At the 2026 Microsoft Digital Sovereignty Summit in Brussels, leaders from policy, IT, and industry gathered to discuss how to balance sovereignty and innovation. A clear theme emerged: digital sovereignty has become a continuous risk management discipline, one that strengthens resilience, security, and innovation.

Five key insights surfaced, outlining what digital sovereignty looks like in practice for education institutions.

1. Digital sovereignty is about operating confidently in uncertainty

Leaders at the summit grounded digital sovereignty in practical terms, reframing it as a risk management discipline rather than an abstract policy concept. For education leaders navigating data privacy compliance, research data requirements, and enabling cross-institution collaboration, this means the goal is to understand risk clearly and apply the right level of control.

A key insight was that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every workload, whether a student information system, a research platform, or an administrative application, carries a unique risk profile and compliance obligation. Sovereignty decisions must be made deliberately, workload-by-workload, enabling institutions to make clearer, more confident decisions in changing conditions. Education leaders should assess risk across student systems, research platforms, and administrative solutions individually rather than applying a single institutional policy to all workloads.

2. Sovereignty and innovation should reinforce each other

A clear consensus emerged at the summit: Institutions do not need to choose between innovation and sovereignty. When grounded in strong security and governance, sovereignty creates the conditions for innovation to thrive. With that foundation in place, education leaders can pursue AI-driven capabilities like adaptive learning, personalized student support, and accelerated research while safeguarding sensitive data in a secure, compliant environment. That requires bringing AI strategy, cloud strategy, and governance into one planning process so institutions can drive innovation while maintaining full control over their data and infrastructure.

Sovereignty is not a single architecture decision. It’s about applying the right controls to each workload without compromising continuity, flexibility, and innovation. Across cloud and hybrid environments, the right controls help institutions protect sensitive data, meet compliance requirements, and improve resilience. Microsoft Sovereign Cloud supports this approach by combining sovereignty capabilities with integrated security to help institutions maintain control while continuing to innovate.

3. Modern cybersecurity requires collaboration, scale, and trust

Sovereignty without cybersecurity is a non-starter, and speakers addressed that reality directly. For education leaders managing sensitive student records, research data, and critical administrative systems, cyber threats continue to evolve, making visibility and coordination essential. Cybersecurity is now a continuous operational priority, not a periodic compliance exercise.

Importantly, discussions challenged a common misconception: that isolation alone equals security. Disconnecting systems or building digital walls can create blind spots by limiting access to global threat intelligence, coordinated response, and real-time threat detection. Strong cybersecurity safeguards do more than reduce risk; they are the foundation for sovereignty and digital transformation. Education leaders should evaluate not just whether systems meet requirements under normal conditions, but whether they deliver the continuous visibility, resilience, and threat defense needed to maintain real control over their environments.

4. Digital sovereignty in the era of AI goes beyond data residency

Summit discussions also reinforced that AI operating under sovereign requirements must be built on responsible data processing and transparent control. This goes beyond where data is stored, requiring clear boundaries around how data is processed, how AI models are trained and operated, and full visibility into how these systems behave across their lifecycle. Leaders emphasized that institutions need AI systems that not only meet today’s regulatory and security obligations but remain trustworthy, auditable, and resilient as requirements evolve. In practice, that means asking not just where data is stored, but where prompts and responses are processed, who can access them, and how controls are applied.

For institutions, sovereignty must be designed end-to-end, including infrastructure, platforms, security, data governance, and AI workloads. To support this, Microsoft is building new capabilities across the stack to support sovereign requirements at scale. For education leaders, these capabilities provide verifiable control over how data is processed and how AI is deployed across learning, research, and operations.

5. Making digital sovereignty work requires collaboration

The final takeaway reinforced a theme that ran through every discussion: digital sovereignty succeeds through collaboration, not isolation. It depends on institutions, governments, and technology providers working together to translate policy into operational reality. Rather than isolating systems, institutions that combine local expertise with trusted cloud and AI infrastructure can maintain control, meet regulatory requirements, and drive innovation simultaneously.

For education institutions, that shared approach makes sovereignty more scalable and practical across teaching, research, and operations. Just as importantly, collaboration helps institutions meet local requirements and maintain the interoperability needed to connect systems, services, and teams. In practice, that means applying the right level of control where sensitivity requires it, not isolating systems in ways that increase risk or operational burden.

A practical approach to digital sovereignty

A strong sovereignty posture gives institutions choice, visibility, and control across diverse environments. The goal is to align capabilities with institutional responsibilities, regulatory requirements, and the sensitivity of each workload, applying the right controls to each rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. For education leaders, that means strong encryption, transparency, and clear access controls in public cloud, with hybrid and sovereign solutions available where greater control is required.  

A risk management discipline that strengthens innovation

Microsoft’s expanded sovereign cloud continuum enables critical workloads to run across diverse environments while still benefiting from innovation, advanced security, operational transparency, and features like the EU Data Boundary and long-standing encryption and access safeguards.

Digital sovereignty is now an institution-wide discipline rooted in risk management. With trusted digital systems, institutions can make deliberate, workload-specific decisions across learning, research, and operations while balancing security, compliance, resilience, and innovation.

Learn more about Microsoft’s approach to sovereignty, security, and innovation

• Microsoft Sovereign Cloud in Europe: Read the whitepaper to learn how Microsoft is approaching sovereignty, security, compliance, and resilience in Europe.
  
• The Future of Learning Starts with Trust: Download this e-book to see how K-12 leaders can adopt trustworthy AI with confidence.
  

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This year’s theme—AI Aware: Safe, Smart, In Control—recognizes how deeply AI now influences students’ daily digital lives. From learning platforms, creative tools, and online interactions, AI is embedded across the digital ecosystem. With these opportunities come new expectations for digital literacy and critical thinking.

Being AI‑aware means helping learners:

• Assess content shaped by AI
• Recognize manipulative interactions or misinformation
• Protect personal data and digital identities
• Navigate online spaces with confidence, curiosity, and discernment

Safer Internet Day encourages institutions to integrate these competencies into digital citizenship instruction so students can engage with emerging AI technologies safely and responsibly.

The toolkit includes:

• Education aligned security frameworks based on Zero Trust principles
• AI‑powered tools and implementation guidance for small and large teams
• Data governance guidance for AI, learning analytics, and research environments
• Resources for student‑run Security Operations Centers (SOCs) and cybersecurity skilling
• Real campus case studies that demonstrate the impact security tools have made at institutions globally

The toolkit reframes campus cybersecurity—not as a barrier to innovation, but as a sustainable foundation that enables safe AI adoption, global collaboration, and resilient digital learning ecosystems.

Why AI safety and cybersecurity matter in education

Cybersecurity and digital safety are no longer “technical concerns”—they are essential to the mission of teaching and learning. Schools manage a wide range of sensitive information, including:

• Student records
• Learning analytics and accessibility data
• Financial aid information
• Digital credentials
• Federally funded research outputs
• Intellectual property

Campuses are intentionally open environments designed for collaboration, inquiry, and innovation. Devices change hands, systems span cloud and on-premises infrastructure, and users move fluidly across networks. That openness fuels learning—but also increases risk.

A single cybersecurity incident can disrupt instruction, halt essential services, delay research, and erode trust among students, families, faculty, and partners.

Strong security does not restrict innovation; it enables it. A secure foundation allows institutions to adopt AI, expand access, and accelerate digital transformation with confidence.

Building digital citizenship with Minecraft Education’s CyberSafe series

Digital citizenship begins long before college or career. Young learners need accessible ways to practice and internalize online safety skills without fear. Minecraft Education offers a K–12 curriculum program to help educators introduce online safety, digital awareness, and cybersecurity through immersive, age-appropriate learning experiences. The content was developed with experts across Microsoft, including Minecraft Player Safety, Xbox Trust and Safety, and the Microsoft Digital Safety Unit, and aligns to Computer Science Teacher Association (CSTA) and Cyber.org standards.

