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Human Error Identified as Major Threat to Student Privacy Under FERPA

Human Error Identified as Major Threat to Student Privacy Under FERPA

During the 2026 Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) conference, Mike Tassey, a data security adviser with the Privacy Technical Assistance Center at the U.S. Department of Education, highlighted human error as a significant threat to student privacy under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Tassey illustrated this with an example where a teacher mistakenly used the 'CC' field instead of 'BCC' in an email, exposing the identities of students receiving special education services. This incident underscores the vulnerability of student data to human mistakes, despite advanced cyber defenses. Tassey emphasized that FERPA violations often stem from unintentional errors rather than malicious intent, and stressed the importance of transparency and quick response in managing such incidents.
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Human Error Poses Major Threat to Student Privacy Under FERPA

Human Error Poses Major Threat to Student Privacy Under FERPA

At the 2026 Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) conference, data security adviser Mike Tassey highlighted human error as the greatest threat to student privacy under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). A common mistake, such as using 'CC' instead of 'BCC' in emails, can compromise student privacy by revealing sensitive information. Tassey emphasized that FERPA violations often result from unintentional errors and systemic misunderstandings of data ownership. He stressed the importance of transparency and quick response to breaches, as well as the need for schools to understand their legal responsibilities regarding student data.
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Congress Extends Surveillance Powers for 10 Days Amid Privacy Concerns

Congress Extends Surveillance Powers for 10 Days Amid Privacy Concerns

Congress has voted to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) for 10 days, pushing the expiration date to April 30. This decision follows unsuccessful attempts by GOP leaders to secure longer renewals, including a five-year extension and an 18-month renewal requested by President Trump. Section 702 allows U.S. intelligence agencies to intercept electronic communications of foreign nationals outside the United States. The program has been a point of contention, with privacy advocates seeking reforms to require court approval before reviewing Americans' information. Despite these efforts, the intelligence community argues that such changes would compromise national security. The extension prevents a lapse that could lead to legal challenges from technology and telecommunications companies required to provide communications to the government.
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TreviPay, Linxup, and Platform Science Innovate Fleet Management with AI and Security Enhancements

TreviPay, Linxup, and Platform Science Innovate Fleet Management with AI and Security Enhancements

TreviPay, Linxup, and Platform Science Innovate Fleet Management with AI and Security Enhancements
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Proposed U.S. Bill Could Mandate Age Verification for Operating Systems

Proposed U.S. Bill Could Mandate Age Verification for Operating Systems

A new bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives could require operating systems like Windows, Linux, and MacOS to implement mandatory age verification for users. The 'Parents Decide Act,' sponsored by Democrat Josh Gottheimer and Republican Elise Stefanik, aims to ensure that users enter their date of birth to set up and use operating systems. The bill also proposes that app developers have access to this information for age verification purposes. The specifics of the age verification process and data protection standards are to be determined by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce after the bill's passage.
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CoSN2026 Conference Offers Cybersecurity Strategies for Resource-Limited School Districts

CoSN2026 Conference Offers Cybersecurity Strategies for Resource-Limited School Districts

The CoSN2026 conference provided practical cybersecurity strategies for small and midsize school districts facing budget constraints and limited staffing. Experts emphasized the importance of prioritizing recovery efforts, focusing on critical systems like teaching, payroll, and communications. Districts were advised to conduct annual tests of recovery plans to ensure readiness. The conference highlighted the need for asset inventory and risk assessment to direct cybersecurity efforts effectively. Basic protections, such as multifactor authentication and automated updates, were recommended to secure networks. Detection tools and incident response plans were discussed as vital components of cybersecurity readiness. The conference aimed to equip K-12 IT teams with strategies to manage cyber threats despite limited resources.
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U.S. Schools Struggle to Meet Digital Accessibility Deadline

U.S. Schools Struggle to Meet Digital Accessibility Deadline

As the April 24 deadline for digital accessibility compliance approaches, many U.S. schools are unprepared to meet the requirements set by the updated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This federal rule mandates that schools ensure their websites and mobile apps comply with Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. However, a survey by the National School Public Relations Association reveals that only 14% of districts have completed the necessary updates. The lack of compliance leaves schools vulnerable to legal action and highlights the challenges of balancing digital accessibility with broader political and technological trends.
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AI Learning Platform Gizmo Secures $22M Funding Amidst Growing User Base

AI Learning Platform Gizmo Secures $22M Funding Amidst Growing User Base

AI Learning Platform Gizmo Secures $22M Funding Amidst Growing User Base
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Dragon Boss Adware Disables Antivirus on 23,000 Hosts, Exposing Global Networks

Dragon Boss Adware Disables Antivirus on 23,000 Hosts, Exposing Global Networks

A signed adware operation linked to Dragon Boss Solutions LLC has been disabling antivirus software on over 23,000 endpoints globally. The operation uses a legitimate code-signing certificate and an update mechanism to deploy a PowerShell-based payload that systematically disables security tools. The campaign was first observed in March 2025, with underlying loaders present since late 2024. The adware targets products from Malwarebytes, Kaspersky, McAfee, and ESET, using a script to kill antivirus processes and block reinstallation. The operation's primary update domain was unregistered, allowing potential exploitation by malicious actors.
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Federal Agencies Urge Americans to Secure Home Routers Following Russian Hacking Disruption

Federal Agencies Urge Americans to Secure Home Routers Following Russian Hacking Disruption

Federal intelligence agencies, including the FBI and the National Security Agency, have issued an urgent warning for Americans to secure their home internet routers. This follows the disruption of a significant Russian military hacking campaign that compromised thousands of devices. The operation, led by the FBI's Boston office under the name Operation Masquerade, targeted a network of small-office and home-office routers used for malicious hijacking operations. The Russian GRU's 85th Main Special Service Center, known as APT28 or Fancy Bear, exploited vulnerable routers globally since at least 2024. The FBI's intervention severed Russian access to these devices, but officials stress that the fix is not permanent unless users update their hardware. The compromised routers were used to alter domain name system settings, allowing hackers to route user traffic through actor-controlled infrastructure, enabling the Russian government to harvest sensitive data.
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GoGuardian Introduces Ed Tech Compliance Tool with AI Features for School Districts

GoGuardian Introduces Ed Tech Compliance Tool with AI Features for School Districts

GoGuardian Introduces Ed Tech Compliance Tool with AI Features for School Districts
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CoSN Report Advocates for Responsible Technology Use in Schools

CoSN Report Advocates for Responsible Technology Use in Schools

The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) has released a report advocating for the adoption of Responsible Use Agreements (RUAs) in schools to complement traditional Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs). The report emphasizes the importance of clarity, positivity, and community involvement in creating effective RUAs. These agreements aim to guide students and families in responsible technology use, focusing on positive behaviors and digital citizenship. The report provides guidelines and templates for schools to implement RUAs, promoting a healthy digital culture in educational settings.