NCDPI K-12 Cybersecurity Program
Overview
In 2021, NCDPI established the K-12 Cybersecurity Program with a purpose of organizing and aligning business and technical cybersecurity functions holistically across the state so that PSU and NCDPI stakeholders have greater visibility into the people, processes, and technologies deployed and have a measurable way to determine whether those efforts are sufficient and correct for current and future needs.
The goal is to help all PSUs achieve Strong Cyber Hygiene!
PSUs can find more details about the current program workstreams and their associated services and resources provided by to PSUs at NO COST.
- Security Awareness and Skills Training
- Email and Web Browser Protection
- Network Infrastructure Management
- Malware Defenses
- Continuous Vulnerability Management
- Inventory and Control of Enterprise Assets
- Account and Access Control Management
- Network Monitoring and Defense
- Incident Response Management
- Service Provider Management
- Network and Cybersecurity Consulting
In addition, the K-12 Cybersecurity Program has several partners with related services and resources available to the PSU community:
- NCLGISA IT Strike Team – The IT Strike Team is a group of NCLGISA members that volunteer their time and talents to help out in times of need. The Strike Team has partnered with NC Emergency Management to provide IT support where needed in time of disaster but is also available to any NCLGISA member who needs more resources to address emergency issues.
- North Carolina National Guard – The North Carolina National Guard CSRF mission is to conduct defensive cyberspace operations to support mission requirements as directed by The Adjutant General or Governor. Specifically for North Carolina, the CSRF provides cyber security assistance to State, Local, and Critical Infrastructure providers.
- NCDPI NC Digital Learning Plan – Framework for growth and continuous improvement in the area of Digital Teaching and Learning for NCDPI, public school units, and schools across the state. View data, action steps, and metrics for the state’s Digital Learning Initiative.
Find list of all available resources here
Management
The K-12 Cybersecurity Program is composed of cross-functional heterogeneous teams to work on tasks and deliverables of the projects. These teams will adapt and evolve over time, but identifying key members will be extremely important to getting the project started with good momentum. The teams should include representatives from all organizations that will interface with the Cybersecurity Program.
- Cybersecurity Executive Committee (CEC)
- The purpose of the executive committee is to provide the priority and policy advisory for the project and ensure the alignment of state agency and legislative requirements.
- The purpose of the executive committee is to provide the priority and policy advisory for the project and ensure the alignment of state agency and legislative requirements.
- Cybersecurity Core Teams (CCT)
- The core set of teams and organizations that collectively work together as part of the NCDPI K-12 Cybersecurity Program in providing the umbrella of cybersecurity services and resources for the PSUs
NCDPI, Friday Institute, MCNC, NCJCTF, NCDIT
- The core set of teams and organizations that collectively work together as part of the NCDPI K-12 Cybersecurity Program in providing the umbrella of cybersecurity services and resources for the PSUs
- Cybersecurity Advisory Council (CAC)
- The CAC consists of PSU cybersecurity leaders who meet monthly to discuss relevant threats, updates, and innovations. Overall focusing on supporting PSUs and NCDPI in improving the K-12 cybersecurity posture.
Have Cybersecurity Questions?
- Key Program Contact
- NCDPI K-12 Cybersecurity Team, k12cybersecteam@dpi.nc.gov
- Learn more about our program, and its FREE services
- Join the K-12 Cybersecurity Community Mailing List
Strategy
The North Carolina K-12 Cyber Objectives, Recommendations, and Essentials (NC K-12 CORE) is a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing the cybersecurity awareness, practices, and posture of PSUs across North Carolina. This approach incorporates cybersecurity and data privacy best practices from national frameworks while ensuring alignment with specific NC educational initiatives, ultimately fostering a secure digital teaching and learning environment for all K-12 stakeholders.
Please visit the NC K-12 Cyber Objectives, Recommendations, and Essentials (NC K-12 CORE) page for more information regarding these strategies.
Program Outreach and Engagements
**Remember, you must be a member of the K-12 Cybersecurity Community Mailing list to access the PSU Cybersecurity Program Plan and other supporting materials.**
Subscribe here: https://go.ncdpi.gov/NCK12CyberCommunityList
- Register for upcoming cybersecurity events and be notified of future events at NCDPI’s Eventbrite Page
- Digital Leaders Exchange 2025 – Data Privacy and Cybersecurity, September 18-19, 25-26, 2025
Key Resources
- Cybersecurity for Teachers
- A page that lists various resources and best practices for K-12 teachers interested in Cybersecurity. We will continue to update this page as more resources and information are found.
- Cybersecurity Glossary and Acronyms
- A page that links to our NCDPI K-12 Cybersecurity Program Glossary and Acronyms document, which provides definitions for various words, terms, acronyms, and abbreviations commonly used in cybersecurity.