A ransomware attack on a school district's cyber infrastructure can instantly bring school operations to a halt, forcing leaders into crisis mode as they assess if and how to bring network systems safely back online. 

Victimized school systems face logistical, financial and legal implications as they respond to cyberattacks. There's also the emotional toll on K-12 leaders as they scramble to respond to the emergencies and on the whole school community as their sense of safety is upended.

As ransomware attacks have increased in recent years, so too have local, state and federal initiatives to combat these crimes. Many are hopeful that coordinated systemic defenses can repel the continued attacks.

In our “Education Extortion” series below, we highlight firsthand accounts as well as best practices to shore up cyber defenses — which include back-up networks, cyber insurance and a federal proposal to standardize cyber incident reporting.