The EdTechStuff Podcast for Network Managers in Education
About #EdTechStuff
Welcome to the home of the #EdTechStuff Podcast, the essential new series for network managers and IT technicians in the education sector. Dive into engaging discussions, expert insights, and practical advice tailored to the unique challenges of supporting IT in educational environments. Each episode focuses on the most pressing topics, from infrastructure to innovation, ensuring you stay at the forefront of technology in education. Join us as we explore the digital landscape of learning, one episode at a time.
We are busy recording episodes, ready for launch day but to give you some insight as to what is coming, please read below.
Episode 1
In the inaugural episode of the "Ed Tech Stuff" podcast, Martin Byford-Rew introduced the show, which is tailored for network managers and IT technicians working in educational settings worldwide. The podcast aims to provide actionable insights to help these professionals tackle common challenges in their roles. Martin emphasized that regardless of the geographical location, IT professionals in education face similar issues, making this podcast a valuable resource for a global audience.
The episode featured Ian Stockbridge from Secure Schools as the first guest. Ian shared his extensive background in IT, particularly his focus on cybersecurity within the education sector. He highlighted his journey from working as an IT manager at Concord College to his current role at Secure Schools, where he aims to improve cybersecurity in educational institutions. Ian's experience and insights set the stage for a deep dive into the critical topic of cybersecurity in schools.
A significant portion of the discussion centered around the importance of cybersecurity and the need for continuous effort and support from senior leadership. Ian and Martin agreed that cybersecurity should be prioritized alongside safeguarding, given the increasing threats and vulnerabilities in the digital landscape. They stressed the importance of building support from senior leadership and colleagues to drive cybersecurity initiatives effectively. Clear and regular communication about the importance of cybersecurity can help create a culture of security awareness within schools.
The conversation also touched on practical steps that network managers can take to enhance their cybersecurity posture. Maintaining an accurate asset register was highlighted as a fundamental practice, as it helps in managing and securing IT infrastructure. Patching and updating software and devices promptly were emphasized as crucial measures to mitigate known vulnerabilities. Ian recommended prioritizing the patching of public-facing services, end-user devices, and then internal servers. Automating patch management was suggested as a way to save time and ensure timely updates.
Lastly, the implementation of multi-factor authentication (MFA) was discussed as an essential step in protecting remote access points like VPNs and RDS servers. Schools were advised to turn off services that cannot be protected by MFA until it can be implemented. The episode concluded with a recap of the key points and a call to action for network managers to prioritize cybersecurity and seek support from their leadership teams. Martin encouraged listeners to provide feedback on the podcast and share their thoughts to shape future episodes, and he thanked Ian for his valuable contributions to the first episode.
For more insight about cybersecurity for education, please also consider visiting the In Our Humble Opinion podcast https://ioho.co.uk/ by Gary Henderson and Ian Stockbridge.
Episode 2
In the second episode we meet Darren Hemming from Cloud Design Box who shares his insights on the automation of tasks and how this can improve quality and release time to enable you to focus on other priorities. Darren also discusses the ways in which a school or MAT intranet can enhance communication across the organisation.
Contact the show