School is back in session and that means a renewed focus on safety and crisis preparedness. K-12 schools face a wider array of challenges than ever before. According to a blog post by Motorola Solutions, schools still face longstanding concerns while new ones arise.
From threats of violence to cyber security and the yet unknown impacts of AI, schools have more to plan for than ever before. One top concern is swatting, which is making a prank call to emergency services. An example would be a fake 9-1-1 call about an active shooter. These kinds of hoax calls are costly and can put children in unnecessary danger. Effective communication and collaboration tools are vital to managing these situations.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, school districts across the U.S. are experiencing an average of five cyber incidents a week. Ransomware is on the rise in K-12 schools. Well-vetted and tested cyber security plans and protocols are essential.
Threats of violence continue. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, there were 330 school shooting incidents last year. The recent school shooting in Minnesota, happening on the first day of the school year, reminds us that preparedness and training are critical components of safety and security. Contact ICM to help review and update your school’s crisis plans.
