breaches and email fraud are increasing realities in public education — evidenced by a pair of recent cyber breaches at a pair of Utah school districts that resulted in financial l