Cybercrime is a global threat impacting all industries. It’s also a battle with constantly moving goalposts as the methods employed by bad actors continue to evolve alongside emerging technologies.
However, it’s important to remember one fundamental rule. As with any type of criminal activity, cybercrime is driven by the desire to access something valuable. While traditional theft targets precious goods, cybercriminals look to access a resource often referred to as the new gold, otherwise known as data.
This is why sectors like financial services are often prime targets. However, while banks and fintechs have the budget to employ state-of-the-art cybersecurity defense mechanisms, another sector is struggling against the odds.
The educational sector stores massive amounts of personal information including student medical records, social security numbers, individualized education plans, and much more.
As a result, schools and educational institutes are at risk.
In fact, Verizon’s 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report found that the educational services sector experienced 1,780 incidents in 2023, with 1,537 involving confirmed data disclosure.
Meanwhile, K12 Security Information Exchange a nonprofit focused on protecting schools from cybersecurity threats, found that at least 83 potential ransomware attacks on school districts were disclosed from January 2023 through June 2024.
Here, cybersecurity company ManagedMethods is working to bring affordable yet robust cybersecurity solutions to K-12 district schools across the US to tackle this pressing challenge.
How ManagedMethods is protecting student data
With a 393% increase in ransomware attacks on K-12 schools, districts need more robust safeguarding. These attacks not only put sensitive student information at risk, but they can also cripple the network and force schools to close operations while a ransom is negotiated.
Colorado-based ManagedMethods, led by Charlie Sander, helps school districts keep students safe and data secure with a cloud-native security solution built on Google Cloud.
One of its core product offerings, Cloud Monitor, seamlessly integrates with district’sGoogle Workspace and Microsoft 365 environments. Once connected, the platform continuously monitors user activity, files, and emails in real-time. This includes Chrome and Edge, as well as all files stored in Drive and Shared Drives, Gmail, Google Meet, SharePoint, OneDrive, Outlook 365 and Exchange.
The solution is designed for K-12 technology leaders dedicated to safeguarding online learning environments, meaning that Cloud Monitor has been built with affordability, ease of use, customization, and reliability at its core.
ManagedMethods also aims to stay ahead of changes to the sector. For example, in February 2025 the company launched a range of new Cloud Monitor features to make it easier for administrators to keep students safe and secure in the classroom with smarter alerting and automation that can be adjusted to align with severity or internal protocols.
In this way, the company aims to provide a cost-effective yet powerful solution that helps to protect student data and keep online learning safe and secure.
Comprehensive protection for students
Founded in 2013 by industry veterans of enterprise performance and security software sectors, the company is led by Charlie Sanders, who brings over 35 years of experience in the IT industry. Prior to his tenure, he was CEO of Confio Software which became the fastest-growing company in the database performance space before being acquired by SolarWinds.
Working alongside Charlie is Co-founder and CTO Al Aghili, who before ManagedMethods was the Vice President of Engineering at Newmerix Corp.
While protecting school data is one important element, it’s not the only part of the story. K-12 schools have a duty of care to protect students while on site—and while using school-provided technology. However, in 2025 this is becoming harder and harder to safeguard children thanks to the increasing prevalence of onine learning tools and AI.
This is also a compliance issue, under the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and E-rate requirements.
Here, ManagedMehtods offers a cloud-based and AI-powered Content Filter that helps schools comply and offers students comprehensive protection.
The platform operates directly on the browser while students are logged into school-provided Google Chrome accounts, proactively blocking URLs while also identifying potential self-harm, suicide, sexually explicit content, and cyberbullying risks.
School districts making the switch for more effective student safety
One school taking student safety seriously is Porter-Gaud School, one of the premier independent schools in the Southeast US that boasts a well-rounded curriculum that provides opportunities in academics, the arts and athletics.
The school’s location has made it susceptible to natural disasters and security issues. Being on the coast, the school had to shut down their network and power multiple times because of hurricanes. Due to this, moving to the cloud provided the organization with better operational continuity during weather events.
When the nationwide push for cloud computing gained momentum a decade ago, the school saw a valuable migration opportunity, recognizing that its Microsoft server was getting older and needed to be replaced.
Phil Zaubi, Director of Technology at the school, is a technology director taking a proactive approach to securing his school’s data. As his users increasingly relied on Google tools, he knew he needed something that would give him the ability to manage security in the cloud.
When Phil found ManagedMethods, he was intrigued by its Cloud Monitor platform’s ease of use and visibility. Said the technical leader, “When I did the demo I was like, ‘OK, this is what I’ve been looking for.”
That relationship has continued to blossom to this day.
One of the best parts is that as the Porter-Gaud School grows, they can rest assured that ManagedMethods’ solutions will evolve alongside them.
A cost-effective way to protect K12 schools
In 2025, technology will continue to be firmly embedded into all areas of the school system, whether to enhance classroom learning, manage remote sessions or help educators manage classroom admin.
K12 school districts must protect students and their data, and the cost-effective solutions provided by ManagedMethods help to make this possible across the board.