Information Technology

Information, news and features for the education sector IT professionals


Burke County Schools Adds Support for Wi-Fi 6 Devices

Earlier this year, a school district in North Carolina refreshed its wireless network, to support devices with Wi-Fi 6 capacity — before they began appearing in classrooms. Burke County Public Schools distributed 1,500 new access points to its 27 schools, using equipment from Cambium Networks (previously Xirrus).

Surge in Demand Drives Traditional PCs Up Worldwide While Shortages Lead to Decline in the U.S.

Traditional PCs are continuing to see growth worldwide despite bottlenecks in the supply chain. However, according to a new report from market research firm IDC, in the United States, traditional PCs saw their first quarterly decline since the beginning of the pandemic.

Harris County Building Private LTE Network to Reach Rural Families

The Texas county that houses Houston will be rolling out a private LTE network using Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum. The major beneficiary for the initial phase will be families with students that lack high-speed internet access. The project is being funded with CARES Act money.

WatchGuard Adds New Unified Threat Management Appliances

Data security firm WatchGuard Technologies has launched four new mid-range models in its Firebox line of unified threat management appliances.

Ransomware on Target for 150% Increase This Year

More bad news on the data security front. Ransomware and fileless malware are both seeing large surges this year.

Education Networks Largely Spared in DDoS Escalation

Dedicated denial of service (DDoS) attacks were up by double digits in the first half of 2021. But somehow schools, colleges and universities, despite being favorite targets for ransomware and various other forms of malware, have been by and large overlooked — even as DDoS becomes a companion tool in ransomware incidents.

Student Device Monitoring a Threat to LGBTQI+ Students, Student Expression —Report

Student device monitoring disproportionately affects kids who cannot afford their own devices and, according to a new report, poses threats to student privacy (such as LGBTQI+ students who might be "outed") and creates a significant chilling effect on student expression.

Kahoot! Completes Acquisition of Clever

Kahoot! has formally completed its acquisition of Clever.

K–12 Cybersecurity Standards Released, Along with Free District Self-Assessment Tool

The nonprofit K12 Security Information Exchange (K12 SIX) has released its highly anticipated cybersecurity standards of practice for K–12 schools and districts, a companion to the K12 SIX Essential Cybersecurity Protections released in August. The group also released a free self-assessment tool for information technology and information security leaders.

Cleveland Metropolitan Rolling Out Broadband to 5,300 Families

Cleveland Metropolitan School District in Ohio is helping to connect families to the internet for remote learning. Initially, the district is expected to push free broadband to about 5,300 families.

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