Information Technology

Information, news and features for the education sector IT professionals


Quarter of K–12 Admins Surveyed Reported a Cyber Incident in Past Year

Clever’s new report, “Cybersecure 2023: The State of Data Security and Privacy in K–12 Schools,” shares results from its survey of nearly 4,000 U.S. school administrators and educators, revealing that teachers underestimate cyber risks when compared to administrators and overestimate the potential vulnerabilities posed by students and staff.

Rural Schools Eligible for USDA Telecommunications Grants; Deadline is Jan. 30

Now through Jan. 30, K–12 school districts in rural areas (serving populations of 20,000 or less) are invited to apply for the USDA Distance Learning Grants program.

Wishes and Worries for 2023: What Ed Tech Leaders Are Thinking About

During the final weeks of 2022, THE Journal asked scores of ed tech leaders about their wishes and worries for 2023. Cybersecurity and teacher resources were the most common topics addressed in the responses — many of which include specific ideas for new policies and practices for K–12 education in the United States.

Rave Mobile Safety Acquired by Motorola Solutions

Motorola Solutions has acquired Rave Mobile Safety, a provider of mass notification and incident management that serves about 10,000 schools and universities, local government agencies, and healthcare facilities across the United States.

FCC Reconsidering Adding Firewalls, Cybersecurity Services to E-Rate; Seeks Stakeholder Input

The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau announced Wednesday that it is considering expanding the E-Rate eligible services list to include “advanced or next-generation firewalls and services, as well as other network security services,” and is seeking public comment from stakeholders now through Feb. 13, 2023, with reply comments accepted through March 30, 2023.

Report: 96% of School Apps Send Kids’ Personal Data to Potentially Harmful Third Parties

In a new K–12 ed tech safety benchmark report, “School Mobile Apps Student Data Sharing Behavior,” Internet Safety Labs finds that 96% of all apps used in schools share children’s personal information with third parties without the knowledge or consent of the users or the schools.

ENA by Zayo Launches New Consulting Services, Managed IT Infrastructure Solutions for K-12 Schools

ENA by Zayo, a technology infrastructure provider previously known as as Education Networks of America until Zayo acquired it earlier this year, has launched a new suite of vendor-neutral IT consulting services for K–12 schools dubbed ENA Ally.

Texas CIO Report Calls for New Law Requiring K–12 Schools to Report All Cyber Incidents

The Texas Department of Information Resources, in its newly released Biennial Performance Report, has asked the state legislature to require Texas school districts to report cybersecurity incidents to its office within a minimum reporting timeframe.

Promethean Adds Digital Whiteboard App Explain Everything to its Portfolio

ActivPanel interactive display maker Promethean has acquired the digital whiteboard platform Explain Everything, which allows users to create lessons, activities, and interactive presentations on any mobile device and whose team and assets will be “merged” with Promethean’s, according to a news release.

How One School District Accelerated IT Modernization and Reduced IT Project Time by 75%

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic intensified the pressure to accelerate IT modernization initiatives, there was an overwhelming demand for technical tools and resources in our nation's public schools.

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