- The Ecential
- Posts
- 🛡️ECE Cyber Attacks on the Rise - What You Can Do Now
🛡️ECE Cyber Attacks on the Rise - What You Can Do Now
PLUS: These 5 Steps to Take & Fed Funds Released
Today’s Issue: Recent Cyber Attack; Steps to Prevent Attacks; ECE in the News = 1 cup of coffee.
Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe to The Ecential below:
⌨️ Time to Update Those Passwords: We always hear about the “what-ifs” if someone can hack into our accounts and take our stuff hostage. It can’t happen to me, right?! Well, tell that to a 158-year old trucking company in the UK. Last week, the hackers were able to simply guess ONE employee’s password and deleted most of the company’s operating software. As the ransom was too high, the company simply folded. 158 years of operating history and 700 jobs poof-gone. 🤯 So be sure your passwords are updated to reflect the most current recommended best practices.
🔐 💥 Cyberattacks in ECE On the Rise!
Now, we know the example above is an extreme one of what hackers can accomplish when trying to get money from business owners and operators. But it can and DOES happen. That’s why in this week’s issue, we want to help with what this means for ECE. Check out these stats for ECE:
Over 60% of ECE centers have experienced a data breach.
80% of breaches involve theft of personal information (child names, addresses, medical records, SSNs).
K-12 and ECE face a 35% year-over-year increase in cyberattacks.
Attackers increasingly exploit academic calendars, launching attacks during critical periods to maximize leverage.
Why do hackers target ECE centers in the first place? Well, it’s simple. You store sensitive data on families. Think SSNs, health records, payment details. All these details are VERY valuable. They also know that if they can disrupt one billing cycle, they have more leverage for you to pay their ransom requests.
The impact of these attacks can be stressful for centers and families involved. As was the case for one center in Canada, the scammers stole OVER $20k from the non-profit childcare center!
👉‼️👉‼️👉 Check out our 5 Steps you can take right now to protect your ECE operations!
Do you do any cybersecurity training in your centers? |
ECE In The News
🤑 Federal Funds Released for Before/After School: Federal funds for before- and after-school programs were frozen for weeks. Now the budget office said that that those dollars will start flowing to states again. After reviewing the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, they released $1.3 billion. While billions are still frozen for other programs, at least this money will start flowing back to the states to help expand care. Here’s to hoping to more funds supporting ECE.
☀️ ECE Constraints Cost Florida Over $1B: Florida TaxWatch revealed that the state's child care challenges cost the state economy more than $1 billion per year! The report highlights the strain on working parents and the economic toll of absent workers struggling to meet child care demands. 285k children in Florida under 6 are being raised by only one working parent. As parents cannot go to work, this takes a serious toll on not just families, but the state economy. Those numbers don’t lie. ‼️
The Internet is a Playground:
🗓️ On this Day in History: U.S. Congress passes legislation establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in 1958. NASA was created in response to the Soviet Union’s October 4, 1957 launch of its first satellite, Sputnik I. This, of course, started the USA’s launch into space exploration and discovering new realities. 🚀
🌵 That’s Neat: The most-observed plants and animals in each US state.
🗻 That’s cool: A website that ranks the US national parks.
🐢 Aww: Turtle ate my homework.
YOUR VOICE COUNTS
Is there a topic you want more info on or want to share a funny story? Then let us know! Shoot us a quick email at [email protected]. This newsletter is for you, and well, you should have a say, don't’ you think?
What did you think of today's issue? |