In the CyberSafe series for ages 8 to 14, students build critical thinking skills and learn positive online behavior as they explore digital risks in a safe, supported environment. The newest addition to the CyberSafe series, Bad Connection?, offers a trusted way to support digital citizenship and AI-aware learning through play for students ages 11 to 14. By introducing concepts in engaging game scenarios inspired by real life—such as manipulative interactions, suspicious messages, and peer pressure—students have a safe rehearsal space to practice:

• Evaluating risks
• Identifying red flags
• Consider actions and consequences
• Seeking help and report concerns

The goal is to equip students with language, strategies, and confidence to safely navigate online spaces and use digital technologies responsibly. By turning safety concepts into interactive experiences, CyberSafe helps reduce stigma, normalize conversations about unsafe interactions, and strengthen protective online behaviors. Minecraft Education offers free resources for educators, families, and school leaders as well as online training for educators. Explore Minecraft Education’s CyberSafe and digital citizenship resources for more information.

Supporting Safer Internet Day in schools and communities

This Safer Internet Day, we’re highlighting how everyone—students, educators, and families—plays an important role in creating safer, more confident online experiences. By opening conversations about digital safety, we can help learners build strong, healthy habits that support their well‑being wherever they connect and collaborate.

A great place to start is by opening conversations about online safety across your entire school community—students, educators, staff, and families—supported by practical, ready‑to‑use resources from Microsoft Education.

• K–12 Cybersecurity Conversation Guide—offers simple, actionable tips and prompts to help students understand safe online behavior, strengthen digital habits, and build cyber hygiene together as a school community.
• K–12 Cybersecurity Infographic—uses real examples of phishing attempts, scam ads, and suspicious links to help students and caregivers quickly learn how to spot online threats and stay vigilant.

No matter your role, here’s what you can do next:

For educators and school leaders: Use these resources to guide classroom discussions, staff professional development (PD) sessions, and schoolwide digital‑citizenship initiatives.

For IT and safety teams: Share these materials during cybersecurity awareness campaigns, family‑engagement nights, or incident‑prevention training to strengthen your institution’s safety posture.

For families and caregivers: Incorporate these tools at home to help students build safer online habits and stay informed about emerging digital risks.

Safer Internet Day 2026 invites us all—students, educators, families, and institutions—to build a safer, more informed digital world. By strengthening AI literacy, practicing responsible online behavior, and adopting robust security practices across education, we can help ensure every learner navigates AI‑powered digital spaces with curiosity, confidence, and control.

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Minecraft Education promotes critical thinking, teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving while helping students develop digital skills for their future. It can also help motivate learning, improve attendance, and build student agency. Educators use it for everything from building AI literacy through immersive lessons to sustainable design challenges and esports programs.

Explore this collection of Minecraft Education experiences designed to support your instruction, boost engagement, and inspire creativity in the classroom. Parents and caregivers can also support their child’s learning outside of school with Minecraft Education. With materials like a digital safety family toolkit, you’ll find ways to use Minecraft to explore important topics at home, too. Discover Minecraft Education resources for parents and families today.

Digital citizenship, coding, and AI

Today’s students are growing up in a world shaped by digital tools, AI, and rapid technological change. Minecraft Education helps prepare them to navigate that world responsibly and confidently. With Minecraft Education, students can engage in hands-on experiences that help them strengthen digital citizenship, explore responsible AI use, and build coding fluency all within a familiar and playful learning space that connects to their everyday lives.

Check out these Minecraft Education worlds designed to help students explore, create, and grow as digital citizens.

• CyberSafe AI: Dig Deeper – Build digital citizenship and AI literacy skills with CyberSafe AI: Dig Deeper. This engaging adventure challenges students to go beyond the surface and explore responsible AI, critical thinking, and data literacy. Don’t just accept AI at face value—dig deeper and discover the power of mindful technology use!
• Hour of Code: The Show Must Go On – Step into a vibrant theater world to help save the day in Minecraft’s Hour of Code 2024: The Show Must Go On. In this adventure, students will explore the theater to find the missing star, the Agent, while solving fun coding puzzles and interacting with lively characters. They’ll unlock hidden gags, customize the show, and plan an unforgettable performance.
• GameCode – Empower creative coding with this dynamic curriculum where students create their own arcade-style mini-games and learn computer science along the way. This immersive and innovative approach to coding will ignite the passion for programming in students as they become inventive game designers, empowered to shape their digital landscapes.

These experiences introduce students to essential digital concepts while allowing them to iterate and build in a safe, creative environment. Demystify complex subjects like AI and coding with your students through game-based learning with Minecraft.

Core subjects and STEM

It can be challenging to make abstract academic concepts feel exciting, relevant, and accessible. That’s where Minecraft Education comes in. These standards-aligned experiences are designed to help students connect with core instruction in ways that are hands-on and meaningful. From environmental science and astronomy to math and history, these worlds help students engage deeply with content through inquiry, experimentation, and creativity.

Explore these worlds to help your students apply academic concepts across subject areas.

• Ocean Heroes – Embark on a marine conservation adventure in Ocean Heroes, presented by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and Voice of the Ocean. Students will investigate ocean ecosystems alongside scientists and help them tackle environmental challenges in mangrove forests, coral reefs, and kelp forests. Along the way, they’ll encounter amazing creatures, enhance their ocean literacy, and develop critical problem-solving skills.
• Data Explorers – Build data science and sustainability skills in this world, created by ReWrite Edu in collaboration with NetApp and World’s Largest Lesson. This choose-your-next-path style game takes students across five different ecosystems in search of scientists who help them use data to solve specific environmental problems. Along the way, students can hone their data collection and analysis skills, as well as see how scientists apply data to real-world problems.
• Ratio Riddles – Introduce the concepts of ratio, proportion, fractions, and scale through a series of three engaging games designed for students ages 8-14. This is an easy-to-teach lesson designed to engage learners in foundational mathematics principles while fostering curiosity and confidence.
• Peter is Here: AI for Cultural Heritage – Step into the heart of history! Peter is Here: AI for Cultural Heritage is a captivating experience where students journey through 2,000 years of architectural innovation. Inspired by real-world preservation efforts, this immersive project lets young explorers use simulated AI tools to restore ancient wonders, from Roman engineering to Baroque masterpieces, and explore the history of St. Peters Basilica in Vatican City.
• James Webb Space Telescope Challenge – Explore the universe with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia (NSW) science curricula, this immersive lesson lets students learn about the telescope’s mission, star formation, and galaxies, culminating in a solar system build challenge. Inspire future astronomers with this cosmic adventure!

These experiences support cross-curricular connections and help students build a deeper understanding of academic content and inspire curiosity through game-based learning. Get started and explore immersive content in core subjects for students of all ages.

Creative classroom fun

Sometimes the best learning happens when students are free to explore, experiment, and play. Minecraft Education’s open-ended experiences empower students to express themselves, collaborate with peers, and build creative confidence. These activities are perfect for community-building, project-based learning, or moments when your classroom needs a spark of joy.

Try these student-centered worlds to foster classroom culture and creativity.

• Wheel of Steve – Spin the Wheel of Steve in this educational adventure inspired by A Minecraft Movie. Created for students aged 8-14, Wheel of Steve supports play for up to eight learners at a time. Two teams will compete against each other in five cooperative minigames designed to strengthen key skills including creativity, collaboration, communication, community, and critical thinking.
• Renewtopia – Explore a unique island and learn about four different types of renewable energy: solar, tidal, wind, and geothermal. This interactive build challenge teaches learners about sustainable energy sources by building an exhibit for a sustainable energy fair. Their goal is to teach others about one or more of the renewable power sources found on the island.

These experiences are great for building relationships, strengthening classroom community, and letting students lead their own learning in joyful, meaningful ways. Engage your students’ creativity and strengthen future-ready skills in your classroom.

Get support and inspiration for game-based learning with Minecraft

No matter where you are in your Minecraft Education journey, there’s a community and a collection of free resources ready to help you succeed. Connect with fellow educators, participate in special events, and explore learning modules, challenges, and ideas to bring Minecraft into your classroom:

• Free training to teach AI Foundations—register for upcoming live events and view on-demand training.
• Learn the basics in the Minecraft Teacher Academy course.
• Join the Minecraft Teachers’ Lounge community.

