UncommonX was proud to support a recent expert panel hosted by ZeroNow, part of their Conversations series focused on advancing safety and security in K–12 schools. This session brought together cybersecurity leaders, education administrators, and public safety experts to explore a growing challenge: how schools can stay resilient in the face of increasingly complex cyber threats.
As school systems become more digitally connected—through classroom technology, security systems, and online platforms—they also become more vulnerable to attack. The stakes are higher than ever, and the panel discussion offered timely insights for education leaders seeking to protect both their infrastructure and their communities.
Watch the full panel discussion here.
The panel featured:
Together, they addressed the real-world challenges facing school districts today, from ransomware and phishing to the cyber vulnerabilities of physical security systems. The panelists offered not only lessons learned from the field but also a call to action: cybersecurity must be treated as a core component of school safety planning.
Dr. Hazelton emphasized the importance of preparation, sharing firsthand stories from district leadership that underscored how even well-intentioned efforts can fall short without proactive planning and visibility. King and Shanks expanded on the risks and responsibilities that come with connected environments, highlighting the critical role of governance, staff training, and vendor management.
This conversation reflects a shift that many education leaders are now facing. Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. It’s a student safety issue, an operational issue, and a community trust issue.
At UncommonX, we’ve seen how attackers increasingly target the systems schools rely on every day—access control, video surveillance, HVAC, classroom technology, and more. Many of these systems are unmanaged, outdated, or invisible to district IT teams. Once inside, threat actors can move across networks, disable systems, or gain unauthorized physical access.
The bottom line: if you can't see it, you can't protect it. And without visibility, prevention becomes nearly impossible.
That’s why visibility, intelligence, and expert support must go hand-in-hand. This was a core theme across the panel, and one we echoed through our contribution to the event.
In support of this initiative, UncommonX developed a white paper specifically for school administrators, technology directors, and education stakeholders.
“Securing School Districts in a Fully Connected World” outlines the modern threat landscape and offers practical guidance for building cyber resilience across K–12 environments.
The white paper covers:
It also emphasizes the need for a shift in mindset—from reactive response to proactive prevention.
Download the free white paper here.
We’re grateful to ZeroNow for creating the space to have these important conversations. And we’re especially thankful to the panelists for sharing their knowledge, their experience, and their commitment to protecting students and educators alike.
As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, school districts need partners who understand both the urgency and the complexity of their mission. At UncommonX, our role is to help bring clarity to complexity. Through 24/7 monitoring, expert analysis, and actionable intelligence, we give school leaders the tools they need to protect what matters most—people, places, and learning environments.
We look forward to continuing this dialogue and supporting education communities as they navigate the road to greater resilience.
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