K12 Tech Talk

In this episode of the K12 Tech Talk Podcast, the team dives into the recent PowerSchool breach. Mark, who was recently featured on Canadian national news (Eh!), shares updates and insights into the breach's technical aspects, along with a breakdown on an article he published on K12TechPro . The discussion also highlights the roles and responsibilities of K12 tech leaders in managing data breaches...

In this episode, we explore humorous/serious use of AI joke writing (PowerSchool jokes), we have a discussion on cell phone bans being implemented across various school districts this new year, touching on one policy that involves fines. The main focus, however, is a captivating story where a teacher was terminated for allegedly sharing her password, leading to students tampering with electronic r...

This special episode of the K12 Tech Talk Podcast dissects the recent cybersecurity incident involving PowerSchool, a major provider of Student Information Systems (SIS) in the United States. Hosts Josh, Chris, and Mark discuss the details of the breach that saw PowerSchool send notifications to its customers about the possibility of sensitive data exposure. We discuss the details of the breach th...

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year from Josh, Chris, and Mark!   This is a re-release of Episode 31. It is an interview with Denzel. Denzel is the Tech Director at a school that was hit with ransomware. He shares details of the attack, from waking up and realizing over his morning coffee that they had major issues, to the day he realized the "bad guys" posted data they harvested o...

On this episode of the K12 Tech Talk podcast, we talk about AI misuse in schools, we recap 2024's hot topics, and we spend time discussing our predictions for 2025. Oh, and we talk about Chimp Crazy and Mark's recent interactions with Tonia Haddix on TikTok. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - We're ready for break! https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-12/guidance-mobile-communications-b...

This week we take a listener email and dive into managing district assets and how to wrangle the budget. Should schools supply headphones to all students? Should the tech dept have a headphones budget? Should parents pay for broken headphones? Josh, Chris, and Mark discuss the tech dept's responsibility with headphones (and other consumables) at length. The guys also talk about software purchases....

Join Josh, Chris, and Mark for a lively discussion on the future of ChromeOS and Android in the K-12 landscape. We kick things off with Josh's latest tech frustrations (proxy problems, anyone?) before diving into some recent headlines, including a fascinating AI case in Massachusetts and a timely warning from the FBI about SMS messaging. But the main event? We tackle the swirling rumors surroundin...

In this episode Chris does a deep dive on the new Google Workspace license structure. Mark has an extended News section with stories about an IXL lawsuit, Goolge's anti-trust fallout, Docusign impersonation attacks, and more.   - Linda McMahon's background as Trump's pick for education secretary - Significant surge in DocuSign impersonation attacks: hackers mimicking government - IXL class-action...

Chris, Josh, and Mark discuss an update on the cybersecurity pilot, an FCC court case, and the future of E-Rate. Most of the episode is an interview with Tony Sager . Tony is a Senior VP & Chief Evangelist for the Center for Internet Security (CIS).  FCC Cybersecurity Pilot Receives $3.7B in Funding Requests Supreme Court Weighs High-Stakes Fraud Issue for E-Rate Program What a Trump win means...

Chris and Mark are traveling this week and try to record an episode next to a rowdy party of librarians at Vita-Learn's Vermont Fest . We give a brief intro and then flashback to episode 132 where we cover the CIS Controls, a set of cyber security frameworks to help districts evaluate and improve their cyber security. -------------------- ManagedMethods Extreme - Email dmayer@extremenetworks.com F...

Chris, Josh, and Mark get political - they discuss their thoughts on the impact of this year's election on the K12 technology landscape (E-Rate, cybersecurity, DoE, and AI). They also discuss new AI guidance, spooky edtech apps, Halloween costumes, and the latest in k12 tech news. Education Department releases highly anticipated AI toolkit for schools  Scary Apps -------------------- ManagedMethod...

Chris, Josh, and Mark talk about the MOREnet conference, an update on the student misuse of AI case, a security report showing a decline in ransomware, and most of the episode is spent discussing how to handle requests from leadership that may cross the line. Bethalto superintendent Jill Griffin's email sparks public outrage The Telegraph obtains Bethalto superintendent's email to staff What’s beh...

Mark is on an autonomous road trip, so Chris and Josh hold down the fort. They discuss the latest hot topics on K12TechPro , including smishing , the NCSR survey, tech dept staffing, a student getting in trouble for AI, Chromebook forced reboots, and more. NTP is going to MOREnet next week and Vita Learn Vermont Fest in November with K12TechPro and us! VIZOR - get a demo, get a free K12 Tech Talk...

