The CoSN Podcast

In this episode, we break down CoSN’s webinar, Navigating Updates on COPPA and Beyond: What K–12 Technology Leaders Need to Know. The discussion unpacks how the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) latest changes to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) affect districts, vendors, and the broader edtech ecosystem.You’ll hear how these updates reshape definitions of personal information, raise the bar for vendor security practices, and clarify the role districts play in managing parental consent for educational tools.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeCOPPA basics: Why compliance applies to companies, not schools—but why districts still play a critical role.New definitions of personal information: Expansion to include biometrics, government-issued IDs, and mobile phone numbers.Updated parental consent rules: Including text-based verification and clearer processes for education vs. commercial data use.Stronger security standards: Written security plans, annual risk assessments, and third-party compliance requirements.Data retention requirements: Companies must publish and follow clear deletion policies once data is no longer needed.District responsibilities: Why consent should come from the district level—not individual teachers—and how this impacts edtech adoption.What’s next: Compliance timelines, what the FTC left out of the rule updates, and how districts can proactively prepare.Webinar Recording Free for CoSN MembersCoSN Student Data Privacy Toolkit – resources to help districts strengthen privacy practices.CoSN YouTube Channel COPPA Rule Updates – FTC – review the Federal Trade Commission’s official rule changes.Produced in partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.

In this episode, we take a practical deep dive into the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Practices Self-Evaluation—the first big step districts can take on the journey to earning the CoSN TLE Seal.You’ll learn how the Self-Evaluation helps schools measure their privacy practices across five key areas: Leadership, Business, Data Security, Professional Development, and Classroom. More importantly, you’ll hear how districts can use the results to highlight strengths, identify gaps, and chart a clear path forward.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow the scoring works: From “not yet considered” to “mature policy in place,” and what each rating means.The five practice areas in detail:Leadership – policies, accountability, and culture.Business – vendor vetting and privacy in contracts.Data Security – technical safeguards, audits, and recovery plans.Professional Development – training staff and raising parent awareness.Classroom – how teachers model safe practices and digital citizenship.The real value: Why the Self-Evaluation is less about pass/fail and more about building a roadmap.What happens next: How to turn results into an improvement plan and begin working toward the Full Seal or a Mini Seal.Good news: The Self-Evaluation is free and immediately available to all districts.Resources & Links⁠CoSN Trusted Learning Environment page⁠ – download the Self-Evaluation and learn more about the Seal program.Episode 1: What is the Trusted Learning Environment Seal? Listen to the first part of this series if you missed it.Produced in partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.

In this episode, we kick off a two-part series on student data privacy with a deep dive into the CoSN Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal.The TLE Seal is more than just a badge—it’s a commitment that a school system is protecting student data across five critical practice areas: Leadership, Business, Data Security, Professional Development, and Classroom.You will learn:Why the Seal matters for building trust with families and communities.How it goes beyond compliance to create a culture of transparency and accountability.What “mature practices” look like in real schools.Why the Mini Seal can be a flexible entry point for districts starting their privacy journey.With Seal recipients already improving protections for over 1.3 million students, the program is setting the standard for how schools earn the confidence of parents, educators, and students.Key Takeaways:The TLE Seal is both a safeguard and a symbol of trust.It’s a district-wide effort, not just an IT checklist.Schools commit to continuous improvement—not just a one-time certification.The Mini Seal option allows districts to start small and build momentum.Want to learn more? Visit CoSN.org to explore the TLE Seal program, success stories, and resources to begin your district’s journey.Resources:Trusted Learning Environment Seal Application TLE Seal YouTubeTLE Highlights From CoSN2025Additional Key Resources:Benchmark Privacy Practices In Your StateTLE Seal Examples of EvidenceTLE Seal Program HandbookBe sure to tune into Episode 2, where we’ll unpack the TLE Practices Self-Evaluation—the first step in earning the Seal.Produced in partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.

