Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a potential game-changer for cybersecurity in K-12 schools, especially as districts face challenges like limited funding, expertise, and personnel. During the recent “Transforming Alert Overload into Action” webinar, experts from the K12 Security Information eXchange (K12 SIX) and Fortinet discussed how AI-powered security tools could help schools detect and resolve cyber threats more quickly.
Doug Levin, K12 SIX cofounder, explained that while AI isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, it shows promise in automating threat identification and speeding up response times. For AI to be most effective, it needs to operate on a unified platform or with strong interoperability among the applications within a school’s network. This centralization allows AI to automate cybersecurity tasks that would otherwise take hours to complete manually.
Mike Lauer from Fortinet demonstrated how AI could reduce the time needed for threat hunting. Using an AI assistant, a process that might normally take hours was completed in just minutes. By simplifying complex cybersecurity tasks through plain-language prompts, AI enables school tech teams—often consisting of generalists rather than specialists—to effectively manage cybersecurity.
However, both experts stressed that schools must first have basic cybersecurity measures in place. Once established, integrating AI can enhance efficiency, allowing schools to allocate their limited resources more strategically. While AI isn’t a cure-all, it holds great potential for improving the cybersecurity landscape in educational institutions.
