SDCOE Cybersecurity Team Receives Regional Recognition

The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) Cybersecurity team was named the winner of the 2025 Cybersecurity Stewardship Award for Organization of the Year, presented by the San Diego Business Journal and the San Diego Cybersecurity Center of Excellence.

This recognition highlights SDCOE’s leadership in protecting the data of San Diego County’s K-12 students, staff, and families.

The team’s innovative approach includes establishing California’s only K-12 Security Operations Center, developing the Red Herring phishing simulation and training platform, and creating cybersecurity programs tailored for both students and staff. These efforts have strengthened cyber safety, awareness, and workforce development throughout the region, directly supporting SDCOE’s North Star goal and Strategic Plan priorities.

The Integrated Technology Services (ITS) Cybersecurity team provides real-time threat intelligence, monitoring, support, and incident response services to 43 school districts and 129 charter schools. Their phishing simulation and awareness training have reached more than 200,000 staff members statewide, fostering a culture of cyber vigilance across education.

To support smaller and rural districts, the team offers enterprise-level cybersecurity services, ensuring that every school, regardless of size or capacity, has access to robust protection resources. They also lead annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month campaigns and community education initiatives to promote digital safety beyond the classroom.

In addition to technical services, ITS is helping build the next generation of cybersecurity professionals through paid internships and bootcamps for JCCS students. These programs provide hands-on experience and clear career pathways in a growing field.

The team also collaborates with state, national, and local agencies to share intelligence and best practices, reinforcing a collective defense strategy across the education sector.

SDCOE’s recognition as Organization of the Year underscores its ongoing commitment to innovation, equity, and excellence in cybersecurity for K-12 education.