In this episode, we explore highlights from CoSN’s recent webinar, Remember the Human: Deploying AI in Your District. Four education leaders: Mike Lawrence (ABC Unified), Jerry Almendarez (Santa Ana Unified/Creative Futures), Christopher Hoang (LACOE), and Chad Laines (ABC Unified), share how they’re implementing AI in real K–12 contexts. From district-wide pilots to county-level training, each speaker emphasizes one guiding principle: AI must enhance, not replace, human intelligence.We cover how districts can start with small, safe experiments, publish guidelines over rigid policies, and focus on transparency with families and students.The conversation also touches on budget strategies, governance models, academic integrity, and real-world classroom use cases.Whether you’re just beginning with AI or refining your district’s approach, this episode provides practical, battle-tested insights for leaders, teachers, and technologists.Key Takeaways:Lead with HI + AI: keep human intelligence at the center.Start small with safe pilots—volunteers, not mandates.Use guidelines (not rigid policy) to stay agile.Put IT leaders at the cabinet table for smarter adoption.Engage students and families through roundtables and communication toolkits.Reframe academic integrity around culture and trust.Leverage existing platforms before buying new tools.Listen in for practical tips, real-world examples, and insights you can bring back to your school or district.Watch the full webinar here: ⁠⁠⁠CoSN YouTube⁠⁠⁠For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced in partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.

Generative AI. Digital equity. Staffing shortages. These aren’t abstract trends; they’re the real forces shaping schools in 2025. In this episode, Driving K–12 Innovation 2025: Ethics, Workforce, and What’s Next: Insights from a CoSN Webinar, we break down CoSN’s 2025 findings and what they mean for educators today. Based on the Driving K–12 Innovation 2025 Summit webinar, this conversation distills the big themes into practical insights.We explore why ethical innovation requires more than adopting the newest tool, how schools can build capacity to retire outdated tech, and why preparing students for the future of work means redefining success beyond test scores.Key Takeaways:Innovation isn’t good or bad until it’s anchored to purposeEthical capacity must be built among teachers and studentsSchools need to know when to retire tools that no longer serve learningAdaptability, creativity, and new pathways are critical to the future workforceResources:Driving K–12 Innovation 2025 ReportBridges Supplement: Ethical InnovationBridges Supplement: The Future of WorkDriving K–12 Innovation 2025 Summit (companion webinar recording)Listen in for practical tips, real-world examples, and insights you can bring back to your school or district.Watch the full webinar here: ⁠⁠CoSN YouTube⁠⁠For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced in partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠. This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.

Cellphones are everywhere in schools — in backpacks, pockets, and sometimes under desks. But should they be banned, restricted, or embraced as learning tools? In this episode, inspired by CoSN’s To Ban or Not to Ban? Tackling Cellphones in Classrooms webinar, Common Sense Media’s Merve Lapus reframes the debate.We explore why banning phones alone doesn’t teach digital discipline, how schools can combine policy with digital citizenship education, and the role of community alignment in making rules stick. Hear real-world examples like phone-free zones, lockable pouches, and student-led policy design — all aimed at building intentional, balanced tech use.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why rules alone don’t create lasting digital habitsStrategies for pairing cellphone policies with digital well-being lessonsHow to engage students, staff, and parents in shaping expectationsPractical activities to help students self-regulate device useWhether you’re a teacher, principal, or district leader, this episode offers actionable ways to move beyond bans and prepare students to thrive in a tech-driven world.Listen in for practical tips, real-world examples, and insights you can bring back to your school or district.Watch the full webinar here: ⁠CoSN YouTube⁠For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠Produced in partnership with ⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠. This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.

In this episode of the CoSN Podcast, we recap highlights from CoSN’s webinar Safeguarding Student Privacy: Ethical Use of AI in K–12 Education. Why student privacy is about trust, not just compliance.How districts are building strong data governance frameworks.Key federal privacy laws—FERPA, COPPA, and PPRA—and why they’re struggling to keep pace with technology.What to ask edtech vendors before adopting new tools.Emerging privacy challenges with AI, from algorithmic bias to data provenance.Listen in for practical tips, real-world examples, and insights you can bring back to your school or district.Watch the full webinar here: CoSN YouTubeFor a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠Produced in partnership with ⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠.