Whether you’re helping students understand responsible technology use, reinforce academic content, or build a thriving classroom culture, Minecraft Education offers immersive worlds that make learning engaging and meaningful. These experiences aren’t just lessons—they’re launchpads for curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

Check out Minecraft Education to explore the full collection of lessons, access educator resources, and start teaching with the power of play today.

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Enhance classroom instruction and student engagement

Copilot availability for students 13 and older

Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot availability for students aged 13 and older is coming this summer with enterprise data protection and IT controls. A study from Microsoft Research found that most students demonstrated remarkable curiosity when using AI, asking sophisticated questions that extended beyond their task at hand and led to deeper understanding.

Feedback from schools in our preview emphasized the value of training, clear guidelines, and space for students and educators to learn together. As we move forward, we’re focused on providing tools and support that help schools use AI in ways that work best for their communities. We’re optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead to help students advance their learning and build skills to prepare for success in their future.

Empowering everyone with agents in Copilot Chat

Specialized AI assistants, known as agents, expand the capabilities of generative AI by allowing customization and the ability to work for you or alongside you. Agents can be tailored to support you with expertise in instructional design, unique student preferences, institutional data analysis, and many other tasks. You can build an agent using natural language and additional configuration in Copilot Chat or get started with an agent template.

With Copilot Chat, agents can be accessed and managed directly in the chat and enterprise data protection helps keep your experience safe and secure. Whether you’re building a custom agent or taking advantage of agent templates, there are numerous ways that agents in Copilot Chat can make a positive impact on your day-to-day activities. Get started and discover how agents in Copilot Chat can enhance the way you learn and teach.

New educator features in Reading Coach

Reading Coach, a Microsoft Learning Accelerator, now includes features designed to support educators in guiding and monitoring student reading practice. Educators can create and share custom reading practice, set time-based reading goals, and select passages from the built-in ReadWorks library or allow students to choose from AI-generated stories.

Here’s what’s new:

• Create and share reading experiences – Share your own passages or choose from the robust ReadWorks library to bring high-quality content designed to improve effectiveness and student achievement to your students. They’ll also have the option to explore AI-generated stories that match their interests.
• Encourage independent practice – Encourage students to increase their reading endurance by setting personalized, time-based goals.
• Simplify access – Students can join practice sessions using a link or code, depending on what works best for your classroom.
• Stay connected to progress – Teacher mode offers visibility into how students are engaging with each practice and how their reading is developing over time.
• Use data to guide support – Track time spent reading, passage completion, correct words per minute, and reading accuracy to help inform instruction.

These features are available to educators and students using school-issued Microsoft credentials. Explore the new features and get started today.

Professional learning opportunities

A collection of AI literacy resources

Educators across the world are using AI to streamline lesson planning, personalize instruction, and enhance accessibility. There’s a strong opportunity to boost understanding and use AI more intentionally through professional learning and thoughtful practices. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your AI capabilities, we have free training and resources to help you build AI skills and integrate AI in meaningful and responsible ways.

These resources will help you build confidence in using AI and discover innovative ways to support student learning and save time. Continue growing your expertise by experimenting with AI tools and collaborating with peers to share best practices. Explore our collection of AI skilling resources for you and your students.

Equipping learners with essential AI skills

Over the past few years, companies around the world have seen a paradigm shift in how individuals consume content and attain new skills—changes that will only continue to accelerate and evolve. This shift highlights the need for continuous adaptation to emerging technologies and collaborative efforts to bridge the AI skills gap. Microsoft and Pearson, the world’s lifelong learning company, announced a strategic collaboration to help organizations realize the full value of AI through reskilling.

The partnership extends the efforts of both Microsoft and Pearson to provide AI skilling to people across the globe. Whether you, your team, or your students are just getting started or looking to refine your capabilities, discover learning opportunities to support your journey.

Possibilities for innovation

Become an MIE Expert or Showcase School

The opportunity of AI is here, empowering educators and institutions to drive innovation and redefine possibilities in education. We recognize and support leading educators and schools through the Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Experts and Showcase Schools programs. If you’re leading education innovation for your students, this is your opportunity!

Nominations for the 2025-2026 academic year are open until July 31, 2025. Learn how you can empower your entire community—students, educators, and staff—to achieve better outcomes today and prepare for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Defend against cyberthreats with student SOCs

The Microsoft Student SOC (Security Operations Center) initiative aims to bridge the significant skills gap in the cybersecurity sector and education. This initiative includes the Microsoft Student SOC Toolkit and implementation guide as free resources, along with training and certification to assist leaders at high schools and universities in addressing the cybersecurity challenges faced in education.

Student SOCs are becoming increasingly popular across the US, largely because of the need for an extra set of hands on security teams. With a student SOC, educational institutions can strengthen their cybersecurity defenses while also offering students invaluable hands-on training that equips them with the skills to step confidently into the workforce.

Optimizing AI strategy in higher education

As generative AI is increasingly embraced in higher education, school leaders are rethinking how they teach, conduct research, and support students and staff—driving innovation that’s reshaping the future of higher education. Define your institutional strategy and innovate with confidence by using the Cloud AI Adoption for Higher Education e-book. It offers structured guidance that helps prepare organizations to adopt AI at scale.

To fully harness AI’s potential, it’s important to develop cohesive strategies that align AI adoption with the core mission of your institution, ensuring long-term impact and responsible evolution. Get started with the Cloud AI Adoption for Higher Education e-book to develop an AI strategy and implementation plan.

These are just a few of the latest updates and features available—and we’re not stopping there. Microsoft Education supports educators with tools, features, and resources designed to simplify workflows, enhance student engagement and professional learning, and foster innovation. Explore these tools and updates today—and check back often for more ways to reimagine education with Microsoft.

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AI in education professional learning resources

Integrating AI in education is a journey that takes time, practice, and professional learning. With the right support you can explore new tools, build confidence, and use AI in ways that make a real difference to you and your students. These free resources are here to help you grow, and help your students thrive:

• AI for educators learning path – Discover how to enhance teaching and learning with Microsoft 365 Copilot, along with AI-powered tools in Microsoft Edge browser, Word, PowerPoint, Minecraft Education, and more. You have the option to complete the entire learning path or focus on individual modules based on your goals.
• AI for education – Learn how to use AI for educational purposes with a collection of training and professional learning resources for educators on Microsoft Learn.
• AI skills for educators – Prepare yourself and your students with AI skills for the future with free, ready-to-use AI training, resources, and programs from Microsoft.
• Microsoft Education AI Toolkit – Navigate AI frameworks, guidelines, and examples quickly with a toolkit tailored for education leaders and educators.

Integrating AI into your teaching can support student learning, streamline routine tasks, and help build digital fluency. Continue developing your knowledge, collaborating with colleagues, and lead the way in responsible AI use in your school.

Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat professional learning resources

Copilot Chat is the AI chat experience you can use every day. It’s powered by broad knowledge from the web, built on the latest AI models, and designed to be safe and secure. Enhance teaching and learning with Copilot Chat by personalizing learning, boosting creativity, and simplifying administrative tasks.

Learn how you can maximize the potential of AI in education with these Copilot Chat resources:

• Enhance teaching and learning with Copilot Chat – Learn how to use Copilot Chat, along with basic concepts, modes, features, and strategies to create effective prompts.
• Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat resources for education – Access resources to help you, your colleagues, and your school community get started with Copilot Chat.
• Copilot Scenario Library – Discover how to integrate AI into your daily workflow with day-in-the-life examples tailored to your role in education.

Try a few AI ideas out now and bring fresh collaboration, creativity, and engagement strategies to your classroom later.

Minecraft Education professional learning resources

Use Minecraft Education to engage students in immersive lessons, group projects, build challenges, and e-sports programs. Students can build digital skills while practicing critical thinking and collaboration in creative worlds. Check out these trainings and resources to help bring Minecraft Education to life in your classroom:

• Minecraft Education Teacher Academy – Learn how to incorporate Minecraft Education into your teaching practice no matter your level of experience in game-based learning. Explore free, on-demand content where you can learn alongside others.
• AI Foundations: Teaching AI Literacy – Discover how to integrate Minecraft Education’s AI Foundations lessons and tools into your classroom, equipping students with the skills to understand and use AI responsibly.
• Minecraft Teachers’ Lounge – Connect with more than 10,000 fellow educators in the Minecraft Teachers’ Lounge on Facebook—a vibrant, moderated space to find inspiration, share your wins, and discover creative ways to use Minecraft across subjects.
• Minecraft Lesson Crafter – Try your hand at creating a custom lesson plan for Minecraft Education with this AI-powered lesson generator tool. The tool offers a straightforward way for educators to use generative AI to create practical teaching resources, build confidence with using AI, and introduce Minecraft Education in their classrooms. Get started by signing in with your school-issued Microsoft credentials.

