
K12 Tech Talk
A K12TechPro Podcast. This podcast is about trending K12 technology topics and issues. Josh, Chris, and Mark have real conversations, real arguments, and real banter on IT issues and trends in K12 Schools. Current and Past Sponsors: Absolute, HPE Aruba Networking, Blocksi, ClassLink, CTL, Eaton, Extreme Networks, Fortinet, Howard Technology Solutions, iDoc, Infoblox, INVZBL, Jupiter Education, K12TechPro, Luma Technologies, Managed Methods, MidwestTechTalk, NTP, Papercut, Provision Data Solutions, Pondurance, PowerGistics, Prey, Rise Vision, Ruckus/Commscope, SaferWatch, Scale Computing, SHI, StatusGator, SomethingCool.com, Tripp Lite, Verkada, VIZOR
Latest episodes

Dec 16, 2022 • 30min
Episode 101 - 2022 Year End Review
Last week the guys asked all the guests to look back at 2022, and give a forecast for 2023. In this episode, it's the guys' turn. They each take an assessment of 2022, and look forward to see what 2023 might hold. Also, Chris rants about being required to fill out the NCSR.
Visit our sponsors:
ClassLink
Fortinet
SomethingCool.com - Cybersecurity Solutions
Extreme Networks - dmayer@extremenetworks.com
Provision Data Solutions
Oh, and...
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
Tweet us @k12techtalkpod
Visit our LinkedIn page HERE
Hang out with us at K12TechPro.com
Buy our merch!!!

Dec 9, 2022 • 1h 13min
Episode 100 - You Won’t Believe This One...
Tonight we celebrate Episode 100 with a retrospective of sorts with visits from former guests, loyal listeners, former hosts (Cory), a sponsor, and one you won't believe. Somehow Chris convinced Jack Rhysider from Darknet Diaries to come on and help us celebrate episode 100. All of our guests (including Jack) talk about their plans for 2023 and top priorities.
The lineup is as follows:
Jeremy from SomethingCool.com, Listener Pate, Listener/Fill-in Host Eric, Jack Rhysider, Listener Dan, Listener Joe, and Former Co-host Cory. We really appreciate everyone joining and spending time with us this evening. Without our listeners, this show would not exist. We made it to Episode 100 because of you. And special shoutout to Jack Rhysider for joining us; he didn't have to and was super awesome to talk to.
Please visit our sponsors. They make the show possible.
Visit our sponsors:
Managed Methods
Free Google security audit that Managed Methods is running through the end of the year - https://hubs.ly/Q01sHqqY0
SomethingCool.com - Cybersecurity Solutions
Provision Data Solutions
Extreme Networks - dmayer@extremenetworks.com
Jefferson College's success with Extreme Networks
Oh, and...
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
Tweet us @k12techtalkpod
Visit our LinkedIn page HERE
Hang out with us at K12TechPro.com
Buy our merch!!!

Dec 2, 2022 • 57min
Episode 99 - Cyber Planning with Don Wolf and Idrissa Davis
We took the week off for Thanksgiving to rest and relax, but we are back and hitting it hard! We as in Josh and Mark; Chris is in a Christmas parade at the time of this recording lolol.
If you have not listened to Episodes 97 and 98, STOP NOW and go listen to those episodes first. 99 is the third episode in this series. In 97, we talk with a superintendent about a cyber attack on his school. In 98, we talk about fostering a cyber security culture in schools. We promise they are worth the listen.
In this episode, we talk with Don Wolf from Portland Public Schools and Idrissa Davis from St. Paul Public Schools to find out just what is a "cyber plan." Cyber plans are being required by insurance companies, and some state legislatures, but people have a hard time defining what goes into a cyber plan. We hope that after listening to this episode you will have a much better understanding of what goes into a cyber plan, and how to start developing your own.
Visit our sponsors:
Managed Methods
Free Google security audit that Managed Methods is running through the end of the year - https://hubs.ly/Q01sHqqY0
SomethingCool.com - Cybersecurity Solutions
Provision Data Solutions
Extreme Networks - dmayer@extremenetworks.com
Jefferson College's success with Extreme Networks
Oh, and...
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
Tweet us @k12techtalkpod
Visit our LinkedIn page HERE
Hang out with us at K12TechPro.com
Buy our merch!!!

Nov 18, 2022 • 58min
Episode 98 - Interview with Tom Ryan and Lenny Schad
TELL ME I HAVE AN UGLY BABY!!!
This is the second episode in our three part series about enhancing school district cybersecurity posture. Last week we spoke with Scott Elder, the Superintendent of Albuquerque Public Schools about their ransomware attack. This week we speak with Tom Ryan and Lenny Schad. Tom is the former CIO of Albuquerque Public Schools, current CoSN board member, and member of the Council of Great City Schools. Lenny is the former CIO of Katy (TX) ISD, the former CIO of Houston (TX) ISD, and a former CoSN board member. They both help us understand what we can do to make cyber security the responsibility of the entire school district, not just the responsibility of the IT Department.
OH, AND TELL ME I HAVE AN UGLY BABY!!!
Hang out with us at K12TechPro.com
Buy our merch!!!
Visit our sponsors:
Managed Methods
ManagedMethods/EdWeek Research Center K-12 cybersecurity & safety survey white paper download: https://hubs.ly/Q01nRG5l0
SomethingCool.com - Cybersecurity Solutions
Provision Data Solutions
Extreme Networks - dmayer@extremenetworks.com
Jefferson College's success with Extreme Networks
Oh, and...
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
Tweet us @k12techtalkpod
Visit our LinkedIn page HERE