Student privacy is a growing concern across K12 education. Although many digital tools and edtech providers have invested in student data privacy, many stakeholders are calling for more training, awareness, and cybersecurity in the classroom. How can we guarantee that students get the best possible experience leveraging edtech tools and that their data is secure and privacy safeguarded? In this episode of the CoSN Podcast, we discuss student data privacy, increasing awareness, vetting procedures, and more. There is no doubt that schools have a responsibility to protect student data and maximize student data privacy. In order to do this, schools must implement proactive strategies and training to support staff and increase student safety. Today’s guest is Kerry GallagherKerry Gallagher, JD, is an innovative teacher, school administrator, lawyer, TEDx speaker, keynote speaker, education consultant, downhill skier, hiker, mom, and wife. She has over 20 years of experience as a professional educator. Kerry currently serves as Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning and classroom teacher at St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, Massachusetts, and Director of Education at ConnectSafely, an internet safety non-profit in Palo Alto, California. Kerry is co-author of several ConnectSafely award-winning guidebooks for parents and teachers on topics that include social media, data privacy, education technology, copyright, and more. Accolades for her work include awards from the Family Online Safety Institute, St. Anselm College, MassCUE, SmartBrief, and Tech&Learning. She’s been recognized as a FutureReady Schools Instructional Coach, ASCD Emerging Leader, Adobe Education Leader, PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovator, and EdSurge Columnist. Her passions include digital wellness, innovative professional learning, and effective integration of curriculum, pedagogy, and technology. She is on social media @KerryHawk02.This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by CleverEngage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN,  @edCircuit, @CleverThe CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit⁠ ⁠⁠www.cosn.org⁠, and to learn more about at⁠ ⁠edCircuit, visit ⁠www.edcircuit.com⁠.

We must invest in effective cybersecurity to mitigate these risks and increase the health of our K12 schools. In the third part of this three-part series on K-12 Education and Cybersecurity, our guests share backgrounds, standards, and strategies for cybersecurity success. Overall this conversation highlights the multitude of factors that add up to increase the health and security of K12 data systems and cybersecurity. There is no doubt that the work of our guests and IT professionals across the education sector is essential. Today’s guests are Mayank Agarwal and Scott Gilhousen.  Mayank Agarwal is the Head of the Cybersecurity business in North America for Infosys. He is responsible for customer engagements, sales, analyst engagement, GTM strategies with tech partners and start-ups in North America. In addition, Maynak is proficient in managing strategic relationships with CIOs, CISO’s, Head of Cloud and Infrastructure, etc. Mayank is an accomplished and astute professional with the perfect mix of sales acumen and technology expertise.Scott Gilhousen is the Chief Information Technology Officer for the Houston Independent School District (HISD), where he leads all aspects of information technology, data and analytics, and information security. With over two decades of experience in strategic and operational leadership roles, Scott brings a wealth of expertise to his current position as CITO.This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Infosys. Engage further in the discussion on Twitter.Follow: @CoSN,  @edCircuit, @InfosysThe CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit⁠ ⁠⁠www.cosn.org⁠, and to learn more about at⁠ ⁠edCircuit, visit ⁠www.edcircuit.com⁠.

How do you balance technological accessibility and cybersecurity? This is a question many school districts have asked over the past several years. Particularly during remote learning, many districts challenged their preconceived notions on accessibility and cybersecurity, leading to many robust changes in districts nationwide.  In this conversation, special guests Doug Thompson and Henry Martin discuss how schools can best implement transformative IT and ensure that sensitive data protection maintains its secure status through collaborative planning and execution.    Doug Thompson is the Chief Education Architect at Tanium. He is a passionate storyteller, TEDx speaker, Go Tanium Tech Stories Podcast host and digital transformation warrior.  After a 20-year stint at Microsoft, he came to Tanium, where he acts as a Tanium Technical Solutions Engineer and  Education Strategist.  He has been involved in the Education arena for over a decade, working with some of the US's largest K-12 and Higher Education institutions.  Henry Martin is the Chief Information Officer at Walton County School District in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, and is a member of the Florida Technology Council. Henry has streamlined and established career pathways and professional development for IT personnel across the district. A key takeaway from this conversation is the power of collaboration in creating innovative systems and the importance of patching and communication for managing automated systems.  This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Tanium. Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN,  @edCircuit, @Tanium The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org, and to learn more about at edCircuit, visit www.edcircuit.com.

