Protecting the U.S. K12 Education Sector from Emerging Cybersecurity Threats
The K12 Security Information eXchange (K12 SIX) is the only national non-profit organization solely dedicated to protecting the U.S. K-12 community—including school districts, charter schools, private schools, and regional and state education agencies—from emerging cybersecurity threats.
K12 SIX operates as an enhanced information sharing and analysis center (ISAC) for the K-12 education sector, facilitating the sharing of actionable threat intelligence with its membership. In addition, K12 SIX offers its members security training, access to virtual CISO services, leadership opportunities, and much more.
A member of the Global Resilience Federation, K12 SIX leverages decades of cross-sector information sharing experience and expertise from the financial services, legal, health, and energy sectors.
“No K–12 institution is an island. Information sharing and collaboration with peers and partners is essential to build awareness and sustain resilience. K–12 entities should participate in an information sharing forum such as the ... K12 Security Information eXchange (K12 SIX).”
Leadership
Doug Levin, National Director
Doug Levin is co-founder and national director of the K12 Security Information eXchange (K12 SIX), a national non-profit dedicated solely to helping schools protect themselves from emerging cybersecurity threats. He also is the creator of the K-12 Cyber Incident Map, the most comprehensive database of publicly-disclosed cybersecurity incidents in K-12 education, which serves as the foundation for the ‘State of K-12 Cybersecurity Year in Review’ annual report series. He currently serves on the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Cybersecurity Advisory Board and the U.S. Department of Education K-12 Cybersecurity Government Coordinating Council (GCC).
Mr. Levin has been engaged in education and technology policy issues for over three decades – in a variety of roles. From 2009-15, he served as executive director of the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA). Previously, Mr. Levin held positions with the American Institutes for Research, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, and the National Association of State Boards of Education. He has been recognized as one of the most influential people in education technology and his research and views are routinely sought out by the media. He is a graduate of William & Mary and earned a master’s degree in Sociology from The George Washington University.
How K12 SIX Works
For a summary presentation about K12 SIX, please view the archive of the ‘Get to Know K12 SIX’ webinar (8/29/23).
We Share Data & Intel
K12 SIX analysts share relevant, actionable cyber security intelligence including tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs, IOCs, and vulnerabilities) to provide advance warning, mitigation, and best practices.
We Promote Collaboration
K12 SIX creates collaborative spaces for members to connect with peers and strengthen trust relationships through real-time discussions via secure chat, forums, and online meetings.
We Educate & Train
K12 SIX promotes awareness and education to detect, deter and respond to cyberthreats through webinars, exercises, workshops and summits.
We Empower with Tools
K12 SIX provides members with technology to enhance threat intelligence aggregation, analysis, and enrichment processes.
We Build Trust
K12 SIX fosters trust by offering a secure means to collaborate, anonymizing member submissions, and strictly adhering to the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP).
We Help Manage Crises
K12 SIX helps members respond and coordinate in the event of persistent, pervasive, or damaging threats and incidents.