Education Modernizing SysAdmins
Transforming Learning with Digital Technology
The education technology landscape is undergoing a significant transformation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the adoption of 1:1 devices and cloud-based technology. Despite additional funding, many schools still need more training to navigate today's rapidly evolving educational technology. Technology has become deeply embedded in the education learning experience, with personal devices and cloud-based applications now commonplace. This increased reliance on wireless networks and cloud computing presents new challenges for system administrators, particularly cybersecurity, cloud modernization, and advanced networking.
Cybersecurity threats are increasingly prevalent in education as teachers and students regularly use online applications. The shift toward cloud migration means more teachers and students rely on cloud-based applications, requiring robust and resilient networks. As educational technology evolves, system administrators must acquire new skills to effectively manage educational platforms and learning management systems. Chauster UpSkilling equips IT professionals with the skills needed to address these new challenges in education technology.
Emerging Cybersecurity Threats in Focus
Cybersecurity remains a top priority for system administrators. Schools have significantly increased their reliance on technology-based tools, making their networks more vulnerable to cyber attacks.
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Recent reports indicate that a majority of ransomware incidents have targeted schools, showing a dramatic increase compared to previous periods. This highlights the growing cybersecurity risks in the education sector.
School Closures Heighten Cyber Attack Risks
School closures during the pandemic forced many districts to implement technology without adequate cybersecurity protection. A recent survey indicated that only a little over half of IT leaders in schools felt confident in their ability to handle cyber threats. During the latter part of the school year, incidents such as data breaches, ransomware attacks, denial of service, and virtual meeting intrusions increased by 60 percent.
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Several factors contributed to the rise in data breaches. During closures, many users were granted elevated access to their devices, and both students and teachers often used learning platforms without sufficient training. Additionally, when devices used on untrusted networks were reintroduced to school networks after in-person learning resumed, many were not updated or scanned for malware.
At-Risk Users
Education technology users consistently lack cybersecurity training, making staff and students vulnerable to cyber attacks. The collaborative and trusting nature of educational environments further exacerbates this vulnerability.
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A common challenge is that many teachers and students frequently exchange unsecured files, often containing personally identifiable information, due to minimal cybersecurity training. System administrators must work with district leaders to foster a culture of data protection, which requires implementing policies, procedures, and consistent training to ensure a secure environment.
Enhancing Cybersecurity Through Training
Education technology users consistently lack cybersecurity training, making staff and students vulnera. Building a cybersecurity program is a significant undertaking. It needs to be built from the ground up. Many districts need the resources or employees with the expertise to effectively manage cybersecurity and develop ongoing training for students and staff. This is where Chauster UpSkilling can help.
CompTIA Security+. The need for cybersecurity training has never been greater. This Chauster course helps prepare education system administrators to:
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• Detect security threats
• Install, configure, and deploy network components
• Assess and solve organizational security issues
• Understand how network design affects security.
CompTIA Security+ enhances the ability of IT professionals to detect, prevent, and resolve cybersecurity threats.
New Responsibilities Arise with Evolving Technology
Education is overdue for its digital transformation. With the surge in online courses, digital lesson plans, and remote learning, cloud-based platforms have quickly become essential, prompting many districts to modernize their digital ecosystems.
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System administrators are tasked with implementing student-facing, cloud-based applications while phasing out legacy technology. Adapting to the rapidly evolving technology landscape and supporting teachers and students in the process can be challenging, but it also presents many transformative opportunities.
Embracing Cloud Modernization
Due to the expansion of educational technologies and the shift toward cloud modernization, system administrators must be ready to adapt to changes and learn new skills. In the current EdTech landscape, instructional technology systems now inform administrative systems.
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Cybersecurity has to be part of the culture. One person alone cannot address all cybersecurity needs. Education system administrators require a holistic view and understanding of educational technologies. According to recent reports, most IT leaders now have responsibilities involving academic and administrative technologies, reflecting the growing integration of these systems. As such, system administrators need a much broader understanding of cloud-based educational platforms.
