Event Phone: 608-732-5460

Protect. Prepare. Respond. Recover.

In an era where cyber threats targeting K-12 institutions are growing more sophisticated, Technology Directors must stay ahead of the curve to protect student data, secure district networks, and maintain operational resilience. The Technology Directors Cybersecurity Networking Series is a monthly, virtual gathering designed to provide IT leaders in K-12 education with critical insights, best practices, and collaborative learning opportunities to strengthen their cybersecurity posture.

This series is built upon the K12 SIX Essential Cyber Incident Response Runbook and the NIST Incident Response Framework, focusing on real-world scenarios, practical strategies, and actionable takeaways. Each two-hour session will feature:
✅ Expert presentations and case studies on emerging cyber threats
✅ Live discussions on best practices and challenges in K-12 cybersecurity
✅ Practical tools, checklists, and frameworks for immediate implementation
✅ Tabletop exercises and interactive problem-solving sessions

Participants will gain the knowledge and resources needed to detect, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents, while networking with peers, industry experts, and cybersecurity professionals.

🔹 Who Should Attend?
This series is designed for K-12 Technology Directors, CIOs, IT leaders, cybersecurity teams, and district administrators responsible for safeguarding their schools against cyber threats.

📅 When?
First Wednesday of each month, September 2025 – June 2026

🖥️ Where?
Virtual – Join from anywhere!

📂 What You’ll Get:

• Access to curated cybersecurity resources, including incident response templates, vendor risk management checklists, and compliance guides
• Insights from cybersecurity professionals and real-world case studies
• Peer networking with other K-12 Technology Directors facing similar challenges

Take action now to strengthen your district’s cybersecurity strategy and join a community of forward-thinking K-12 IT leaders!

Session Topics, Discussion Questions, & Resources

September 3, 2025 | Cybersecurity Preparedness: Building a Strong Foundation

• Topics:
  • Overview of the Cyber Incident Response Life Cycle (NIST Framework)
  • Key cyber threats in K-12 environments
  • Creating and testing an Incident Response Plan (IRP)
  • Panel Discussion: Lessons Learned from Real K-12 Cyber Incident

October 1, 2025 | Detection & Analysis: Identifying Cyber Threats Early

• Topics:
  • Common Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)
  • Threat intelligence sources (K12 SIX, MS-ISAC, CISA)
  • Best practices for monitoring systems & networks

November 12, 2025 | Incident Containment: Stopping an Attack in Progress

• Topics:
  • Isolating affected systems without losing evidence
  • Blocking compromised accounts & network segments
  • Internal vs. external Incident Response Teams (IRTs)

December 3, 2025 | Eradication & Recovery: Restoring IT Systems

• Topics:
  • Removing malware & backdoors post-attack
  • Patching & system hardening
  • Restoring from backups & verifying data integrity

January 14, 2026 | Post-Incident Review & Continuous Improvement

• Topics:
  • Documenting & analyzing incidents
  • Lessons learned & process improvements
  • Building a culture of cyber resilience

February 4, 2026 | Cyber Risk Management and Insurance

• Topics:
  • Understanding cyber liability insurance
  • Financial impact of cyber attacks
  • Budgeting for cybersecurity investments

March 4, 2026 | Phishing and Social Engineering: Stopping Human-Based Attacks

• Topics:
  • Phishing attack prevention & response
  • Cybersecurity awareness training
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

April 1, 2026 | Third-Party and Vendor Risk Management

• Topics:
  • Evaluating vendor security postures
  • Supply chain risks in K-12 IT
  • Cybersecurity clauses in vendor contracts

May 6, 2026 | Cybersecurity Tabletop Exercise

• Topics:
  • Simulated cyber attack scenario
  • Collaborative problem-solving
  • Playbook development for real incidents

June 3, 2026 | Cybersecurity Policy & Compliance in K-12

• Topics:
  • FERPA, CIPA, and state regulations
  • Updating IT security policies
  • Aligning cybersecurity with educational goals