Vendor Access: The Overlooked Risk in K-12

Why Vendor Accounts Can Be a Backdoor for Attackers

Most school districts rely on outside vendors—transportation software providers, SIS platforms, HVAC monitoring services, and more. Vendors need access to get the job done, but here’s the catch: that access often sticks around long after the project ends.

Old VPN logins and unused admin accounts create wide-open doors for attackers. And because many districts assume vendors are secure by default, they rarely check whether MFA is enforced, data is encrypted, or security standards are followed.

Attackers Know the Shortcut

Cybercriminals look for the path of least resistance. Instead of breaking directly into a district, they target a vendor who already has a foot in the door. It’s like slipping into a building with the cleaning crew’s key card—fast, quiet, and effective.

How Schools Can Stay Safe

Districts can reduce risk by:

  • Keeping an up-to-date inventory of all vendor accounts
  • Enforcing MFA and strong password policies for vendors
  • Promptly removing access when a project ends
  • Asking basic security questions before signing contracts

Vendor access is necessary—but unmanaged vendor access is dangerous. By treating vendors like an extension of your security perimeter, schools can close one of the most overlooked backdoors into their systems.

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