Minecraft Education helps you spark creativity, encourage collaboration, and build essential digital skills—preparing students for success in an evolving world.

Additional professional learning resources for educators

Your passion for teaching shows in everything you do—and Microsoft Education has the tools to help you go even further. Whether you want to learn more about literacy skill building, accessibility in educational environments, or cybersecurity best practices, you’ll find free, ready-to-use resources to support your goals and your students.

Explore resources to strengthen key skills:

• Build reading fluency with Reading Coach – Learn how to use Reading Coach, a free, standalone Learning Accelerator that uses AI to personalize reading content and practice for students. This learning module includes a new unit on the educator features in Reading Coach.
• Accessibility: Build the foundation for inclusive learning – Discover how to create an inclusive learning environment with accessibility principles and the Microsoft tools to support it.
• Build cybersecurity resilience in K-12 classrooms – Understand cyberthreats, implement security best practices, and foster a culture of cybersecurity to protect students and educators.
• Microsoft Learn Educator Center – Explore additional professional learning resources for educators and find programs that help meet your goals.

Take this opportunity to cultivate your passions and expand your professional skills. No matter your focus, Microsoft solutions and resources are designed to help you drive innovation, foster inclusion, and prioritize security.

Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert program

Take your professional growth to the next level by joining the Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert program. MIE Experts share a common vision: They inspire students with creative thinking and collaboration, using Microsoft technology across their curriculum and in their classrooms. If this describes your experience, we’re looking for visionaries like you! As a member of the MIE Expert global community of 30,000 educators, you’ll connect with colleagues around the world to share insights, learn from each other, and shape the future of education.

By exploring these professional learning resources now, you can gain new strategies and deeper skills to support your students’ success. As you learn, know that Microsoft is here to support you—helping you navigate change, implement new tools, and stay focused on what matters most: your students. Bookmark this post, share it with your peers, and revisit it anytime as you plan for a fresh start, whether it’s a new term, semester, or school year.

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Aligned with Microsoft’s mission to empower every person on the planet to achieve more, we’re thrilled to announce the Microsoft Student SOC initiative. This initiative includes the Microsoft Student SOC Toolkit and implementation guide as free resources, along with training and certification to assist leaders at high schools and universities in addressing the cybersecurity challenges faced in education.

The Microsoft Student SOC initiative aims to bridge the significant skills gap in the cybersecurity sector and education. These resources provide in-depth training on top-tier AI-powered security products such as Microsoft Security Copilot, Microsoft Defender XDR, Microsoft Sentinel, and more. These free resources and training can help educators, school staff, and students understand the importance of cybersecurity and how to defend against cyberthreats.

Bridging the cybersecurity skills gap

Two weeks after graduating with a computer science degree in 2024, Cothren started a position as a cybersecurity analyst at Regions Bank, a job he says his SOC experience “absolutely” helped him get. In the SOC, participants work alongside full-time cybersecurity employees on tasks like reviewing incident reports, hunting for cyberthreats, and investigating suspicious online behavior. Student SOC programs like Cothren’s can give students an edge in a competitive job market by providing them with valuable hands-on experience in cybersecurity before they enter the workforce.

Companies really don’t look for students fresh out of college, because cybersecurity is about protecting billion-dollar corporations—their data, their reputation, their integrity… I am very lucky for having had three years of experience.

George Cothren, Auburn University Graduate

Moreover, student SOCs help address a critical need in the job market. With more than 400,000 unfilled cybersecurity roles in the US alone, students can leave their programs well-prepared to combat a nationwide shortage.

Student SOCs provide opportunities for students and universities

Student SOCs are becoming increasingly popular nationwide, largely because of the need for an extra set of hands on security teams. Because institutions handle highly sensitive data and intellectual property, they’re prime targets for cyberthreats.

In fact, cyberattacks on universities are increasing, with a recent Microsoft report finding that the education sector is now the third-most targeted industry for cybercrime globally. While attacks are increasing, IT teams’ budgets remain constrained—making it difficult to combat threats effectively.

That’s where student SOCs can help. With a student SOC, educational institutions can strengthen their cybersecurity defenses while also offering students invaluable hands-on training that equips them with the skills to step confidently into the workforce.

Jay James, the senior cybersecurity operations lead at Auburn University, realized the power of student SOCs early on and established one at Auburn in 2019. “As a higher-ed institution, our number one priority is empowering students for whatever they plan on doing next,” he says. “It’s a win where the students have the opportunity to get hands-on experience and we’re able to utilize those students to help secure the university.”

Students in action

Student SOCs function as educational hubs and operational cybersecurity monitoring units. The centers are typically located on campus, with staffing arranged around student schedules, and participants use the same tools they’re likely to encounter in their careers.

Grace Parrish, a senior at Oregon State University (OSU), gained hands-on experience working with industry-standard automation tools to help the university more efficiently combat cyberattacks. “I like getting to put my hands on some nice enterprise-grade security solutions,” says Parrish. “And I really enjoy working on automation projects. They’re like little puzzles to me.”

Of course, students aren’t thrown into mission-critical tasks alone but rather work alongside full-time staff members for mentorship and oversight. With guidance, they learn to monitor, intercept, and solve real-time cyberattacks. If a serious threat occurs, students escalate it to professional staff while resolving lower-risk incidents independently. Sometimes, they even identify vulnerabilities that professionals might miss.

At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, students uncovered “slow burn” issues, seemingly random low-priority incidents that when grouped together point to an emerging problem. According to Chief Technology Officer Matthew Williams, that type of analysis didn’t happen before employing students.

“We unfortunately just used to look at alerts in isolation because of staffing,” he says. “Now we have the resources to look at things at more of a high level and in aggregate that could point to issues that we have otherwise just not paid attention to.”

The Microsoft Student SOC initiative takes student SOCs a step further

In a Microsoft Student SOC, students and schools get access to resources like the Student SOC Toolkit and training tools—while learning industry-leading cybersecurity tools like Security Copilot. Security Copilot can lower the barrier to entry for students interested in joining a SOC by providing a plain language interface. Students can learn on the job while still being a productive member of the SOC team. But Security Copilot isn’t just for beginners. As students become more proficient in their role, Security Copilot grows with them, helping them take on more complex cybersecurity tasks.

[We] are all really excited about using Copilot… A lot of the academic curriculums at OSU, and seemingly everywhere, aren’t really including AI type tools yet, but it’s something that is so forefront to [student’s] careers.

Emily Longman, SOC Manager, Oregon State University

What’s more is that students are guided by a curriculum that helps learners deepen their cybersecurity knowledge while getting hands-on training. The program starts with a course on the foundations of security operations, with students getting an opportunity to earn the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate once completed.

Then, they delve into the foundations of modern SOCs and focus on Threat Protection Engagement and Security AI. To apply their skills, they study core Microsoft security solutions and cloud security, which also prepares them to earn the MS Learn Applied Skills Badge: Configure SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) security operations using Microsoft Sentinel and the Microsoft Sentinel Training LinkedIn Learning Badge.

Gaining real-life experience

After earning the requisite badges, it’s time for hands-on labs with the Microsoft Security Unified SOC Platform and a gamified immersion experience featuring real-world security challenges. The program then culminates with an opportunity for participants to earn Microsoft Certifications like Security, Identity, and Compliance Fundamentals (SC-900) the Microsoft SOC Analyst Certification (SC-200). They can even obtain ACE (American Council on Education) college credit, helping them demonstrate their knowledge to future employers.

