Cape School District to undergo cybersecurity audit by state

The Cape Girardeau School District is among five Missouri schools that soon will be audited by the state as part of a new cybersecurity audit initiative.

State Auditor Nicole Galloway recently announced the Cyber Aware School Audits, focused on identifying practices that improve the security of information schools have on students and their families.

"For every parent who has provided health records to the school nurse, authorized bank debits for a lunch plan or exchanged emails with a teacher about concerns in the classroom, there are real consequences to have that information released to individuals who might seek to profit or exploit from it," Galloway said in a news release.

The audits will review the school district's ability to detect a cybersecurity breach and the planned response for a breach; student personal information accessibility and protection; technology use policies; and student and staff privacy and security awareness training, according to the release.

"I think we're in pretty good shape in all those areas," said superintendent Jim Welker, adding he isn't aware of any past issues with cybersecurity at the district.

"We're trying to look at this as an opportunity to review what we're doing," he said. "And certainly, if there are areas we need to make improvements, we'll use this as an opportunity to do that. That's our approach to it at this point."

The audits are part of a continuing emphasis on data protection practices and keeping Missourians' information secure, the release said.

In the past 10 years, more than 250 K-12 schools across the United States experienced a data breach event, according to the not-for-profit Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. Students and families affected by the incidents are at a higher risk for unauthorized access to account information, financial abuse and identity theft.

And, in cases where Social Security numbers are exposed, they are five times as likely to become the victim of identity theft, according to the organization.

"Technological advances in today's schools have simplified and streamlined processes for educators, administrators, students and parents, but these benefits also carry an increased risk of vulnerability," Galloway said. "Missouri schools must be proactive in the effort to secure student data, and Missouri students must be equipped with the information they need to protect themselves online and in our increasingly connected environment."

The auditor's office also is auditing the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Missouri Student Information System and the Office of the State Courts Administrator -- Justice Information System, according to the release.

Other districts also selected for the first round of audits include the Boonville School District in Cooper County, the Orchard Farm School District in St. Charles County, the Park Hill School District in Platte County and the Waynesville School District in Pulaski County.

Additional districts will be named by the auditor's office next year.

The audit of the Cape Girardeau School District is expected to take place in February or March, Welker said.

klamb@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3639

Pertinent address:

301 Clark St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.