Education IT Challenges We Solve
compliant infrastructure
FERPA Compliance
Student education records are federally protected. We implement the technical safeguards, access controls, and audit trails required to maintain FERPA compliance across your district.
most targeted sector
Ransomware Protection
K-12 schools are the most targeted sector for ransomware. We deploy layered defenses — EDR, email security, network segmentation, and tested backups — to keep your district running.
compliant filtering
CIPA Content Filtering
The Children's Internet Protection Act requires content filtering for E-Rate funding. We deploy and manage compliant web filtering across all devices and networks.
funding eligible
E-Rate Eligible Services
Many of our services qualify for E-Rate Category 2 funding. We help you identify eligible services and navigate the application process to maximize your technology budget.
device management
1:1 Device Management
Thousands of Chromebooks, iPads, and laptops deployed to students and staff. We manage enrollment, security policies, content filtering, and lifecycle across your entire fleet.
privacy managed
Student Data Privacy
Beyond FERPA, state student privacy laws and COPPA add complexity. We help you navigate vendor agreements, data governance policies, and privacy impact assessments.
What We Handle for Schools
Network Infrastructure
Reliable, secure networking across campuses. Segmented networks for staff, students, and IoT devices with centralized management and monitoring.
Endpoint & Device Security
Staff workstations, student devices, and classroom technology secured with EDR, encryption, and centralized device management.
Email & Phishing Protection
Protect staff from phishing attacks targeting payroll, student data, and vendor credentials. AI-powered email security that catches what basic filters miss.
Backup & Disaster Recovery
Student information systems, financial records, and operational data backed up with rapid recovery procedures. Tested regularly to ensure you can recover from ransomware.
Identity & Access Management
Single sign-on, MFA, and role-based access controls for staff and students. Integration with your SIS and directory services.
Compliance & Policy Management
FERPA, CIPA, COPPA, and state privacy law compliance documentation, policies, and ongoing monitoring to keep your district audit-ready.
Educational Organizations We Serve
We Also Serve
Frequently Asked Questions
What does FERPA require from a technology standpoint?
FERPA requires that schools implement reasonable technical safeguards to protect student education records from unauthorized access or disclosure. This includes access controls that limit who can view student data, audit trails that log who accessed records and when, and encryption for data stored on school systems. A managed IT provider with FERPA expertise can configure and document these controls on your behalf.
Is CIPA compliance required for E-Rate funding?
Yes. Schools and libraries that receive E-Rate discounts must certify compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which requires content filtering on school networks and internet-connected devices. The filtering must block obscene content, child pornography, and material harmful to minors. We deploy and manage CIPA-compliant filtering systems that satisfy E-Rate certification requirements.
Why are K-12 schools such a frequent ransomware target?
K-12 districts hold large volumes of sensitive personal data — student records, staff payroll information, financial data — while typically operating with limited IT staff and budgets. Attackers exploit that gap. According to the K12 Security Information Exchange, ransomware attacks on U.S. school districts have increased significantly each year, with many incidents forcing districts offline for days or weeks. Layered defenses and tested recovery procedures are the only reliable protection.
Do schools need managed IT, or can they handle security internally?
Most districts do not have the staffing or specialized expertise to manage modern cybersecurity threats on their own. A managed IT partner provides 24/7 monitoring, patch management, incident response, and compliance documentation — capabilities that would require multiple full-time hires to replicate internally. Outsourced managed IT is typically more cost-effective and more effective than an understaffed in-house team.
What is a 1:1 device program and how do you secure it?
A 1:1 program issues a device — typically a Chromebook, iPad, or laptop — to every student. At scale, this creates a large fleet of endpoints that must be enrolled in a management platform, configured with security policies, filtered for appropriate content, and tracked throughout their lifecycle. We manage device enrollment, content filtering, security policy enforcement, and hardware replacement across your entire student device fleet.
How do you handle the difference between staff and student access?
Staff and students require fundamentally different levels of system access. Staff need access to student information systems, financial tools, and administrative platforms; students should be restricted to educational resources. We configure role-based access controls and single sign-on systems that enforce these boundaries automatically, so students cannot access data they are not permitted to see.
What is COPPA and does it apply to our school?
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) governs the collection of personal information from children under 13 by online services. Schools can provide consent on behalf of parents for educational purposes, but this requires carefully vetting the vendors and apps your students use. We assist with vendor privacy reviews and can help your district maintain a compliant list of approved educational tools.
Can Katalism help us qualify for E-Rate Category 2 funding?
Many of our managed IT and cybersecurity services qualify for E-Rate Category 2 funding, which covers internal connections and managed WiFi. We can identify which services in your proposed engagement are E-Rate eligible and help you document the scope for your funding application. Contact us to discuss how to structure your technology investment around available E-Rate reimbursement.
Protect Your Students. Protect Your District.
Schedule a meeting to discuss your security needs and find out where your school or district stands.
Schedule a Meeting