Longman notes that students feel their SOC experience is excellent preparation for the workforce. “They’re so glad they’re working with us because it’s such a good learning opportunity. It’s a really good compliment [sic] to the academics that they’re getting here. They’re really excited about… using tools like Microsoft Security Copilot. It’s definitely going to be something that will be used in industry and continue to grow throughout their careers.”

In addition to supporting a school’s core mission to prepare students for the future, the program benefits the institutions’ security posture. With training and certifications from Microsoft, high schools and universities can stay current with modern cyberthreats, ensuring their student SOC remains agile and responsive to an ever-evolving cyber landscape. They can also collaborate with experienced security partners specializing in student SOCs for expert guidance in setting up a SOC program that’s right for their institution, minimizing missed alerts, and providing an extra layer of security oversight.

Join us in shaping the future of cybersecurity

Reflecting on her experience, student Emily MacPherson is grateful she joined the student SOC at OSU. “I feel like I’m ahead compared to the average sophomore in college,” she says. “You should definitely do it.”

If you’re a university leader who’s interested in empowering the next generation of cybersecurity leaders, learn more about the Microsoft Student SOC initiative. Get started with the implementation guide and initial training paths by downloading them for free into your learning management system (LMS). Learn more about Microsoft Student SOC certifications by downloading the PDF. For additional information, you can also email Microsoft Student SOC support or contact your Microsoft Account Representative.

If you’re a student who’s interested in starting a student SOC at your school, share this blog with your university’s IT team and join the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors LinkedIn group.

The post Student SOCs turn college experience into career readiness appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Around the world, the education sector is increasingly targeted by cyberthreats. In fact, education was the third-most targeted industry by cybercriminals in Q2 2024, and the second-most targeted sector by nation-state threat actors in 2024. These attacks often carry devastating consequences, from identity theft to severe breaches across education networks and systems. With the rise of digital learning and the proliferation of connected devices—alongside continually evolving threats—IT departments face a greater challenge to secure digital environments in education.

In the modern threat landscape, it’s important to consider whether your cybersecurity strategy is equipped to help you navigate these challenges. Deploying the most up-to-date devices, software, and operating systems can help close security vulnerabilities and build proactive protection. Windows 11 helps you strengthen your overall security posture, drive greater productivity, and build safer communities for learning, working, and teaching.

Unlock greater productivity while maintaining robust and comprehensive protection

Today, organizations around the world are rethinking their security approaches down to their hardware. Cybersecurity software alone is no longer enough to protect systems as bad actors leverage new technologies and tactics to bypass defenses and access critical resources.

Designed to address education’s most critical cyberthreats, Windows 11 is the most secure version of Windows to date, designed with security built into each level, including:

• Cloud
• Identity
• Application
• Operating system
• Hardware

The default security features of Windows 11 were created based on threat intelligence, global regulatory requirements, and Microsoft Security expertise. Through partnerships with original equipment manufacturers and silicon manufacturers, Windows 11 is designed for greater security starting at the chip level—enabling hardware and software to work together to shrink the organizational attack surface, protect system integrity, and secure institutional data.

To simplify deployment for IT teams, Windows 11 comes with key out-of-the-box features enabled, including:

• Credential safeguards
• Application protection
• Malware shields

It’s also designed to integrate with Microsoft Security Copilot, which leverages generative AI capabilities to provide greater insights and efficiency to help improve security at scale. Windows 11 Pro devices drive a 62% drop in reported security incidents and are shown to accelerate workflows by 50% on average, helping you and your organization achieve more with less time and effort. Let’s take a deeper look at how Windows 11 helps you tackle cybersecurity challenges across different environments.

Application safeguards help keep critical data safe

Windows 11 offers a complete platform for educational institutions to house and protect critical applications such as learning management systems (LMS), administrative software, and productivity tools. Attackers often target poorly secured applications, which is why Windows 11 provides you with built-in capabilities such as preemptive application and driver control to isolate breaches quickly. Robust application safeguards help you maintain governance of your sensitive data, including:

• Student records
• Financial information
• Access credentials
• Research data

Windows 11 is designed to support Zero Trust strategies, which play a key role in helping you strengthen application and operating system protection. This approach is centered around the principles of “verify explicitly, use least privilege access, and assume breach,” meaning that you and your team can verify each access request as though it originated from an uncontrolled network—instead of assuming that everything behind the firewall is safe.

To that end, Windows 11 enables you to more easily find and detect cyberthreats, respond to them, and prevent or block undesired events across your education institution. In the case of a presumed breach, you can combat common application attacks from the moment a device is provisioned. When it comes to network security, granting access within a trust-by-exception policy versus a trust-by-default policy helps better protect the digital security, privacy, and compliance needs of your educational community.

Deliver end-to-end protection with Windows 11 cloud-based device management

With the introduction of more tech solutions, many education institutions face new challenges in managing cybersecurity. Having more devices across school and home environments creates more access points for potential attackers. To get ahead of potential breaches, get started with proactive, end-to-end device management strategies that help protect privacy and security.

Windows 11 helps empower you and your IT team by offering comprehensive cloud services for identity, storage, and access management. Adhering to Zero Trust principles, enforcing compliance, and granting conditional access helps verify that Windows 11 devices connected to an organization’s networks are trustworthy and safe. With more than 90% of ransom-stage cyberattacks leveraging unmanaged devices in a network, interoperable cloud-based device management solutions enable you to secure the digital estate and quickly respond to threats.

Managing and enabling secure use of devices at scale can also be a challenge for IT departments at education institutions. To give you and your team greater visibility and control over their digital estate, Windows 11 offers an integrated management suite. This suite supports comprehensive endpoint management solutions such as Microsoft Intune that help secure, deploy, and manage users, apps, and devices.¹ Intune can further integrate with Microsoft Entra ID to manage security features and processes, including multifactor authentication.

Additionally, Windows Hello enables you to deploy passwordless authentication for a safer and simpler sign-in experience. Thanks to the addition of passkeys, students can enjoy even greater security and convenience by using their face, fingerprint, or PIN to sign in to websites and apps. Enhanced threat detection on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint helps shield devices against phishing and malware and empowers IT teams to thwart attacks before they cause harm.¹ By adding Security Copilot, IT staff can leverage natural language queries to get holistic insights on the security and safety of their organization, which can help drive better decision-making and strategic planning.

Start preparing now for future security protections

In planning your security approach, your institution has an opportunity to adopt modern, secure, and highly efficient computing solutions that help your organization tackle the cybersecurity challenges of today and tomorrow. Windows 11 offers powerful, hardware-backed protection that provides a foundation for implementing new technology solutions as they’re developed, such as AI that helps accelerate workflows and supercharge efficiency of operations.

Now is the time to identify devices in your organization that are due for upgrades and start improving your institution’s security and your IT team’s efficiency today. Get started with these resources:

• Evaluate which of your devices are eligible for updates by reviewing the Windows 11 hardware requirements.
• Join the Windows Insider Program for Business to evaluate your readiness and explore new features.
• Start developing a plan for your organization’s upgrade to Windows 11.

¹ Sold separately from Windows 11

The post Building resilient digital security in education with Windows 11 appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Safer Internet Day 2025 offers us an opportunity to “work together for a better internet” today and throughout the year. Join us to help students improve their digital literacy skills and explore the responsible use of AI with CyberSafe AI: Dig Deeper and other exciting resources.

Dig deeper into the world of AI with Minecraft

Minecraft Education’s CyberSafe series uses game-based learning to help students boost their digital citizenship skills like recognizing common online threats, building strategies to protect themselves, and exploring ways to safeguard their personal information. In the latest installment, CyberSafe AI: Dig Deeper, learners develop skills to use AI tools responsibly by tackling real-world challenges and exploring questions of academic integrity, human oversight, data privacy, and deepfakes. Immerse your students in this fun Minecraft world and empower them to think critically and use AI responsibly. This collection includes an educator guide and classroom-ready PowerPoint and family toolkit for at-home learning.

Keep the adventure going with more lessons in Minecraft’s CyberSafe series:

• Home Sweet Hmm: Students learn to recognize common threats on the internet, build strategies for protecting themselves and their information, and to know where to go if they need help.
• Privacy Prodigy: Students explore what personal data is, who should have access to their data, when it’s acceptable to share their data, and how to manage their personal data.
• Good Game: Students build digital literacy and digital citizenship skills while learning the responsibilities, tools, responses, and strategies needed to foster digital well-being and build positive connections.

