School districts have undergone a digital transformation and in so doing introduced themselves to the risk of ransomware, student data breaches, and online fraud and theft. While hundreds – if not thousands – of school districts are victimized by cyber criminals each year, it is only recently that we’ve been able to paint a picture of the emerging threat landscape facing schools. Given limited resources and the realities of district operations, what can K12 leaders do to protect their school communities? What roles can superintendents and school boards play? How can K12 IT leaders prioritize their limited time and resources? As the K12 sector grapples with these and related issues, the key to protecting school communities will be collective defense.