Lake ECMECC 2026

Technology alone cannot stop today’s cyber threats. People remain the most frequent target of phishing, social engineering, and credential theft. Building a culture of cybersecurity requires more than firewalls and antivirus—it requires informed staff and students.
This session explores why security awareness training has become a critical component of district cybersecurity programs, examines the current K–12 threat landscape, and discusses how ongoing education reduces organizational risk while supporting compliance and resilience.
Topics Covered

• The current cyber threat landscape facing K–12 schools.
• Real-world examples of phishing, ransomware, and social engineering.
• Why attackers target people instead of technology.
• The financial and operational impact of successful attacks.
• Measuring the effectiveness of awareness training.
• Building a sustainable culture of cybersecurity.
• The role of leadership in reducing cyber risk.
• How CyberNut supports continuous security awareness for staff and students.

Learning OutcomesParticipants will:

• Understand why security awareness is a foundational cybersecurity control.
• Recognize the return on investment of ongoing awareness training.
• Learn how leadership influences cybersecurity culture.
• Gain practical strategies for increasing participation and effectiveness.
• Identify metrics that demonstrate program success.

As concerns over screen time in education continue to grow, it is time to shift our focus from 'how much' technology we use to 'how' we use it. "Technology with Intention" explores how educators can move beyond using technology as a "digital workspace," to using technology as an intentional way to get students thinking. When learning is designed with intention, technology is used with intention.

Discover free ebooks and credible research materials for your students through eLibraryMN Resources, available to Minnesota residents! This platform provides a wide variety of reliable tools for everyone from elementary students to lifelong learners. Join us as we explore how to access and integrate these tools into your curriculum, with a special focus on the brand-new resources introduced this July!

Students are among the most targeted users online, making cybersecurity education an essential part of today’s classroom. This session introduces CyberNut’s student awareness platform and demonstrates how educators can easily incorporate engaging, age-appropriate cybersecurity lessons into their classrooms.
We’ll explore student training content, gamification features, reporting tools, and best practices for building cybersecurity habits that extend beyond school.
Learning ObjectivesParticipants will:

• Understand CyberNut’s student training capabilities.
• Learn how to assign and manage student training.
• Explore age-appropriate cybersecurity content.
• Review reporting and student progress tracking.
• Discover strategies for integrating cybersecurity awareness into classroom instruction.
• Leave with a simple implementation plan.