Teach cyber safety with Minecraft

Created through partnerships with industry experts, Minecraft Education has lessons focused on cybersecurity, online safety, and digital citizenship aligned to Cyber.org and CSTA standards. The full cyber curriculum progression helps students of all ages build foundational skills and offers pathways and credentialing for careers in cyber.

Built into age-appropriate bands, the activities build incrementally and give you easy entry points through lesson plans and video tutorials. Explore the curriculum collections that you can start using anytime:

• CyberSafe: Teach students ages 7-11 cyber and digital safety skills with topics like online safety, spotting phishing scams, password protection, and cloud storage for photos. Introduce digital citizenship, data privacy, and data centers, aiming to protect personal data and raise career awareness in the digital world.
• Cyber Fundamentals: Empower students ages 10-14 through hands-on experiences in building network components and encrypting data. Students will investigate malware and save the school’s network as part of the Incident Response Team.
• Cyber Expert: Build digital fluency and cyber skills in students ages 13-18. They’ll explore encryption, social engineering, the effects of malware, and techniques to combat it. They’ll learn to prevent digital threats, fix affected systems, and explore cybersecurity careers.

Cyber safety resources for educators

Preparing your students to navigate the digital world starts with developing your own skills and confidence around tools and knowledge to teach cyber safety effectively. Microsoft Education offers resources designed to support educators, school leaders, and families, to build students’ cyber skills.

Begin discussing internet safety with students with help from these resources from Microsoft Education:

• K-12 Cybersecurity Conversation Guide: Get practical tips and conversation starters for talking about safe online practices and cyber hygiene with your students.
• K-12 Cybersecurity Infographic: Use visual examples of phishing links and scam ads to teach students how to identify online threats.

Explore Microsoft Learn modules designed to enhance your instructional strategies and cybersecurity proficiency:

• Build cybersecurity resilience in K-12 classrooms: Gain skills to anticipate common cyber threats, implement security measures, and educate others to build a strong cybersecurity culture that helps protect yourself and your students.
• Boost K-12 school cybersecurity leadership: Learn to apply Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommended cybersecurity practices to foster awareness and preparedness, safeguard schools, and counter cyber threats effectively.

Expand your teaching toolkit with a deeper dive into Minecraft Education:

• Join the Minecraft Teacher Academy to access free on-demand resources and training.
• Connect with over 10,000 educators and experts in the Minecraft Teachers’ Lounge for tips and ideas.

Tackling abusive AI-generated content risks through education and empowerment

For almost a decade, Microsoft has marked Safer Internet Day by releasing research on how individuals of all ages perceive and experience risk online. Last year, we highlighted the growing importance of AI. This year, in our ninth Global Online Safety Survey, we’ve dug deeper to understand how people view and are using this technology, as well as how well they can identify AI-generated content.

Our findings show that while there’s been a global increase in active AI users (up to 51% compared to 38% in 2023), worries about the technology have also increased: 88% of people were worried about generative AI, compared to 83% last year. Further, our data confirms that people have difficulty in identifying AI-generated content, which may amplify abusive AI content risks.

We’re committed to advancing AI responsibly to realize its benefits. Fundamental to this is the work we do to protect our users from potential harms. Last year, we launched a Family Safety Toolkit, which provides guidance on how to leverage Microsoft’s safety features and family safety settings to support and enhance digital parenting, plus guidance for families looking to navigate the world of generative AI together.

We’re announcing a new partnership with Childnet, a leading UK organization dedicated to making the internet a safer place for children. Together, we’re developing educational materials aimed at preventing the misuse of AI, such as the creation of deepfakes. These resources will be available to schools and families, providing valuable information on how to protect children from online risks.

Join us and celebrate Safer Internet Day on February 11, 2025. Online safety activities and resources from Microsoft and Minecraft Education can support and empower your school community. Get started today and help everyone navigate the digital world safely and confidently.

The post Leading the way to a safer internet together appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

For Safer Internet Day, we invite school IT professionals to explore tools that create safer online experiences. Start by discovering tools and strategies to create a safer internet for your school community.

Teach students the fundamentals of safe online behavior

We recognize that everyone has a role to play in cybersecurity and online safety. To get started, begin discussing internet safety with students, educators, and families with help from these resources from Microsoft Education:

• K-12 Cybersecurity Conversation Guide – Get practical tips and conversation starters for discussing safe online practices and cyber hygiene with students.
• K-12 Cybersecurity Infographic – Use visual examples of phishing links and scam ads to help everyone learn how to identify online threats.

As students develop essential digital skills, they’ll become more aware of the threats that often target schools, social media apps, and the communication tools they use daily. Help them understand the cause and effect, so they can learn how to protect themselves and recognize the importance of staying vigilant.

A suite of products that work together

Every student deserves a secure technology environment that maximizes learning, but cyberthreats continue to jeopardize cyber safety in schools and institutions. With more than 15,000 malicious messages targeting the education sector daily, this year’s Safer Internet Day theme of “together for a better internet” comes at a critical time for schools and institutions.

With Microsoft 365 Education A3 and A5 plans and security add-ons, you can deliver innovative protection through a single, cost-effective platform. Tools like Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2 – Students and Microsoft Purview provide seamless, integrated solutions to protect students and educators.

Dedicated protection for student devices

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2 – Students offers enhanced device protection that shields students’ devices from phishing, malware, and other attacks. With Defender for Endpoint, you can:

• Identify and neutralize cyberthreats in real time using advanced detection technology.
• Disrupt in-progress cyberattacks by automatically containing compromised assets early, minimizing impact and recovery time.
• Protect student data with industry-leading encryption protocols.
• Remotely track, lock, or wipe devices to safeguard sensitive information in case of a lost or stolen device.
• Monitor and update devices to protect against the latest vulnerabilities.
• Ensure safe browsing for students by blocking harmful or malicious websites with robust web content filters.

Web filtering is a core component of Defender for Endpoint. You can use it to block adult content, criminal activities, and social networking sites so that students are unable to access inappropriate content while they browse the web. Web content filtering also blocks harmful content before it reaches devices.

For example, a middle school student conducting research for a class project would be less likely to stumble on a website with malware because it would be blocked through Defender for Endpoint. The student would be able to continue their work without disruption—and educators and IT teams can continue devoting their time to engaging learning experiences, instead of managing a security incident.

Defender for Endpoint also sends alerts of suspicious activities and threats. If a bad actor tries to attack a student device on a compromised, public Wi-Fi network, your school IT team is alerted to suspicious activity and Defender for Endpoint automatically blocks the threat before any sensitive information is compromised.

Our commitment to safe online experiences includes providing you with the tools you need to protect student devices. With Microsoft Defender Threat Intelligence analyzing more than 78 trillion daily signals, Defender for Endpoint safeguards learning environments from emerging online threats.

Addressing cyberbullying with Microsoft Purview

Preventing cyberbullying requires proactive strategies and effective tools. In schools around the world, educators teach students to be upstanders who “say something if they see something” and report bullying and harassment in their classrooms. Good digital citizenship practices like reporting, coupled with security solutions like Microsoft Purview, can go a long way to creating a safe space for all.

Microsoft Purview is a comprehensive set of solutions in Microsoft 365 Education A5 plans that helps your institution secure and govern your entire data estate. You can use Microsoft Purview as a part of a systematic approach to cyberbullying by leveraging some of its solutions in unique ways:

• Microsoft Purview Communication Compliance: Monitor harmful messages and images in Microsoft Teams for Education with policies that flag disparaging or self-harm remarks. Machine learning detects intent behind messages, empowering administrators to act quickly.
• Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention: Protect records by preventing students from deleting files or data that’s a part of a cyberbullying incident. Set up alerts when someone attempts to delete data so that you can have a complete record for investigation and compliance requirements.
• Insider Risk Management: Detect instances when students or staff send hateful messages or make harmful threats across Microsoft and third-party platforms. Integrated tools enable IT, human resources, and legal departments to collaboratively investigate incidents.
• Microsoft Purview eDiscovery: Create policies that maintain records of cyberbullying incidents so that your school can stay in compliance with laws like the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Use this solution to discover, preserve, and analyze sensitive content in email and instant messages on Microsoft systems and third-party platforms like learning management systems (LMS).

