This week, I had the privilege of attending the Consortium for School Networking’s 2023 annual conference in Austin, TX. It was wonderful having a chance to catch up with old friends as well as meet new ones! As the preeminent organization for school district technology leaders, CoSN also packed its conference schedule with insightful and impactful sessions and workshops on topics affecting technology leaders on a daily basis. Perhaps not surprisingly, one of the most popular topics of the conference was cybersecurity.
Each day of the conference had at least two or three sessions on cybersecurity, with topics ranging from network security to information and data privacy to staff training and the human element in securing schools’ digital assets. Every cybersecurity session was packed, with many having standing room only (and even some standing outside in the hallway listening in!) It is clear that the need is great, and school district technology leaders are fighting to make sure that not only their networks, but their staff, students, and communities are safe from cyber attacks.
March 30, 2023 is the reply comment deadline for the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Notice seeking input on the E-rate program’s role in providing funding for critical next-generation firewall and cybersecurity services. Cyber attacks are a significant threat to every community in the country, and it is critical that the FCC do its part to help make sure schools and libraries are protected. Please consider adding your voice to the hundreds who have already shown support for this vital initiative! The process is simple – CoSN provides simple instructions for submitting comments and even a reply comment template on their website at https://www.cosn.org/advocacy-policy/. E-rate regulatory change is possible with unified support from schools and libraries!
