Cybersecurity in the Age of AI: What the Data Reveals — and Why Your District Should Be Part of It
Cybersecurity in the Age of AI: What the Data Reveals — and Why Your District Should Be Part of It
RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT · 2026 DATA COLLECTION OPEN NOW
California K-12 technology leaders now have access to one of the most detailed comparative snapshots of district cybersecurity practices available — and this year, you have the opportunity to add your voice to the 2026 data.
Every year, Project Tomorrow’s Speak Up Research surveys thousands of district leaders on cybersecurity priorities, practices, and preparedness. The result is uniquely valuable to CITE members: a side-by-side view of where California stands relative to the national average across training effectiveness, funding, leadership awareness, and more. Access the 2025 report at https://www.tomorrow.org/resource/2025-cite-ca-cybersecurity-report/
When you can see that your district’s experience aligns with statewide norms, or diverges from them, you gain the evidence needed to advocate for change at the cabinet and board level. Here are four data points from the 2025 findings that show exactly why the comparison matters.
Where California Stands: 2025 Snapshot © Project Tomorrow 2025
|
% of Responses |
Finding |
vs. National |
|
48% |
of CA districts treat cybersecurity as a high priority |
61% nationally |
|
33% |
of CA districts have a dedicated cybersecurity budget line |
46% nationally |
|
37% |
of CA districts provide end-user training on a regular basis |
46% nationally |
|
74% |
now carry cybersecurity insurance |
66% nationally |
Numbers like these are useful in isolation. Their real power comes from the comparison. A California district sitting at 48% prioritization might feel like reasonable progress until the national figure reveals a 13-point gap. Knowing where California sits relative to the national benchmark gives technology leaders a concrete, evidence-based starting point for critical conversations.
On AI’s role in cybersecurity, the prevailing view among California technology leaders (65%) is that it’s both an opportunity and a challenge — a framing that opens productive discussions rather than foreclosing them. How your district navigates that duality, compared to peers, is exactly what the 2026 survey is designed to capture.
Participate in the 2026 Research — and Win a Free CITE Conference Registration
We invite you to add your voice to that conversation. The survey takes about 13 minutes to complete. Your responses shape the California-specific analysis, and all participants receive the full state and national comparative report. Your participation also enters you in a drawing for one of eight (8) free registrations to the CITE Conference, November 17–19, 2026. Winners will also be invited to an exclusive dinner with Dr. Julie Evans, CEO of Project Tomorrow, during the conference.
2025 National Report: tomorrow.org/resource/2025-cybersecurity-report Questions about the project: mgreen@tomorrow.org