Nov 11, 2022 • 1h 1min
Episode 97 - Ransomware Interview with Scott Elder
Tonight we sit down with Scott Elder, the Superintendent of Albuquerque Public Schools. We talk about the ransomware attack they experienced in January 2021. This discussion is from the perspective of the Superintendent during the attack. Scott is wildly candid and honest about the experience.
This is the first episode in our three part series. The second episode will be about Organizational Change related to Cyber with Tom Ryan (Board Chair of CoSN) and Lenny Schad (Former Houston ISD CIO). The third episode will be about building your own Cyber Plan with Don Wolf (Portland CIO) and Idris Davis (St. Paul CIO).
Hang out with us at K12TechPro.com
Buy our merch!!!
Visit our sponsors:
Managed Methods
-Recently hosted a panel discussion on cybersecurity and the future of learning. You can watch that recording on demand https://hubs.ly/Q01nRG4B0
-K-12 Ransomware Security Success Kit: https://hubs.ly/Q01nRG4-0
SomethingCool.com
Provision Data Solutions
Extreme Networks - dmayer@extremenetworks.com
Jefferson College's success with Extreme Networks
Oh, and...
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
Tweet us @k12techtalkpod
Visit our LinkedIn page HERE

Nov 4, 2022 • 47min
Episode 96 - NCSR, E-Rate, CoSN and More!
In this episode the guys cover the E-Rate admin window, filling out the 2022 NCSR, and getting verified Twitter accounts for schools. Also, Josh talks about getting rid of an obsolete records system still running on Windows XP. Mark teases our upcoming 3 episode series with MEGA-sized district leaders examining ransomware events and the need for Incident Response Plans. Finally, Josh talks about the steps he took to keep one student from emailing other students.
Hang out with us at K12TechPro.com
Buy our merch!!!
Visit our sponsors:
Managed Methods - kfritchen@managedmethods.com
SomethingCool.com
Provision Data Solutions
Extreme Networks - dmayer@extremenetworks.com
Oh, and...
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
Tweet us @k12techtalkpod
Visit our LinkedIn page HERE

Oct 28, 2022 • 49min
Episode 95 - SCARY STORIES Part Deux
In this episode the guys tell their own Scary IT Stories that they have experienced. Josh and Chris recap the MOREnet conference and also talk about their struggles with e911. Mark talks about getting DKIM and DMARC set up on his email. Josh quickly talks about the FortiGate vulnerability that was announced a few weeks ago. And Chris works through some childhood scars related to little league baseball.
Hang out with us at K12TechPro.com
Buy our merch!!!
Visit our sponsors:
Managed Methods (Webinar coming up 11/3/22 https://hubs.ly/Q01nRG4B0)
SomethingCool.com
Provision Data Solutions
Extreme Networks
Oh, and...
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
Tweet us @k12techtalkpod
Visit our LinkedIn page HERE

Oct 21, 2022 • 46min
Episode 94 - On the Road at the MOREnet Conference (SCARY STORIES)
This week Chris and Josh hit the road! They are in Osage Beach, Missouri at the MOREnet Conference. They interview random K12 techs from across the state and ask them to tell their scary IT stories. Oh, and there might be a former K12 Tech Talk host that comes out of retirement and joins us for a few minutes. We talk to Eric, Pate, Eric, Ryan, Cory, and Brett.
Visit our sponsors:
Rise Vision
EMAIL Shea Darlison, shea.darlison@risevision.com !!!
SomethingCool.com
PDS
Extreme Networks
Oh, and...
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
Tweet us @k12techtalkpod
Visit our LinkedIn page HERE
Hang out with us at K12TechPro.com
Buy our merch!!!

Oct 14, 2022 • 42min
Episode 93 - Josh Really Loves Crab Rangoons
In this episode Chris talks about his new documentation project. Josh talks about his rough week with a fiber cut, a fender bender, and an intercom going belly up. Chris updates us on his e911 project and his frustrations with telco carriers. And there is also entirely too much discussion of crab rangoon. We are K12 Tech Talk, and so are you.
Visit our sponsors:
Rise Vision
EMAIL Shea Darlison, shea.darlison@risevision.com !!!
SomethingCool.com
HPE/Aruba
PDS
Oh, and...
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
Tweet us @k12techtalkpod
Visit our LinkedIn page HERE
Hang out with us at K12TechPro.com
Buy our merch!!!

Oct 7, 2022 • 43min
Episode 92 - Killnet Bachelor Pad
In this episode Josh and Mark are concerned with Chris' dinner choices. Mark talks about Killnet and the current threat to government websites and schools. Josh shares a story about a weird Smartboard issue, a funny Seesaw story, and recent incidents at a few schools. Chris tells us about a UPS failing on the day his network admin took off.
Visit our sponsors:
Rise Vision
SomethingCool.com
HPE/Aruba
PDS
Oh, and...
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
Tweet us @k12techtalkpod
Visit our LinkedIn page HERE
Hang out with us at K12TechPro.com
Buy our merch!!!