CoSN Report: Cybersecurity Is Top Concern, AI Guardrails Needed

In 2026, cybersecurity and governance emerged as the top priorities for K-12 leaders, shifting from previous emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) adoption.
Districts reported moving from rapid AI experimentation to a focus on risk management and building trust, while dealing with security and budget constraints.
Cybersecurity and privacy are now primary concerns, with nearly two-thirds of districts citing budget insufficiency and over half lacking proper staff training as the main barriers.
AI governance is becoming more formal, with nearly 80% of districts establishing official AI guidelines and most districts having AI initiatives underway.
Districts are increasingly using procurement practices to ensure AI vendor accountability, though fewer require comprehensive quality indicators from vendors.
While districts show strong foundational IT capacity, support for the instructional use of technology and achieving actual educational benefits is lacking due to staff shortages and budget issues.

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