In this episode of the K12 Tech Talk podcast, hosts Josh, Chris, and Mark delve into the recent challenges facing K-12 technology in light of new tariffs and significant budget cuts. They discuss the potential impact of these economic and political changes on school services, with a specific focus on the technology and cybersecurity landscapes. A key highlight of this episode is an in-depth analysis of the MS-ISAC funding cuts announced this week. As a member of the MS-ISAC Executive Committee, Josh shares insights on the repercussions these cuts could have on cybersecurity measures and services provided to schools. The hosts also explore the broader impact of tariffs on technology purchases, from student devices to school infrastructure, and discuss alternative strategies that schools may need to adopt. They consider the potential domino effects on construction, transportation, and food services within schools due to tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China. Throughout the episode, there's also a segment about the enduring presence of fax machines in schools, reflecting on how some traditional technologies remain integral despite advancements. MS-ISAC Cybersecurity Report https://learn.cisecurity.org/2025-k12-cybersecurity-report-download   PowerSchool Summary Report https://www.powerschool.com/security/sis-incident/   MS-ISAC Loses Federal Support https://statescoop.com/ms-isac-loses-federal-support/ -------------------- Classlink Managed Methods VIZOR Extreme Networks Fortinet -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Join Chris and Mark as they hit the highlights of the recently concluded MidwestTechTalk Security Symposium. The conference tackled crucial topics surrounding incident response planning and cybersecurity preparedness in K-12 schools. Then, the show wraps up with insights from an informative interview with SaferWatch. -------------------- SaferWatch NTP Classlink Lightspeed Fortinet -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Tune in to hear insights on how some states are ramping up cell phone bans in schools and the implications this has for students and staff alike, including the extension to smartwatches, beepers, and pagers! The guys also delve into a pivotal Supreme Court case regarding the E-rate program, unpacking the ramifications of the recent ruling that classifies E-rate as federal dollars. Consider how this may influence the next critical case questioning the constitutionality of E-rate itself. The episode also covers pressing cybersecurity issues, such as Google's upcoming changes to MFA, and explores the liability surrounding personal data stored on school-issued devices—a must-listen for understanding what districts need to consider to protect both themselves and their staff. -------------------- Classlink SaferWatch Managed Methods VIZOR Fortinet -------------------- 00:00:00-Intro 00:04:45-E-Rate Win in the Supreme Court 00:08:20-Impacts of DOGE on CISA 00:14:23-Beeper Bans! 00:20:30-Google’s MFA Changes 00:25:45-Data Breach Liability Discussion 00:41:20-Upcoming Events in K-12 Tech -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.  

In this week's episode of the K12 Tech Talk podcast, the team dives into some pressing issues. We start with a discussion on how tariffs might affect project pricing for the coming year, exploring potential impacts on schools' budgets and strategies they might employ to mitigate these effects. The conversation then shifts to Google's new Chrome security feature powered by AI. We debate the implications of this feature in terms of privacy and security, particularly in school environments, and whether or not to implement this at a district level. The centerpiece of the episode is a concerning discussion about the potential threat to the E-Rate program. With pending litigation that could have significant impacts on funding and tech infrastructure in schools, we provide insights into how schools are preparing for potential outcomes. -------------------- NTP Lightspeed ClassLink SaferWatch Fortinet -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Join us in episode 201, as we dive into the intricate world of cybersecurity breach coaches. We start with a deep analysis of the latest cybersecurity reports from Clever and CoSN, highlighting critical vulnerabilities and the evolving landscape of K12 cybersecurity challenges. In an exclusive interview, journalist Mark Keierleber from The 74 explores the clandestine operations of "breach coaches"—the hired guns who control the narrative and management of school cyberattacks. Keierleber sheds light on the ethical and operational conflicts schools face when deciding between transparency and self-preservation during a ransomware crisis. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:04:30-The 74: ”Hired Guns” 00:08:40-PowerSchool Breach Update 00:11:14-CoSN Cybersecurity Briefing 00:16:14-Clever’s Cyber Secure Report 00:23:48-Interview with Mark Keierleber -------------------- ManagedMethods VIZOR ClassLink SaferWatch Fortinet -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

The 200th episode of the K12 Tech Talk podcast was packed with special guests, laughs, and big announcements. Musician Colt Ball kicked things off with a live performance, and David Wren from NTP discussed K12TechPro's cybersecurity deals for schools. Tom Ryan shared insights on AI, while Chris Illingworth from Fortinet talked about security solutions. The K12 Tech Talk and K12TechPro team celebrated milestones, including 1,000 K12TechPro members across 50 states and nine countries. The guys did dad jokes with Josh’s son, Jackson, and an exciting giveaway from ChromebookParts—200 free toolkits and $1,000 in repairs! (Email k12techtalk@gmail.com NOW!) Tonia Haddix, known from Chimp Crazy, joined for a lively discussion on exotic animal laws. The episode wrapped up with lessons from a ransomware attack featuring Episode 31’s Denzel. Colt Ball closed us out with some tunes. It was crazy. It was great. Thank you all for listening and supporting us over these 200 episodes. We are K12 Tech Talk—and so are you. THAT'S RIGHT! ChromebookParts is giving a free tool kit for every episode we have done! That's 200 tool kits to the first 200 listeners to reach out to us via k12techtalk@gmail.com. SUBJECT LINE: FREE TOOL KIT. CONTENT: YOUR NAME AND SHIPPING ADDRESS.  BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! One of those lucky 200 people will receive $1000 in free repair services for their school district too! NTP Lightspeed ClassLink SaferWatch Fortinet -------------------- 00:00:00-Intro 00:00:25-Colt Ball performs our intro live! 00:07:11-David Wren (NTP) 00:16:45-Tom Ryan 00:26:15-Josh's Kid! 00:30:56-Chris Illingworth (Fortinet) 00:36:32-K12 Tech Pro crew 00:42:50-Josh goes Chimp Crazy! 00:55:45-"Denzel" 01:01:06-Outro with Colt Ball -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

We did this episode for about 45 minutes and realized we didn't hit record. It happens. This is a redo. It's a disaster. Really. Next week is a SPECIAL episode as we hit 200. Get ready for that. We promise next week will be better. In the meanwhile, we discuss: Who pays for Chromebook repairs? What will chip tariffs do to 25-26 purchases? Cybersquaters! Origin stories! FCC Cybersecurity Pilot Info -------------------- 00:00:00-Intro 00:03:58-Tariffs?? 00:11:21-Forti-updates 00:13:33-Domain Squatting 00:18:30-How did you get started in K-12 technology? 00:29:30-Episode 200 is coming! VIZOR SaferWatch ManagedMethods ClassLink Fortinet -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

In this lively episode of the K12 Tech Talk Podcast, a significant portion of the discussion focuses on recent updates regarding the PowerSchool data breach. The hosts shed light on the critical changes necessary for enhancing cybersecurity in school districts, including expanding MFA, moving away from outdated FTP to modern solutions, and embracing a culture of data reduction. They stress the importance of improving school district and vendor practices to mitigate security risks. 00:00:02-Intro 00:04:36-Chris' Disney Adventure 00:09:03-AI Prompt Security Risks 00:11:03-PowerSchool Breach Update 00:16:31-K12TechPro & 200th Episode 00:24:30-Top 10 K12 Cybersecurity Recommendations 00:57:12-Upcoming Events -------------------- NTP Lightspeed CTL ClassLink Fortinet -------------------- We're presenting 2 sessions at SecurED Virtual Conference on Jan. 28th -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.  

In this episode of the K12 Tech Talk Podcast, the team dives into the recent PowerSchool breach. Mark, who was recently featured on Canadian national news (Eh!), shares updates and insights into the breach's technical aspects, along with a breakdown on an article he published on K12TechPro. The discussion also highlights the roles and responsibilities of K12 tech leaders in managing data breaches and emphasizes the importance of transparency and communication with parents, staff, and state agencies. The team talks through the ethical considerations and the potential implications on data privacy agreements and industry standards like SOC 2 and ISO certifications. The episode also discusses the unusual breach by a furry hacker targeting Scholastic, the potential policy priorities of Linda McMahon at the Department of Education, and an update on AI deepfake incidents affecting educators. 00:00-Intro & PowerSchool Update 06:30-What is the impact? 12:59-The Bigger Picture 17:40-Scholastic Breach Discussion 20:27-Political Landscape Changes 26:23-Curriculum Transparency 28:51-Legal Implications of Deepfakes 41:53-Obligations After a Breach 42:57-Final Thoughts on Data Privacy   -------------------- VIZOR ManagedMethods Lumu ClassLink Fortinet -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

In this episode, we explore humorous/serious use of AI joke writing (PowerSchool jokes), we have a discussion on cell phone bans being implemented across various school districts this new year, touching on one policy that involves fines. The main focus, however, is a captivating story where a teacher was terminated for allegedly sharing her password, leading to students tampering with electronic records and facing charges. We tackle tough questions about accountability: Should a teacher lose their job for password sharing? Are students facing reasonable repercussions? Who bears the blame in cases of security breaches like this? We discuss the essential measures for cybersecurity in schools, emphasizing the necessity of multi-layered security approaches. https://www.al.com/news/2025/01/alabama-could-soon-fine-students-who-repeatedly-violate-classroom-cell-phone-restrictions.html https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-11-13/lausd-strict-school-cellphone-ban-to-begin https://www.koin.com/news/portland/pps-bans-cell-phones-adopts-off-and-away-all-day-policy/ https://www.wistv.com/2025/01/07/cell-phone-ban-begins-south-carolina-schools/ https://www.comparitech.com/news/ransomware-roundup-2024-end-of-year-report/#The_top_5_biggest_ransom_demands_in_2024 https://www.yahoo.com/news/liverpool-high-school-staff-member-215453485.html 00:00-Introduction 04:53-Cell Phone Bans! 18:36-2024 State of Ransomware 23:05-Teacher fired for sharing her password 38:29-Reducing the risk of shared passwords 46:39-Closing and more AI jokes -------------------- NTP Lightspeed Lumu ClassLink Fortinet -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.