As school digital ecosystems expand and rapidly become more at threat, there needs to be a transparent understanding of building and adapting functionally digitized systems. In the second part of this three-part K-12 Education and Cybersecurity series, our guests discuss the expansion of more developed operational and learning management systems in schools and strategies for successful implementation and change management. As both of this episode's guests can attest, school districts' use of digitization has expanded dramatically over the past decade, and there are a host of challenges technology and education practitioners need to be aware of. Today’s guests are Shahryar Khazei and Vishal Salvi. Shahryar Khazei is a seasoned IT executive with over 36 years of experience in the private and public education industry. He was the Chief Information Officer of the nation’s second-largest school district, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). After retiring from LAUSD, Khazei founded Macaw Consulting, which provides strategic and management consulting services to school districts, non-profit organizations, and for-profit companies in the education sector across the United States.  In 2021, he joined the Board of Directors at the Consortium of School Networking (CoSN) Vishal Salvi is Senior Vice President, Chief Information Security Officer, and Head of the Cyber Security Practice at Infosys. He is responsible for the overall information and cyber security strategy and its implementation across Infosys Group. Vishal has over 25+ years of industry experience in Cybersecurity and Information Technology across different Industries. He is part of various Advisory Councils and Boards to provide leadership and direction on cybersecurity frameworks and standards to drive the adoption of cybersecurity across the industry. He has participated in various case studies related to cybersecurity practices over the past decade. Follow Vishal on Twitter at @VishalSalvi This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Infosys. Learn more at https://www.infosys.com/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN,  @edCircuit, @Infosys The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org, and to learn more about at edCircuit, visit www.edcircuit.com.

In an ever-growing connected world, cybersecurity is a growing issue that often gets overlooked. From financial risks to personal information risks, cybersecurity risks have changed the landscape of K12 and higher education. Despite the growing risks, we have yet to see a hyper-awareness of school and community leaders of the landscape of cybersecurity impact. In the first part of this three-part K-12 Education and Cybersecurity series, our guests discuss why cybersecurity is so important, current risks, often overlooked struggles, the significance of collaboration, and more. This conversation aims to address the issues at hand and improve awareness of cybersecurity strategies. Today’s guests are Mitrankur Majumdar and Lenny J. Schad. Mitrankur Majumdar is a passionate, innovative, and strategic business leader with 23 years of experience specializing in executing business transformation through technology and process intervention. At Infosys, Mit is responsible for positioning the company as a global systems integrator across Information Services, Publishing, professional services, education, travel, hospitality, and EPC companies. Apart from helping his customers with their IT or BPO landscape. Lenny Schad, Chief Information & Innovation Officer for District Administration, has worked in K-12 since 2003, successfully leading the implementations of BYOD and 1:1 in Katy ISD and Houston ISD, respectively, as the CIO.  Lenny has served as a board member for CoSN and is a published author.  His book “Bring Your Own Learning: Transform Instruction with any Device” has helped many organizations implement digital transformation initiatives. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Infosys. Learn more at https://www.infosys.com/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN, @edCircuit, @Infosys, @mitrankurm, @Lschad The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org. Learn more about edCircuit, visit www.edcircuit.com

Over the past two years, we have seen technology use in the classroom skyrocket. From assessment tools to curriculum support, these technologies are essential to classrooms in districts across the country. Hand in hand with the bloom in learning technologies, inclusive technologies have become a major topic of discussion in the education world. In part two of this two-part series sponsored by the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) at CAST, our guests discuss how to implement a technology program that meets the needs of all learners. Step by step- setting standards, creating guides for teachers, sourcing and vetting vendors, and communicating support, this episode explores how district leaders can implement a comprehensive program to support all students with stories and examples from district leaders themselves. Today’s guests are two leaders from the Jenks Public Schools in Jenks, Oklahoma – District Assistive Technology Coordinator Janna Greathouse and Edtech Coordinator Samantha Reid. Janna graduated from the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma with a Master’s degree in Speech Pathology. She has practiced as a speech-language pathologist in public school systems in the Carolinas and in Oklahoma, where she currently works. . Her latest pursuits involve efforts to increase accessibility, equity, and inclusion district-wide so that students are empowered to be experts in their own learning and are supported in doing so. Samantha obtained her M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis on Technology Integration in Education from UNLV in 2006, after which she began working in EdTech. Prior to moving into EdTech, she taught in Elementary School. Samantha is an ISTE Certified Education as well as receiving several other certifications and Micro-credentials through the years. She has done training all over the region and has presented at several EdCamps, Google Summits, and conferences, including ISTE, TCEA, FETC, and CoSN. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) at CAST. Learn more at https://cites.cast.org/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN, @MindRocketMedia, @cafox, @MaggieP, @CAST_UDL, @JoSenja, @GreathouseJanna The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with MindRocket Media Group and published on edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org. Learn more about MindRocket Media Group at www.mindrocketmediagroup.com. Read the transcript of this interview here: https://edcircuit.com/creating-a-framework-for-inclusive-technology-part-2-s3e6/

