When the Bell Doesn't Ring: The Shocking Aftermath of K12 Cyber Attacks with Alex Inman and Bob Cireddu

Learning Through Technology

Technology has revolutionized nearly every aspect of our lives, and education is no exception. Integrating technology in classrooms has brought about significant changes, offering new opportunities and challenges for students and educators.

In this episode of Learning Through Technology, hosts Alex and Bob celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month by exploring the critical issue of cybersecurity in schools. Bob leads the discussion, walking through the actual aftermath of a K12 cyber attack, addressing common misconceptions about school cybersecurity preparedness, sharing lessons from actual incidents, and outlining essential steps in managing ransomware attacks. The episode highlights the importance of proactive planning, including the "3-2-1" backup strategy and building a robust incident response plan. Alex and Bob also stress the need for effective communication with stakeholders and underscore that cybersecurity is not just a technology issue but a community-wide challenge.

Here are the key touchpoints from the discussion:

• The Reality of Cyber Attacks
• The Ransomware Attack Scenario
• Immediate Response to an Attack
• Managing Operations During a Crisis
• The Importance of an Incident Response Plan
• Communication with Stakeholders Post-Attack
• Lessons Learned from Actual Cyber Incidents

Robert Cireddu founded EduTech Group, a company dedicated to solving technology challenges in K-12 schools. With a background in race car engineering, Robert’s unexpected journey into EdTech has been driven by a passion for empowering education through technology. Under his leadership, EduTech has grown into a 35+ member team, providing schools IT support and cybersecurity solutions. As co-host of the Learning Through Technology podcast, Robert shares insights on EdTech trends and challenges.

Alex Inman is the founder of Educational Collaborators, a company dedicated to providing cutting-edge EdTech consulting and professional development to schools worldwide. With a background in education, Alex has spent his career helping schools with strategic technology planning, change management, and designing learning spaces. He has also worked with leading EdTech companies like HP and Lenovo, aligning their solutions with educator needs. Alex is passionate about empowering schools and districts to succeed with technology. As co-host of the Learning Through Technology podcast, Alex shares insights on EdTech trends and challenges.

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Cybersecurity Rubric

The Cybersecurity Coalition for Education is a group of leading EdTech organizations committed to making cybersecurity preparedness and training more accessible for schools.

The coalition pioneered a groundbreaking education-focused approach to measuring and improving cybersecurity readiness, the Cybersecurity Rubric (CR) for Education. Along with the rubric, the alliance provides training and certification designed to guide schools to cybersecurity readiness.

Visit: https://www.cybersecurityrubric.org/

A big thank you to our sponsors!

FETC:

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ViewSonic:

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Lenovo:

Imagine a future where students can access tools that spark learning, growth, and creativity. At Lenovo, our K-12 solutions are designed to create a world where ed tech tools are safe and secure, engaging and easy to use, and built for productivity wherever learning occurs. Visit us at www.lenovo.com/us/en/student/!

Other Resources

• Want Alex and his team’s help with your school’s cyber prevention? Check out K12 Cybersecurity Assessment
• Alex Inman on LinkedIn
• Robert Cireddu on LinkedIn
• Educational Collaborators on LinkedIn
• EduTech Group Website
• STS Education Website
• STS Education Group on LinkedIn

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