The Biden administration says it want to get ahead of ransomware attacks against schools before tens of millions of pupils resume studies later this month.

Typically understaffed and underfunded when it comes to cybersecurity, American K-12 schools have experienced a ramp-up in ransomware attacks, particularly after the novel coronavirus pandemic forced hasty adoption of remote tools for teaching. School districts in four states – Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota and West Virginia – had to cancel classes or close completely after a cyberattack during the last school year, the White House told reporters Sunday evening.