Data and Security Summit

Doug Levin, founder and CEO of EdTech Strategies, opened the event by sharing insights from the K–12 Cyber Incident Map, a national effort to track publicly reported cybersecurity incidents affecting schools. His presentation underscored a sobering reality: cybersecurity incidents are no longer isolated events. They are affecting school districts across the country, including many in Illinois.

Throughout the day, participants explored that reality in greater depth through breakout sessions and group discussions led by Ross Lemke, Director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC); Chris Hill, Chief Information Security Officer for the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT); and Chris Wherley, the Learning Technology Center’s Network and Technology Services Coordinator.

While each session approached cybersecurity from a different perspective, several common themes emerged. School districts remain attractive targets for cyberattacks. Effective preparation depends as much on communication and planning as it does on technology. And perhaps most importantly, cybersecurity is not solely an IT responsibility—it requires the engagement of superintendents, business offices, instructional leaders, and staff across the organization.

If you weren’t able to attend, we’ve gathered the presentations and additional resources below.

• FERPA 201, Ross Lemke
• FERPA and Data Security, Managing Risk when Everything is Broken, Ross Lemke
• How to Prepare for the Unexpected, Chris Wherley
• Improving Baseline Controls, Doug Levin
• Keynote, Doug Levin
• Leaders Managing Risk, Doug Levin
• Progression Cybersecurity Strategy, Chris Hill
• Resources and websites shared during the day

Among our favorite tools referenced are: