New Cybersecurity Protocols Coming in 2024–25

The Department of Technology & Innovation provides and maintains a wide variety of apps and software supporting teaching and learning in Barrington 220. We strive to offer a robust selection and work to maintain a climate of discovery and innovation among our staff. However, we recognize that partnering with hundreds of third-party providers with whom we share information presents potential risks, and the safety and privacy of staff and student information is a top priority.

Education institutions are currently the top target for cybercriminals. Studies show that schools and universities faced the highest number of cyberattacks compared to other industries in 2021 and 2022 (Forbes, 2023). Between 2018 and 2023, Ransomware attacks cost educational institutions an estimated $53 billion globally, and an estimated 6.7 million student and staff records were breached during that same time. Educational institutions are attractive targets for attackers due to the large concentration of personal information combined with increased vulnerabilities (NPR, 2024).

As a result of increased risk in public education, insurance companies that insure school districts against financial loss due to cyberattacks have increased regulations for districts seeking their services. The Department of Technology & Innovation constantly review our cybersecurity protocols. Beginning in Fall 2023, we worked with cybersecurity organizations and other innovative school districts to identify areas for improvement in our app and software deployment processes. 

Currently, Barrington 220 provides a mix of open and secure access to apps and software for staff and students. Open access allows students or staff to download and access applications from open sources such as websites or the Apple App Store. While this provides more flexibility and customized user experience, it also greatly increases the risk of a cyberattack. Secure access requires staff or students to access apps and software through secure environments such as the Jamf Self Service software download system. This approach is more restrictive, but provides a more manageable and secure digital environment. 

Current Levels of Software Access

	Open Access	Secure Access
iPadOS Apps	High school students All staff	Elementary students Middle school students
macOS Applications	All staff	High school students

Changes in 2024 Levels of Software Access

	Open Access	Secure Access
iPadOS Apps	High school students All staff	Elementary students Middle school students
macOS Applications	No Open Access	High school students All staff

Changes in 2025 Levels of Software Access

	Open Access	Secure Access
iPadOS Apps	No Open Access	Elementary students Middle school students High school students All staff
macOS Applications	No Open Access	High school students All staff

During the 2024–25 school year, we will shift from a mixed-access environment to a secure-access environment. This means that all apps and software used on district-owned devices must be vetted and approved before they are available for installation. This will be done in two phases, starting with macOS apps (including apps that run on MacBook Air laptops and Mac desktops) next year and iPads the following year. 

2024-2025—Effective at the beginning of the 2024–25 school year, all student and staff Mac laptops (and other macOS devices) will be Secure Access only. Users will only access and install macOS apps that have been vetted as secure using the district’s Self Service system. 

2025-2026—By the start of the 2025–26 school year, all district-issued iPad devices will have Secure Access only. Users will only access and install iPadOS apps that have been vetted as secure using the district’s Self Service system. 

The technology team will work with all users to ensure they continue to have access to the apps and software they need. This shift will not impact web-based platforms. Please contact your building LTA if you have any questions or concerns. 

References

Cardoza, K. (2024). Hackers are targeting a surprising group of people: young public school students. NPR. www.npr.org/2024/03/12/1237497833/students-schools-cybersecurity-hackers-credit

Hess, F. (2023). The Top Target For Ransomware? It’s Now K-12 Schools. Forbes. www.forbes.com/sites/frederickhess/2023/09/20/the-top-target-for-ransomware-its-now-k-12-schools/

Door and Printer/Copier Access with Staff IDs

As we transition to our new door security system, everyone has received a new ID card and will turn in their old ID card. Our new cards are marked with the logo HID iCLASS DP on the back. After you turn in your old card, you will need to associate your new card with the printer/copier system.

To associate an ID card, scan it on the printer/copier, enter your Infinite Campus username and password, and the new card will be associated with your Papercut account.

OLD CARD:

NEW CARD:

Infinite Campus 2024-2025 Active Calendar Changes on AUGUST 1, 2024

PLEASE NOTE: 

Infinite Campus 2024-2025 will not be the Active Calendar until AUGUST 1, 2024.

Upgrades for macOS Nearing the Finish Line

This year the Tech Department has emphasized the importance of our getting our Mac computers on the latest operating system to ensure the highest level of cybersecurity. We are pleased to say that staff members have answered the call in a big way! Several staff started the year on two- and three-year-old versions of macOS, but with some communication and assistance, the vast majority of staff completed their upgrades. We can't thank you enough for your efforts and cooperation. Thanks to all of you, Barrington 220's digital landscape is a safer place to be.

We are now working with our final group of staff members who need to upgrade to macOS 14. You've probably seen the notifications asking you to upgrade, and we hope you'll act soon so we can get everybody on the latest macOS by the end of the school year. For those of you who are finding it challenging because of space limitations on your computers, please reach out to your building's LTA or the Tech Department (x.1500) and we'll be happy to assist.

Going forward we hope that staff members will be more aware of the need to keep computers updated. Note that you will need 30GB available on your hard drive to help make the process run more smoothly.

Adiós Trip Tracker, Hello Advanced Trips!

TripTracker, our current system for requesting activity and field trips, will be discontinued this summer. 

All 2024–25 activity and field trips will be entered in the Advanced Trips system. Advanced Trips is an integrated component of our current Student Transportation system, powered by Traversa software.  

Advanced Trips provides a workflow for our district users to request a trip, as well as assign the users at the bus company for approving, scheduling, and completing a trip.

While we prepare Advanced Trips, you may notice some changes to your existing Student Transportation accounts. Accounts will now be school-specific and offer several opportunities for detailed trip information.

Save the date! Two training sessions for Advanced Trips will be available on August 8, 2024.

New Telephone System Rollout Continues

As reported last month, the Department of Technology and Innovation has begun the rollout of our district’s new telephone system. Our new VOIP (Voice-Over-Internet Protocol) phone system uses our district’s existing data network and connections and provides an updated platform for telephone communications. We have already begun to explore and integrate safety and security features that work with systems being implemented along with Build 220.

As of this writing, we have fully implemented the new phone system at Barrington High School, District Administrative Center, Early Learning Center, Hough, and Grove. North Barrington is next on our list, and other schools will follow through the remainder of the school year and into the summer.

The Department of Technology and Innovation will notify a building about 1 week in advance of the phone system rollout and provide training materials and videos so users can get learn about new features in advance and be ready to set up voicemail and other features when the new phones arrive. 

Staff members at buildings where we have completed our rollout have had consistently positive reactions. Although each building has its own unique set of circumstances, our Tech Team has been able to sort out the issues and resolve all problems so far.

If you are interested in seeing some of the training materials in advance, please check out the website.

Adjustments to Ad Hoc Reporting for Summer

As we gear up for the summer months, we want to inform you of a minor adjustment that needs to be made when running ad hoc reports in Infinite Campus for 2023–2024 or 2024–2025 school years. Starting in June, the "student.activeToday = TRUE" operator in ad hoc report queries will no longer work. This will not affect Summer School reports, if school is still in session.



Why this change?

During the summer, student enrollments end for the previous school year and open in August for the next school year; therefore, no one is "student.activeToday = TRUE".

What does this mean for you?

If you are running an ad hoc you created, remove the "student.activeToday = TRUE" and replace with an operator based on enrollment end date (2023–2024) or enrollment start date (2024–2025)

Questions?

Reach out to the IC Team—Tracy Harper, THarper@barrington220.org.