Both Defender for Endpoint P2 – Students and the Microsoft Purview compliance suite are a part of our ongoing commitment to creating secure learning experiences. For Safer Internet Day 2025, take the opportunity to bolster your school’s cybersecurity defenses and foster a secure technology environment for all.

The post Adopting cybersecurity solutions and strategies for a safer internet appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

The principles of Trustworthy AI—fairness, reliability and safety, privacy and security, inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability—are central to Microsoft Security’s approach. Security teams can use these principles to prepare for AI implementation. Watch the video to learn how Microsoft Security builds a trustworthy foundation for developing and using AI.

Microsoft runs on trust, and trust must be earned and maintained. Our pledge to our customers and our community is to prioritize your cyber safety above all else.

Charlie Bell, Executive Vice President Security, Microsoft

Gain visibility into AI usage and find associated risks

Introducing generative AI into educational institutions offers tremendous opportunities to transform the way students learn. With that comes potential risks, such as sensitive data exposure and improper AI interactions. Purview offers comprehensive insights into user activities within Microsoft Copilot. Here’s how Purview helps you manage these risks:

• Cloud native: Manage and deliver protection in Microsoft 365 apps, services, and Windows endpoints.
• Unified: Enforce policy controls and manage policies from a single location.
• Integrated: Classify roles, apply data loss prevention (DLP) policies, and incorporate incident management.
• Simplified: Get started quickly with pre-built policies and migration tools.

Microsoft Purview Data Security Posture Management for AI (DSPM for AI) offers a centralized platform to efficiently secure data used in AI applications and proactively monitor AI usage. This service includes Microsoft 365 Copilot, other Microsoft copilots, and third-party AI applications. DSPM for AI provides features designed to help you safely adopt AI while maintaining productivity or protection:

• Gain insights and analytics into AI activity within your organization.
• Use ready-to-implement policies to protect data and prevent loss in AI interactions.
• Conduct data assessments to identify, remediate, and monitor potential data oversharing.
• Apply compliance controls for optimal data handling and storage practices.

Purview offers real-time AI activity monitoring, enabling quick resolution of security concerns.

Protect your institution’s sensitive data

Educational institutions are trusted with vast amounts of sensitive data. To maintain trust, they must overcome several unique challenges, including managing sensitive student and staff data and retaining historical records for alumni and former employees. These complexities increase the risk of cyberthreats, making a data lifecycle management plan critical.

Microsoft Entra ID enables you to control access to sensitive information. For instance, if an unauthorized user attempts to retrieve sensitive data, Copilot will block access, safeguarding student and staff data. Here are key features that help protect your data:

• Understand and govern data: Manage visibility and governance of data assets across your environment.
• Safeguard data, wherever it lives: Protect sensitive data across clouds, apps, and devices.
• Improve risk and compliance posture: Identify data risks and meet regulatory compliance requirements.

Microsoft Entra Conditional Access is integral to this process to safeguard data by ensuring only authorized users access the information they need. With Microsoft Entra Conditional Access, you can create policies for generative AI apps like Copilot or ChatGPT, allowing access only to users on compliant devices who accept the Terms of Use.

Implement Zero Trust for AI security

In the AI era, Zero Trust is essential for protecting employees, devices, and data by minimizing threats. This security framework requires that all users—inside or outside your network—are authenticated, authorized, and continuously validated before accessing applications and data. Enforcing security policies at the endpoint is key to implementing Zero Trust across your organization. A strong endpoint management strategy enhances AI language models and improves security and productivity.

Before you introduce Microsoft 365 Copilot into your environment, Microsoft recommends that you build a strong foundation of security. Fortunately, guidance for a strong security foundation exists in the form of Zero Trust. The Zero Trust security strategy treats each connection and resource request as though it originated from an uncontrolled network and a bad actor. Regardless of where the request originates or what resource it accesses, Zero Trust teaches us to “never trust, always verify.”

Read “How do I apply Zero Trust principles to Microsoft 365 Copilot” for steps to apply the principles of Zero Trust security to prepare your environment for Copilot.

Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint work together to give you visibility and control of your data and devices. These tools let you block or warn users about risky cloud apps. Unsanctioned apps are automatically synced and blocked across endpoint devices through Microsoft Defender Antivirus within the Network Protection service level agreement (SLA). Key features include:

• Triage and investigation – Gain detailed alert descriptions and context, investigate device activity with full timelines, and access robust data and analysis tools to expand the breach scope.
• Incident narrative – Reconstruct the broader attack story by merging relevant alerts, reducing investigative effort, and improving incident scope and fidelity.
• Threat analytics – Monitor your threat posture with interactive reports, identify unprotected systems in real-time, and receive actionable guidance to enhance security resilience and address emerging threats.

Using Microsoft Intune, you can restrict the use of work apps like Microsoft 365 Copilot on personal devices or implement app protection policies to prevent data leakage and limit actions such as saving files to unsecured apps. All work content, including that generated by Copilot, can be wiped if the device is lost or disassociated from the company, with these measures running in the background requiring only user logon.

Assess your AI readiness

Evaluating your readiness for AI transformation can be complex. Taking a strategic approach helps you evaluate your capabilities, identify areas for improvement, and align with your priorities to maximum value.

The AI Readiness Wizard is designed to guide you through this process. Use the assessment to:

• Evaluate your current state.
• Identify gaps in your AI strategy.
• Plan actionable next steps.

This structured assessment helps you reflect on your current practices and identify key areas to prioritize as you shape your strategy. You’ll also find resources at every stage to help you advance and support your progress.

As your AI program evolves, prioritizing security and compliance from the start is essential. Microsoft tools such as Microsoft Purview, Microsoft Entra, Microsoft Defender, and Microsoft Intune help ensure your AI applications and data are innovative, secure, and trustworthy by design. Get started with the next step in securing your AI future by using the AI Readiness Wizard to evaluate your current preparedness and develop a strategy for successful AI implementation. Get started with Microsoft Security to build a secure, trustworthy AI program that empowers your students and staff.

The post Get ready for AI: How education institutions can secure and govern AI appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Findings from the 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report from Microsoft and LinkedIn show that the cybersecurity industry has an urgent talent shortage that’s expected to grow. MSLE aims to help educators build an effective and continuously updated curriculum to teach students these cybersecurity skills and prepare them for the workplace of the future.

Whether you need guidance on integrating security teaching into your curriculum or you’re an experienced security educator looking to discover additional resources and labs, MSLE has you covered.

Work with Microsoft Training Services Partners to be cybersecurity ready

In August 2024, we launched the MSLE Cybersecurity and AI Bootcamp, building on the popular MSLE Foundational AI Bootcamp. The MSLE Cybersecurity and AI Bootcamp is designed to prepare educators and faculty across multiple disciplines to use MSLE curricula and classroom resources to teach students critical security concepts, threat mitigation, and related AI skills. The bootcamp takes the form of flexible, train-the-trainer sessions, either in person or virtually, depending on your school’s or institution’s preferences.

“We know that it’s really hard for educational institutions to not only keep their curriculum up to date on technical topics,” explains Liz Butowicz, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of Microsoft Training Services Partner (TSP) Black Dog Black Cat, “but also to skill their faculty and educators on delivering those new skills to their students. Microsoft developed the Microsoft Learn for Educators AI Bootcamps program to tackle these problems.”

Bootcamps are led by trainers from the global network of Microsoft TSPs equipped with official MSLE resources. They’re designed to train higher education and other post-secondary educators on how to use these resources within their existing course syllabi, create new courses or programs, and deliver Microsoft Certification exam preparation courses to their students. “Educators are often just presented with resources,” continues Butowicz, “and they need to figure out what to use. In the bootcamps, we can walk them through that and help speed up adoption of the material.”

The bootcamp structure and content can be customized to meet your institution’s specific needs, and it is typically divided into three sessions.