Over the past two years, we have seen technology use in the classroom skyrocket. From assessment tools to curriculum support, these technologies are essential to classrooms in districts across the country. Hand in hand with the bloom in learning technologies, inclusive technologies have become a major topic of discussion in the education world. What is inclusive technology in education? The aim of inclusive technology is to create environments using technological resources to ensure that all students can thrive academically. In part one of this two-part series presented by the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) at CAST, our guests discuss inclusive technology practices, collaboration, investment in educational accessibility, and implementing the CITES framework. Today’s guests are Christine Fox and Maggie Picket. Christine Fox, MS, is the Project Director of CAST’s CITES project and a Senior Technical Assistance Specialist. Prior to joining CAST, Christine was the Senior Director of External Relations for the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), where she was responsible for corporate partnerships and professional advancement programs and supported federal advocacy efforts regarding digital equity and cybersecurity. She is also a former curriculum coach, ESL Coordinator, and classroom teacher. Maggie Picket is a Senior Technical Assistance Specialist for CITES, Maggie explores systemic integration of Assistive Technology, Information Technology, and Educational Technology systems in partnership with districts. For over a decade, Maggie has worked with teachers, students, administrators, para-professionals, families, and community partners to build a common understanding of how creating engaging and accessible learning for ALL is possible. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) at CAST. Learn more at https://cites.cast.org/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN, @MindRocketMedia, @cafox, @MaggieP, @CAST_UDL The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with MindRocket Media Group and published on edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org. Learn more about MindRocket Media Group at www.mindrocketmediagroup.com. Read the transcript of this interview here: https://edcircuit.com/creating-a-framework-for-inclusive-technology-s3e5/

A common phrase in the cybersecurity world is “cybersecurity is not a priority until it has to be.” Security measures are essential to schools, and as we will discuss in this episode, good procedures ensure safety success.  In this episode presented by Telos, Our guests today discuss bad actors, sensitive data, low-hanging data, federal funding, and why cyber security is an essential core function of every school district. Today’s guests are Pete Cevenini and Vincent Scheivert. Pete is the former Montgomery County Public School (MD) Chief Information Officer & Former Maryland State Department of Education CIO. Pete was named to the “Leading Data and Technology Executives U.S. Public Education List” by Chief Data Officer Magazine. He is a career educator, having served many other roles, including high school principal, curriculum director, and graduate professor. Vince is the Vice President of Solutions and former Director of Technical Strategy at Telos Corporation, helping businesses, governments, and school systems improve their cybersecurity protections and operations. Prior to joining Telos, Vince was the Assistant Superintendent for Digital Innovation at Loudoun County Public Schools and the Chief Information Officer at Albemarle County Public Schools, where CoSN recognized him as the Chief Technology Officer of the year. He has also held IT leadership positions at the Downington Area School District, the West Chester Area School District, and Fairfax County Public Schools. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Telos. Learn more at https://www.telos.com/solutions/k12-and-higher-education/. Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN @MindRocketMedia @telosnews. The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with MindRocket Media Group and published on edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org. Learn more about MindRocket Media Group at www.mindrocketmediagroup.com.

What is a hacker, and what threats do they present to K12 school districts? As we begin the school year, we want to ensure that K12 districts are adequately prepared to address these risks and secure data. In this episode presented by Telos, we discuss the philosophies behind anti-hacking data security and strategies educators can take to protect district networks, data, information, and security systems from hackers.Today’s guests are John Frangos and James Levija. John is the Director of Cyber Threat Analytics at Telos Corporation. He is a former Army Chinese Mandarin linguist and technical targeter with 10 years of experience in the Intelligence Community, specializing in data analysis and observation, analysis, and exploitation of network communications. James is the Director of Digital Threat Identification at Telos Corporation. He was active-duty Army intelligence for 8-years and now serves in the Army Reserve. He has 11 years of experience in the Intelligence Community working on targeting and exploitation. James' primary focus is fusing open-source intelligence and dark web research as part of the Telos Advanced Cyber Analytics solution.This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Telos. Learn more at https://www.telos.com/solutions/k12-and-higher-education/.Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN @MindRocketMedia @telosnewsThe CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cosn.org⁠⁠, and to learn more about at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠edCircuit, visit ⁠⁠www.edcircuit.com⁠⁠.

