Security

What Do Managed Security Services Look Like in K–12 Education?

Managed security service providers can give school IT teams the support, expertise and peace of mind they need to protect their networks and data from cyberthreats.

Charlie Provenza

Charlie Provenza, security solutions executive in a security generalist role with CDW, supports state and local government and educational organizations. Charlie advises sales teams and customers on cybersecurity and physical security solutions, with a focus on CDW badged services. He has 30 years of experience in the IT industry, working in cybersecurity for half of that time.

Brock Hankins

Brock Hankins, managed services specialist, represents CDW’s Network Operations Center and Security Operations Center offerings, specializing in data center infrastructure, networking and security operations. He is a technology expert with 13 years of experience in enterprise IT services.

There are a lot of reasons K–12 schools are vulnerable to cyberattacks. Teachers are busy and don’t always have the most up-to-date security training. IT leaders with security expertise often take private sector jobs for more money than schools can afford to pay. And today, using artificial intelligence, cybercriminals are formulating attacks that are more sophisticated and harder to detect than ever.

These elements are a catalyst, causing more schools to seek security services to protect their network infrastructure and digital learning environments.

EXPLORE: Optimize cyberdefense in your K–12 schools with managed security services.

Specific security needs vary greatly across regions and school demographics. However, the benefits of working with a managed security services provider are largely the same for K–12 institutions.

Here’s how MSSPs work, what schools are investing in and how they can get started:

How Do Managed Security Services Benefit K–12 Schools?

Managed security services are a cost-effective solution for K–12 schools that want to improve their security posture.

Cyberattackers don’t sleep, and they don’t take weekends or holidays off. In fact, they’re more likely to target a school during these downtimes to maximize the damage they can do while no one’s watching.

Running a 24/7/365 security operations center isn’t realistic for a K–12 school, because managing a SOC would require five or six dedicated security individuals. But an MSSP can detect threats sooner, even if they occur during a school’s off-hours.

At CDW, we have our own SOC, as well as the connections to recognize when a partner’s services might be a better fit for schools. Additionally, as a private MSSP, the stakes are high for us to deliver. Some public organizations offer MSSP-like services that are popular with schools, but if they lose funding or fail to meet expectations, it’s schools that will pay the price, not the organizations.

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What Are Popular Security Services for Schools?

There are many services through which MSSPs can help schools strengthen their cybersecurity posture. These are some of the popular solutions for K–12 schools right now:

Managed detection and response: More K–12 schools are relying on MDR services to protect their endpoints because they don’t have the in-house staff to monitor thousands of faculty and student devices themselves. MDR gives schools the ability to evaluate any suspicious activity on a user’s device right away and isolate that device from the rest of the network as soon as possible.

Security information and event management: With SIEM, security service experts can pull in logs to see the digital environment holistically. This big-picture view can be a huge advantage for schools when it comes to protecting their networks and data because it can show potential red flags, vulnerabilities or existing threats inside their systems. SIEM is a critical tool for forensics, enabling investigation, mitigation and root-cause analysis of active threats.

Vulnerability management and patching: This service involves the continuous identification, assessment and remediation of security weaknesses in the school’s digital infrastructure, including servers, workstations and network devices.

Firewall management: As technology advances, firewalls are becoming extremely complex and difficult to manage. Schools are leaning on MSSPs like CDW for their technical acumen in this area.

WATCH NOW: Elevate your cybersecurity with CDW managed services.

Often, the services that are right for a school depend on the institution’s size, geographic location and existing security infrastructure. When identifying these services, talking to an expert about the district’s needs is vital for a successful partnership.

How Can Schools Get Started Working with MSSPs?

Many schools struggle to find a good-fit MSSP because, often, their request for proposal misses the mark. This can quickly turn away potential providers.

Dictating rigid service-level agreements and service-level objectives in an RFP for managed security services can unintentionally box out qualified providers. Such RFPs prioritize arbitrary metrics over real-world outcomes and flexibility. While service levels are important, overly prescriptive requirements — especially those not tailored to specific business risks or operational realities — can exclude innovative or more mature providers that take a consultative approach.

Additionally, publishing a public RFP for managed security services can unintentionally expose an organization to increased risk by revealing sensitive details about existing security gaps, outdated tools or missing capabilities. These documents often outline current infrastructure, known weaknesses and desired improvements — effectively broadcasting a roadmap of vulnerabilities to threat actors.

UP NEXT: What should schools look for when selecting a technology vendor?

A contract vehicle is a more secure route through which schools can engage an MSSP. Leveraging a cooperative purchasing program, such as Sourcewell, can help mitigate or circumvent the arduous RFP process and procure an MSSP faster. It’s also easier on the school’s procurement staff, who likely aren’t familiar with the technologies or services the school’s IT staff are trying to acquire.

Partnership and communication are key throughout the managed security services process. With the right foundation in place, schools can invest in solutions that put K–12 IT leaders at ease, knowing that — no matter the complexity of their digital environment — it’s monitored and secure.

This article is part of the ConnectIT: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Technology series.