Welcome to Episode 7 of the Zero Breach Zone ! Join hosts Phil Hintz and Andy Lombardo as they sit down with Frankie Jackson, a cybersecurity expert and former CTO of Cypress Fairbanks ISD, to explore the intersection of education and cybersecurity. From NASA to one of Texas's largest school districts, Frankie shares her journey and insights on developing comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks for educational institutions.

As a thought leader in K-12 cybersecurity, Frankie Jackson continues advocating for increased diversity in technology, co-authoring The Savvy Ed Tech Leader alongside Sheryl Abshire, Diane Doersch, and Donna Williamson – a comprehensive roadmap helping technology practitioners advance their careers and shape the future of educational technology. This episode is highly engaging and essential listening for K-12 cybersecurity pros and the like!

Key Takeaways:
• Frankie Jackson transitioned from NASA to K-12 education for a better work-life balance but found her true passion
• Her work in Cypress Fairbanks ISD, one of the largest school districts in Texas
• The Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) and the focus on data privacy in education
• Behind the scenes of he Cybersecurity Coalition and why it was formed to improve cybersecurity practices in education
• The NIST Cybersecurity Framework and how it was adapted for educational institutions
• Frankie explains why collaboration among strategic partners is crucial for effective cybersecurity solutions
• The creation of the cybersecurity rubric, which helps school districts assess their cybersecurity maturity
• Why training for cybersecurity rubric evaluators is essential for effective implementation
• Phil asks if cybersecurity insurance rates can decrease with improved cybersecurity practices
• Frankie Jackson envisions a standardized framework for cybersecurity in education
• Parting Tool: Savvy Ed Tech Leader Self Assessment

Resources Mentioned:
- Trusted Learning Environment (TLE)
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework
- Cybersecurity Coalition
- Cybersecurity Rubric
- The Savvy Ed Tech Leader book

Connect with Frankie Jackson

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As we round out the year 2024, we wanted to reintroduce you to our hosts Andy Lombardo & Phil Hintz and remind you why the Zero Breach Zone is a vital resource for K-12 cybersecurity.

Welcome to the debut episode of Zero Breach Zone! In this episode, hosts Andy Lombardo and Phil Hintz introduce the podcast, focused on the critical importance of cybersecurity in K-12 education. Drawing from their backgrounds in education and technology, they share their personal experiences with cyber attacks and discuss why striving for a “zero breach zone” is essential, even though complete security isn’t always achievable.

Key topics include insider threats, student data privacy, and the growing need for cybersecurity insurance in schools. Andy and Phil also highlight BlueMirror, a free SIEM tool for Microsoft 365, which provides alerts and guidance on suspicious activity.

Takeaways:

• Striving for a "zero breach zone" is critical, even though perfect security is unattainable.
• Insider attacks and protecting student data privacy are unique challenges in K-12 education.
• Cybersecurity insurance is becoming essential for school districts.
• Introducing our recurring segment, The Parting Tool: This episode features BlueMira, a free tool that helps detect and respond to suspicious activity within Microsoft 365 environments.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on the importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding our schools!

This podcast is brought to you by CyberNut—the go-to security solution for schools, built with IT Directors to protect against online threats, data breaches, and phishing. Learn more: https://www.cybernut.com/

Welcome to Episode 6 of the Zero Breach Zone! In this episode, hosts Phil Hintz and Andy Lombardo welcome Jason Yaw Osei, Tech Director of Technology and Cybersecurity at Campbell ISD in Texas, for a fun and engaging discussion about cybersecurity in education and innovative training approaches.

Yaw's infectious energy and passion for all things tech shine through in this episode packed with laughs, tech talk, and cybersecurity insights. From geeking out about AI innovations to trading cybersecurity war stories, the conversation flows effortlessly between serious security discussions and playful tech banter. Whether you're a cybersecurity pro or just love hearing passionate people talk tech, this episode delivers entertainment and education in equal measure.

Key Takeaways

• Breaking Down Innovation Barriers: Yaw discusses his thoughtful approach to introducing new security practices in communities that often view change with skepticism, showing how building trust and understanding can transform resistance into enthusiasm
• Digital Identity as Personal Security: Yaw breaks down complex cybersecurity concepts using brilliant home security analogies - from treating passwords like house keys to viewing data breaches like leaving your front door wide open. His memorable comparisons help make digital security feel as natural and necessary as locking your doors at night
• Innovative Training Through CyberNut: Discussion of how gamification is revolutionizing cybersecurity training, making it more engaging and effective for educational staff in his district
• Future of EdTech Security: Analysis of emerging trends in educational cybersecurity, including the integration of AI and automation in school settings.
• CyberNut - the security awareness training platform built exclusively for schools
• Parting Tool: AboutMy.email: lets you send us a questionable email and we'll analyze it and tell you about its authentication, size, structure and how well it complies with best practices set by Yahoo & Google