As schools return for the 2022-2023 school year, students will bring hundreds of devices with thousands of applications into district ecosystems. With an increase in in-classroom technology, exploitable student devices, and insecure applications, data is at risk. In this episode of the CoSN podcast presented by Telos, we discuss cybersecurity issues in schools and how actionable data and strategies districts can take to protect their data from novel dangers. Today’s guests are Eric Nester and Wesley Doebler. Eric Nester is the Director of Intelligence Enterprise Solutions at Telos Corporation. Eric began his intelligence career in the United States Marine Corp and is a 16-year veteran of the Intelligence Community with specific expertise in technical targeting and enterprise-level solution architecture. Eric runs the commercial attribution and federal targeting teams at Telos. Wesley Doebler is the Director of Operations Advanced Cyber Analytics at Telos Corporation. He is a former Naval Intelligence leader with 10 years of experience in the Intelligence Community with particular specialties in networking, targeting, and exploitation. Currently, Wes directs the day-to-day operations of the Telos Advanced Cyber Analytics solution. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Telos. Learn more at https://www.telos.com/solutions/k12-and-higher-education/. Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN @MindRocketMedia @telosnews The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org.

Cybersecurity is an interesting and developing topic in the world of K12 education. Over the past several years, we have seen a massive investment in technology across schools and districts. This investment in educational tools has led to increased risk from student data to network soundness. In this episode of the CoSN podcast presented by Tanium, we discuss the cyber risk challenges that are unique to education, how to handle multi-device and individual device security, and an effective framework for districts, schools, and tech leaders to understand and implement cybersecurity strategies. Today’s guest is Doug Thompson, Chief Education Architect at Tanium. In this episode, Doug answers an important question regarding K12 education: Does your district lack the visibility to accurately gauge your cyber risk? Throughout the conversation, Doug describes the factors of visibility, what districts should be considering while building cyber security programs, and how to best implement effective cyber risk management systems and strategies. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Tanium. Learn more at https://www.tanium.com/education or by email at education@tanium.com Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN @MindRocketMedia @Tanium @thedougthompson The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org. Learn more about MindRocket Media Group at www.mindrocketmediagroup.com.

In the nearly 13,000+ school districts across the country, there are millions of data points that can help educators understand success. From student performance on standardized test scores to integration with learning tools, these data points can transform a district's approach to learning if handled correctly. In order to effectively handle data and create data transparency with the whole district, new systems have to be independently created to meet the needs of the district.  New Caney ISD, one of the fastest-growing districts in the state of Texas, provides a new model for structuring data and implementing new data-driven initiatives. In this episode of the CoSN podcast presented by Instructure, we discuss data organization and how the New Caney ISD revolutionized its approach to organizing and utilizing a collaborative data system to make the district’s data work for them. Today’s guest is Gretta O. Rogne, Director of Digital Learning Learning with New Caney Independent School District. Gretta is an experienced educational leader with 11 years of classroom experience, including campus-level leadership positions and 6 years at the administrative technology level. In this episode, Gretta describes her background, strategies for collaboration with vendors and fellow educators, and her team’s thought processes for data organization. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Instructure. Learn more at https://www.instructure.com/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN @MindRocketMedia @Instructure, @newcaneyisd The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit.

Reviewing a district’s overall technology usage is essential in the modern school. With data and cyber security concerns and the prevalence of technology in the classroom, the challenges districts are facing are incredibly unique and unprecedented. In response to the needs of these districts, the CoSN team, in partnership with Dell Technologies, expanded CoSN’s “Peer Review” process to increase resources for leadership-driven technology initiatives. The Peer Review and the District-Led Self-Review are designed around the CoSN Digital Leap Success Matrix, which outlines the practices needed to be a successful digital school system. The review processes use this Matrix to determine how districts align with best practices. Hoxie School District 46 (AR) was the first pilot district to utilize this new online resource. Today’s guests are Darrell Parks, Technology Coordinator for Hoxie Public Schools, and the Director of the Arkansas Conference of Technology,  Matt Dascoli, the Manager of K12 Education Strategy with Dell Technologies, and two CoSN representatives, Jill Brown, the Director of Professional Learning, and Robert Duke the Chief Operating Officer. The guests of this episode were all participants in the District Led Self Review of Hoxie School District. In this episode, they discuss the importance of District Review, how best to integrate data security, cyber security, communication with stakeholders, and some of their findings from the Hoxie District review. To learn more about the “District Led Review,” contact Jill Brown at jbrown@cosn.org. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Dell Technologies. Learn more at https://www.dell.com/en-us. Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN @DellTech @HoxieSchools The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org.