As cyber threats increase and schools become more reliant on digital tools, cybersecurity in education has become a national concern. Onyinye Obioha-Val, a cybersecurity scholar, educator and engineer, is at the forefront of this issue.
With more than 10 years of cross-sector experience, her work supports the safe digital transition of educational institutions. Obioha-Val’s research is shaping how schools use technology, helping them protect sensitive data while staying compliant with privacy laws.
A dual perspective driving change in education tech
Obioha-Val’s background in both teaching and IT auditing shaped her path. Having worked directly with students and also assessed the digital risks of institutions, she saw firsthand how exposed schools can be.
“I’ve witnessed the vulnerability of educational institutions from two distinct perspectives,” she said. “Schools store sensitive student data and rely heavily on digital platforms, yet many lack the cybersecurity infrastructure needed to protect themselves.”
This realisation led her to focus on research that would provide practical solutions. She saw a knowledge and implementation gap, especially in under-resourced schools, and aimed to bridge it.
Her study on AI in schools showed a 75% drop in breaches where AI tools were used. She said, “AI allows schools to do more with less. It detects threats faster, automates responses, and reduces the burden on small or non-existent IT departments.”
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Making AI work in schools
Obioha-Val supports schools that are introducing AI in ways that are both practical and secure. She recommends beginning with simple, cloud-based threat detection tools. These tools should offer easy-to-understand dashboards and automatic alerts.
She explained, “The key is transparency—ensuring school leaders understand what the AI is doing—and starting with pilot programmes that can be evaluated and scaled.”
For her, training staff is essential. She noted that even the best systems are ineffective without users who understand them. Staff development must go hand in hand with technology adoption.
But not all schools are ready. Her research highlights three major obstacles: tight budgets, lack of skilled personnel, and ageing infrastructure. She proposes phased upgrades, building partnerships with technology providers, and investing in staff capacity.
“Cyber threats evolve quickly. That makes skill-building critical, but many schools are already overstretched,” she said.
Ethics, law and student data
One area Obioha-Val focuses on is the ethical use of AI in education. She cautions against using systems that cannot explain how they reach conclusions. In areas like student monitoring or behavioural assessment, this is especially important.
“There’s a risk that algorithms trained on biased data can make flawed decisions,” she said. Schools, she adds, must build systems that are fair, transparent and compliant with laws.
Her research shows that AI can support rather than undermine data privacy. In a recent study, schools using AI averaged 0.57 privacy violations compared to 1.50 in schools not using such tools. These systems helped with access control, flagged unauthorised activity, and kept records for audits.
She stressed the importance of legal compliance. “Any system handling student data must comply with FERPA and COPPA. It’s not just about protection—it’s about governance and accountability,” she said.
The road ahead for cybersecurity in schools
Obioha-Val believes that governments have a role to play in helping schools build resilience. She argues that policy should go beyond issuing requirements. Funding, training and infrastructure support are necessary to make these policies work in practice.
“Increased federal funding for cybersecurity tools, workforce training, and infrastructure upgrades can directly improve school safety,” she noted.
She also encourages partnerships. Schools can work with universities, professional groups and private companies to upskill staff or train students. Initiatives like the NICE Framework and the Student Alliance run by the National Cybersecurity Center are examples.
“Developing the talent pipeline early—especially among students—is a long-term but sustainable solution,” she said.
Recognition for her work is not what drives her. Instead, it is the impact she sees when schools adopt better practices. “Every time a school prevents a breach or adopts a new cybersecurity measure because of something I wrote or shared, that’s a win,” she said.
Her long-term goal is to help build systems where cybersecurity is part of the foundation, not an afterthought. “I want to see educational institutions become leaders in digital trust and resilience,” she said.
Obioha-Val envisions a future where schools are safe places for both physical and digital learning. Through research, education, and collaboration, she is helping schools move in that direction—one system, one policy, and one student at a time.
