Information Technology

Information, news and features for the education sector IT professionals


MHEC Agreement Gives Schools, State Agencies Lower-Cost Access to SAS Viya's AI-Powered Analytics Platform

The Midwestern Higher Education Compact has partnered with AI and data analytics provider SAS to allow state education agencies, K–12 districts, and higher ed institutions across 47 states to access SAS’ Viya unified analytics platform at a significant discount, the organizations announced today at Educause.

Overall Malware Down Slightly in the Quarter, as Double-Extortion Attacks Increase

Overall Malware Down Slightly in the Quarter, as Double-Extortion Attacks Increase

Malware in general declined in the second quarter of 2023, according to a new report, even as double-extortion ransomware grew substantially.

When Does It Make Sense to Move Legacy Technology to the Cloud?

While many districts continue to move to cloud environments due to their collaboration capabilities, scalability, and improved security, sometimes legacy systems can make sense too.

Funds For Learning Unveils Expanded Versions of E-rate Manager Tool for States, Service Providers

E-rate compliance services firm Funds For Learning has expanded its E-rate Manager analytics tool, launching E-rate Manager Advanced and Enterprise versions to help state coordinators and service providers better manage their districts’ E-rate activities, FFL said in a news release.

Bar graph shows education IT survey responses on most common security incidents experienced in past 12 months and percentage of education organizations operating in the cloud, on-premises or hybrid

Compromised On-Premises Accounts Cited in 3 of 4 Attacks in Education Sector

In 75% of cyberattacks targeting education organizations over the last 12 months, IT and security managers cited compromised on-premises accounts as the cause, according to research from cybersecurity vendor Netwrix.

Tech request worksheet: click to download

6 Suggestions IT Teams Should Ask Teachers When Evaluating Unapproved Technology

When IT teams are evaluating technologies for the classroom, the teacher's perspective shouldn’t be discounted. Teachers have a unique — and likely the best-informed — view of which tools will engage students and which will be distracting.

Making Information Security Everyone

Making Information Security Everyone's Responsibility

Intrusions into education networks have never been more rampant. And at this point, information security is the top concern among IT leaders and administration in K–12 districts. What's more, there is the distinct possibility that AI will compound the problem, while also being used to help deal with threats.

graph from 2023 SETDA State of Ed Tech Report compares respondents answers to "what are top unmet needs in your state" from 2022 and 2023

Cybersecurity, AI Policy Top List of State Ed Tech Priorities

New survey results from the State Education Technology Directors Association underscore the importance of collaboration across agencies and school districts as cybersecurity and AI pose the biggest unmet challenges for public education.

image says K12 Education Technology Secure by Design Pledge

CISA Launches Secure by Design Pledge with 6 Ed Tech Vendors

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has launched a voluntary pledge for K–12 education technology software makers to “commit to designing products with greater security built in,” the agency said in a news release.

Creating Ed Tech Stickiness: 10 Tips for Success

"Ed tech whiplash," or the constant addition and removal of tech solutions in schools, is a real issue and has been negatively impacting teachers and students for years. During the 2022–23 school year alone, K–12 school districts accessed, on average, 2,591 different ed tech tools. As a former director of technology in public education, I saw educators struggle to keep up with the always-growing list of ed tech tools being implemented in their schools. And I also saw teachers become heavily invested in solutions that improved efficiency and efficacy in their classrooms, only for the solution to be removed within a short time due to a lack of "ROI." This type of back and forth is not only frustrating for teachers, but it leaves students with a lack of consistency in their learning environment.