This week on K12 Tech Talk, we unpack the latest developments in education technology, including Governor Newsom's veto of California's AI accountability bill and its implications for K12 schools. We also delve into a critical E-Rate case, Wisconsin Bell vs. the United States, currently before the Supreme Court, and discuss its potential impact on school districts nationwide. Ever wrestled with ou...

Josh, Chris, and Mark provide updates on E-Rate, dive into October cybersecurity awareness month, break down new NIST password guidelines , and then Josh tells a story... a long story... the longest story.  CISA Cybersecurity Awareness Month Chimp Crazy -------------------- NTP dwren@ntp-inc.com Extreme dmayer@extremenetworks.com Fortinet fortinetpodcast@fortinet.com VIZOR Blocksi ManagedMethods -...

In this episode, we talk CISA's Cybersecurity and Safety Summit, Verkada's FTC issues, and we spend most of the time talking about Ed-Fi - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Linux Bug Verkada FTC Article Chimp Crazy Ed-Fi -------------------- NTP dwren@ntp-inc.com Extreme dmayer@extremenetworks.com Fortinet fortinetpodcast@fortinet.com VIZOR Blocksi ManagedMethods -------------------- Email us at  k...

In this episode, we talk about California's new AI legislation, CoSN's State of EdTech Leadership , and an interview Frank Murray of Belton ISD and David Waugh with ManagedMethods. OH!!! We now have a phone number you can call and leave us voicemails! Do it! 314-329-0363 California AI Providence Schools Ransomware Philadelphia School Cyber Incident Meat Church BBQ -------------------- NTP dwren@nt...

In this episode, we talk about emails we received from listeners as rebuttals to topics from last week (Ring cameras and bugs in Chromebooks). Mark hosts a SIS Conversion Debrief and asks Chris and Josh 5 soul searching questions about their SIS Conversion experiences. The Cybersecurity Pilot opens next week and we talk about it in the news. OH, AND BIG NEWS!!! We now have a phone number you can c...

Josh, Chris, and Mark discuss several listener emails. Ring Cameras are discussed. Bed bugs in devices makes the news. Oh, and Josh isn't wearing any pants. Bed bugs in Chromebooks at Riverside High School in Durham, North Carolina FCC Cybersecurity Pilot CISA Services Portal CIO in New Haven was fired after a recent breach -------------------- Prey --Device Loan Management --Security Actions Extr...

Chris and Eric talk about AI, collecting devices from students, and discuss "When you are technically right, but you're wrong."   AI Bill in California Will AI Make Standardized Tests Obsolete? -------------------- Prey --Device Loan Management --Security Actions Extreme Networks - Email dmayer@extremenetworks.com Fortinet - Email fortinetpodcast@fortinet.com ClassLink NTP -------------------- Ema...

Josh, Chris, and Mark discuss the opening of school, student password resets, and student screen time (again). Prey Short video:  https://prey.wistia.com/medias/fdwb048xxj Demo: Get a demo from @Nicolas Bascoli . You will get in depth information! Free Trial: Experience by yourself how it works and how easy the deployment process is. You can start here: https://preyproject.com/get-started .  Manag...

Josh, Chris, and Mark discuss Back to School Week and dealing with issues, an ACT study on internet access , screen time, cell phone bans, and we talk to Fortinet about the FCC Cybersecurity Pilot.   NPT Prey Short video:  https://prey.wistia.com/medias/fdwb048xxj Demo: Get a demo from @Nicolas Bascoli . You will get in depth information! Free Trial: Experience by yourself how it works and how eas...

Josh, Chris, and Mark record an episode live from the K12TechPro Virtual Meetup.     Richmond, VA K12TechPro Southeast Region Meetup is September 20th   ManagedMethods Extreme Networks Fortinet Prey -------------------- Email us at  k12techtalk@gmail.com Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our  LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh,...

Josh, Chris, and Mark discuss E-Rate, pay raises, and the Olympics.   Special "Back to School" Virtual K12TechPro Meetup is August 7th Richmond, VA K12TechPro Southeast Region Meetup is September 20th NPT VIZOR ClassLink Extreme Networks Fortinet -------------------- Email us at  k12techtalk@gmail.com Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our  LinkedIn Music by Colt B...

Josh, Chris, and Mark record an episode live from MidwestTechTalk2024 for the opening day keynote. Buckle up, it's a good time.   Special "Back to School" Virtual K12TechPro Meetup is August 7th Richmond, VA K12TechPro Southeast Region Meetup is September 20th MidwestTechTalk2024 -------------------- Email us at  k12techtalk@gmail.com Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod V...