The three-part Microsoft Learn for Educators Cybersecurity and AI Bootcamp was fantastic, helping our faculty understand the AI-related teaching resources within MSLE they can now use in their courses. It can be difficult to find technical instructors, and the bootcamp helped build instructional capacity and can help educators transition into advanced teaching roles.

Jonathan W. Townes, Vice President of Career and Technical Education, Sponsored Grants, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Initiatives, Hinds Community College

Boost your cybersecurity curriculum with MSLE training resources

Even if you don’t feel the need for an instructor-led bootcamp experience, you can still use MSLE resources to help you learn new skills and build curricula around cybersecurity and AI-related concepts. With MSLE offerings, you can access tools and resources to enable innovative, experiential learning to augment students’ existing degree paths.

MSLE uses Microsoft Official Courseware (MOC), along with up-to-date training materials that feature an emphasis on real-world scenarios. The program includes instructional tools, test preparation content, interactive labs, and resources supporting Microsoft Certifications—all designed to integrate into your classes.

Microsoft’s teaching resources and materials, with self-paced study and certification options, [made] it ideal for teachers and students in any subject: science, math, and even humanities. The content can be used in any course or classroom and [can] help students prepare for future transitions into higher education or the workforce.

Jonathan W. Townes, Vice President of Career and Technical Education, Sponsored Grants, and HBCU Initiatives, Hinds Community College

MSLE also offers professional development, training resources, and support for educators and faculty at your institution through TSPs. This is coupled with community features, such as forums, networking sessions, office hours with community managers, and more. The program also offers discounted exam vouchers to help you get certified to teach cutting-edge technology subjects.

Take the next steps with MSLE

MSLE is here to help you get the training and skills you need to prepare your students for the opportunities of the era of AI and cybersecurity. To learn more about bootcamps or to find a TSP and discuss joining a bootcamp, check out the MSLE AI Bootcamp for Educators.

To access training materials, education resources, and more, join the Microsoft Learn for Educators program for free.

The post Level up your cybersecurity curriculum with MSLE appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

As an IT professional, your role is vital in protecting sensitive school data, securing devices, and maintaining safe learning environments. Microsoft cybersecurity solutions like passwordless multifactor authentication (MFA), Defender for Endpoint P2-Students, and Copilot for Security are designed to help you defend your school’s devices and data. Additionally, information from the latest Cyber Signals report can assist in creating a secure environment that persists through any cybersecurity challenges that might arise.

Assessing the cyber signals in K-20 education

The latest edition of Microsoft’s Cyber Signals report covers cybersecurity challenges facing classrooms and campuses everywhere and the urgent need for robust defenses and proactive security measures. The digital footprint made by schools, colleges, and universities has multiplied exponentially—from virtual classes to classified research stored in the cloud—requiring IT professionals to remain vigilant and focused on emerging cyberthreats.

Education continues to be one of the most targeted industries for cyberattacks and social engineering exploits that trick people into disclosing personally identifiable information (PII). According to the report:

• Education was the third most targeted industry for cybercriminals over the past three months. The US had the greatest threat activity.
• Over 15,000 phishing messages with malicious QR codes were sent each day to people in the education sector.
• Higher education institutions encounter an average of 2,507 cyberattacks each week.

These signals reinforce what you already know: the education community is the “tip of the spear” for cybercriminals because of its data-rich environments, legacy infrastructure, and the security risks created by people who are often extremely busy. Despite these hurdles, there are steps you can take to strengthen your institution’s security posture. Discover a few tips that you can implement today.

1. Secure all accounts with passwordless MFA

K-12 schools, colleges, and universities are increasingly adopting passwordless MFA as a more secure way to protect accounts when people like young students don’t have a phone or secondary device. The solution uses MFA techniques and a temporary access pass (TAP) for verification, eliminating the chance of a weak, overused password becoming compromised.

Passwordless authentication also helps create efficiencies and saves you time. Your students, faculty, and staff don’t have to remember complex passwords, and you spend less time resetting passwords when they are forgotten.

PII, such as social security numbers (SSNs) in the US, are attractive for cybercriminals to steal from K-12 school districts because the relatively little-used SSNs of a child might be usable for widespread fraud well before the identity theft is detected.

Cyber Signals Issue 8, October 2024

Microsoft Entra ID can enable passwordless MFA for everyone at all education levels using device-bound services like Windows Hello that aren’t transmitted or stored on outside platforms. This type of MFA involves sharing a TAP that onboards students to passwordless sign-in methods. Even if a cybercriminal steals a TAP, they can’t access the account on another device because of the device-bound requirements.

By adopting passwordless MFA, your school or institution can enhance overall security and also meet the stringent requirements for cyber insurance. K-12 schools can also take advantage of funding opportunities like the FCC’s $200 million Cybersecurity Pilot Program for schools in the US.

To get started using passwordless MFA for students, check out these resources:

• Empowering secure and seamless learning: Learn more about using MFA without a smartphone and leveraging passwordless device access instead.
• Passwordless authentication options: Explore the different methods available for Microsoft Entra ID.

2. Secure student devices with Defender for Endpoint P2-Students

Students face cyberthreats when they use a connected device, browse the Internet, or check their messages—even if the cyberthreats aren’t apparent to them. Cybercriminals are pivoting to new attack methods like using QR codes to deliver malware through email and even campus fliers. This opens new security loopholes because QR codes are often scanned with unprotected personal devices.

Recently the United States Federal Trade Commission issued a consumer alert on the rising threat of malicious QR codes being used to steal log-in credentials or deliver malware.

Cyber Signals Issue 8, October 2024

You can ensure secure learning experiences with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2-Students. This highly discounted, comprehensive solution secures endpoint devices with industry-leading, multiplatform threat detection and response. It works in concert with Microsoft 365 to stop phishing, ransomware, and malware even if the attacks originate from a nontraditional method like a QR code image. With Defender for Endpoint P2-Students, you’ll be able to:

• Detect and prevent threats.
• Disrupt attacks automatically.
• Offer more secure web browsing.
• Encrypt device data and protect privacy.
• Maintain security with continuous updates.

By implementing Defender for Endpoint P2-Students, your school can significantly enhance its cybersecurity posture while giving students the protection they need to learn in a safe digital environment.

Explore this tool in more depth in Defend against threats with Microsoft 365, a learning path designed to help you use Microsoft Defender to the fullest.

3. Extend your threat-fighting capabilities with Copilot for Security

Cybercriminals often target sensitive financial, health, and personal data stored by schools and institutions alike. The consequences of a data breach in higher education are particularly worrisome—many universities handle federally funded research and sensitive intellectual property that’s valuable to nation-state actors. Unauthorized access not only puts institutional security and reputation at risk, but it also can have implications for our nation’s security when the data is part of a defense contract or when the research involves intellectual property from a company sponsor.

The types of threats that we’re seeing, the types of events that are occurring in higher education, are much more aggressive by cyber adversaries.

David McMorries, Chief Information Security Officer at Oregon State University

Copilot for Security can help you discover, analyze, detect, and remediate your organization’s cyberthreats. Simply ask Copilot a question, and it will return an actionable response in seconds that helps you tackle common security tasks. Copilot for Security allows you to effortlessly and seamlessly:

• Analyze threats.
• Learn about security incidents.
• Generate profiles of threat actors.
• Summarize threat intelligence.
• Create policies and configure devices.
• Discover users who might be at risk for data exploitation.

By integrating Copilot for Security into your daily operations, you receive customized guidance based on signals from each of your security tools and Microsoft’s industry-leading threat intelligence. It also minimizes much of the research and legwork that goes into investigating and remediating cybersecurity issues which saves you time so that you can focus on other IT responsibilities.

Use the Get started with Microsoft Copilot for Security learning path on Microsoft Learn to discover how Copilot for Security helps IT professionals address end-to-end cybersecurity scenarios.

For Cybersecurity Month 2024, explore Microsoft solutions like passwordless MFA, Defender for Endpoint P2-Students, and Copilot for Security to help you stay ahead of emerging threats. To build practical skills, dive into learning paths for IT professionals to gain in-depth knowledge about all of our cybersecurity, compliance, and identity solutions. These tools and resources can support you in securing your school’s digital infrastructure and creating a safer learning environment one step at a time.

The post Three tips for IT professionals for Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024 appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.