Teachers Require Enhanced Technology Support
A recent study found that only 13 percent of teachers felt confident using educational technology. With the increase in virtual schooling, hybrid models, and technology-integrated curricula, school districts need trained IT professionals to help users safely and effectively implement technology integration. Another survey indicated that 63 percent of respondents reported insufficient teacher support, including training.
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While budgets have increased to support curriculum software subscriptions and cybersecurity, staffing to support teachers in utilizing new technology has fallen short in recent years. The teacher shortage and disruption from the pandemic have made implementing district technology initiatives challenging. Asking teachers to use technology without providing the necessary professional oversight or training opens the door to unintentional risks and misuse, creating an added burden for system administrators.
Cybersecurity needs to be ingrained in the culture. It requires collective effort, as one person alone cannot address all our cybersecurity needs.
IT Training for Cloud Integration From Chauster
Cloud technology is transforming school operations. System administrators need to streamline processes while ensuring secure user access. Training in Active Directory and Azure Active Directory can help IT professionals effectively navigate cloud modernization.
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Microsoft Active Directory training is designed for both new and experienced system administrators. It equips them with the skills to effectively administer Active Directory technologies and protect data access and information.
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Azure Active Directory training prepares system administrators to manage user access to applications and data using Azure Active Directory. This training ensures that IT professionals can keep data and applications secure while providing users the necessary access.
Meeting the Challenges of Wireless Network Demands
Surge in Device Usage
The number of devices that educational networks support is steadily increasing. A recent survey found that most secondary and elementary educators reported having at least one device per student. School districts now need low-latency networks to meet the demands of rapidly evolving educational technologies.
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The increased technology utilization and the influx of devices require robust wireless networks. Currently, 61 percent of school districts have met the bandwidth goal of 1 Mbps per student. While this growth shows promise, these goals were set several years ago and do not account for the vast broadband needs of today and beyond.
Technology evolves rapidly and has become integral to student learning and daily operations. The number of devices that a typical educational network supports is steadily increasing.
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Technology evolves rapidly and has become integral to student learning and daily operations. The number of devices that a typical educational network supports is steadily increasing.
Broadening Broadband Access
Digital equity has become a new priority for many school districts. Students with adequate access to devices and the internet at home can learn effectively and are more likely to perform better than their peers with access. A recent study found that remote learning activities requiring high bandwidth are prevalent. Based on these findings, adequate home broadband was redefined to 25 Mbps download speed per student rather than per household, with additional bandwidth for other household members using the internet simultaneously.
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Districts have utilized programs like The Emergency Broadband Benefit to provide connectivity for students in need. However, as an executive director of information technology for a large school district pointed out, more than simply providing devices is insufficient. He explained that it involved re-architecting how support is offered to students and staff quickly, with little opportunity to test the process.
Advanced Network Training
Chauster UpSkilling offers training that ensures system administrators are ready to tackle the challenges of a steadily expanding digital environment. The following courses offer the training required to manage day-to-day operations, solve network-related issues, and transform process efficiency and dependability:
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CompTIA A+. This certification is considered the industry standard for anyone looking to establish an IT career. The training covers the Core 220-1001 exam objectives and equips system administrators with the foundational knowledge required to manage student and teacher devices effectively.
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CompTIA Network+. With CompTIA Network+ system administrators learn to successfully configure wireless technologies and navigate fundamental cloud concepts. IT professionals who complete this training will be able to manage and master advanced networking devices, authenticate traffic, and secure networks effectively.
IT professionals in the education sector require extensive knowledge to support the growing demands of educational technology. CompTIA and Microsoft training from Chauster UpSkilling equip system administrators with valuable knowledge and skills. Chauster UpSkilling courses offer a variety of helpful features, including virtual labs that simulate real-world situations and accountability coaching to guide learners through the course.
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From adopting learning management systems to utilizing cloud technologies, nearly every school district now has access to devices, creating new challenges for IT departments. As schools continue to integrate technology within the classroom, curriculum, and daily operations, cybersecurity remains a top concern and challenge for system administrators. The shift towards cloud computing and increased dependence on wireless networks will introduce new technology challenges that school districts must prepare to meet. This requires ongoing training and adaptation to ensure secure, efficient, and effective use of educational technology.
The Evolving Digital Landscape
