For many years, cybersecurity has remained the top priority and number one concern for school districts across the country, with large gaps between districts’ data security needs and funding available to meet those needs. Challenges associated with cybersecurity were well understood, even where they could not be easily overcome. AI introduced a technology with which educational leaders were far less acquainted, but have more recently begun eagerly adopting. A whopping 96% of education technology leaders now view AI as having the potential to positively affect education.

CoSN’s 2026 State of Edtech report reveals a collision of these two major Edtech giants, with educators now facing the added data security risk of AI enabled cyberattacks, while still grappling with funding gaps to address increasing cyber insurance premiums, insufficient cybersecurity staffing, and the lack of a dedicated budget to address these issues. 

While some school districts are mitigating these risks by implementing procurement policies requiring vendors to provide product safety information before adoption, these types of policies are far from being the norm, leaving many, if not most districts exposed. 

Check out the full text of COSN’s report, U.S. State of EdTech 2026 linked here: https://www.cosn.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/U.S.-State-of-EdTech-2026.pdf 

Today’s education technology leaders are responsible not only for maintaining infrastructure, but also for supporting instructional practice, protecting student data, enabling innovation, and engaging families and communities around responsible technology use. Education technology leaders need to navigate a landscape that is ever-changing. In 2026 there is nearly ubiquitous 1:1 implementation at all grade levels and districts face community concerns about screen time.

This year’s report examines both emerging and long-standing issues, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, connectivity, staffing, procurement, and device management. Together, these findings help education technology leaders benchmark progress, inform district decision-making, and support policymakers and system leaders seeking to strengthen learning environments through the thoughtful use of technology.

www.cosn.org/…