Blog: Idaho’s Higher Ed Leaders Participate in CISA-Led Cybersecurity Exercise

Here is a summary of the document in 150-200 words:

On April 15, 2024, higher education leaders in Idaho gathered for a training exercise on managing ransomware attacks and reducing cyber risk. The twist in this exercise was that IT staff were not involved in the response, allowing senior leaders to take the lead. The simulation highlighted the importance of having IT at the decision-making table, as senior leaders struggled to manage the attack without technical expertise. The ransomware attack was both cyber and physical, affecting critical systems and compromising student data. The exercise showed the devastating impact of such attacks and the importance of communication with other departments and institutions. The event was a success, providing valuable information to keep student and faculty data safe and sparking ongoing discussions for future collaborations. The training marks a relaunch of leadership training paused during the pandemic and serves as an initial step towards a stronger and more secure cyber future for Idaho's colleges and universities.