With teachers and students heading back to school this month, we would like to wish everyone a warm welcome back to the classroom. We understand the past several years have been challenging for many, but they have also shown us the importance of resiliency, collaboration, and creative thinking. We have also seen how technology can further empower success. From improving communication and increasing efficiency, to enhancing student learning or implementing the right technology, these are key components of your classroom — especially as cybersecurity threats increase in education.
Here at AllConnected, we specialize in IT for K-12 classrooms and community colleges. We are passionate about ensuring teachers have the right technology to protect their students’ privacy and improve collaboration. Continue reading to learn more about our top back to school IT considerations as you prepare for the new school year ahead.
Whether your school is fully in-person or using a hybrid approach, make sure you and your students have the right equipment and devices for your needs. Depending on the learning model and grade level, you may need different devices to support your students. Whether that includes smart boards, iPads, laptops, or headphones, we recommend taking the time to map out exactly what you need.
Cybersecurity threats affect every organization in every industry; however, schools, are becoming an increasing target. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) believes that cybersecurity attacks against K-12 schools could increase by 86% in the next academic year. Schools have become an easy target for hackers for several reasons. One major reason is because of the personal and confidential information they store. Other reasons involve weak security infrastructures, limited IT resources, and slow technology adoption.
While no single security measure is 100% guaranteed, there are many different strategies we recommend to help strengthen your security posture and protect your most important information. From enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Managed Detection and Response (MDR) to developing cybersecurity training and improving email security, a multi-layered security approach is the best defense.
In the event your data is compromised, it’s equally important to have a back-up and recovery strategy in place. Not only will this protect your most valuable assets, it will also prevents even greater losses — from funds and support to trust and reputation.
There are many questions to consider when deciding on the right back-up service for your school. Start by reviewing your data, systems, software, and websites to determine what needs protecting. Costs, ease of use, and integration capabilities should also be considered. If you’re curious about other key questions to think about, contact our team of experts. You don’t have to navigate these questions alone.
Utilizing the right cloud service will bring your school, teachers, and students many benefits. Teachers can collaborate more effectively by utilizing cloud services such as Google Drive and Dropbox. These tools make tedious work like filing and reporting more manageable. Teachers can also share learning materials with colleagues or students and their families, allowing them to provide better access. Schools can also benefit by reducing costs in physical materials and automating tasks with technology.
Is there an element of the IT strategy discussed here that you want to learn more about to ensure a great school year? We can provide a variety supplemental solutions to complement your existing IT infrastructure and team including co-managed IT services through our supportConnect brand, cloud back-up and data recovery services through our recoverConnect brand, and advanced security services through our secureConnect brand. We have the trusted experts, efficient processes, and the right technology in place to support your school system. Contact us today to learn more!