Information Technology at Garrison Union Free School District (2023M-127)

Alright, mates, get a cuppa and let’s have a chit-chat about a recent audit that went down at the Garrison Union Free School District. Spoiler alert – the results won’t put the district in the good books of any IT enthusiasts out there.

So, the main purpose was to eyeball how well they’ve locked down their network user accounts, how they manage their IT gears, and their readiness to face IT disasters. Sadly, it turned out that ‘adequate’ was far from the word anyone would use to describe their procedures.

The situation was a bit of a pig’s ear, to be honest. You see, our chums at the District lacked the necessary processes needed if an unexpected IT disaster or hiccup were to occur. The thing is, without a proper plan in place, bouncing back from such disruptions could be like trying to walk up the down escalator. The danger of losing essential data and prolonging the resumption of operations increases enormously.

Now, imagine this – out of 115 network user accounts in the District, 40 weren’t even necessary. That’s a whopping 35 percent, mates! These redundant accounts are like open doors for trouble. Miscreants could easily get in, have a bit of a nosy around personal and sensitive info, or worse, switch the network off!

And they were none too careful with their kit either. Disappointingly, 10 of their IT assets, including laptops and that, weren’t logged into their inventory list as they should’ve been. Even a single printer was given the cold shoulder.

Now, onto the nitty-gritty. It’s time our dear District gets its skates on and pulls up its socks. First off, some written rules to manage user access to the network should be set in stone. Any unnecessary user accounts must be disabled post-haste and reviewed from time to time.

Next, they need to get their inventory in order. Every piece of equipment, from the smallest gadget to the bulkiest server, should be recorded without fail. I’m talking about a list, folks – comprehensive, up-to-date, and absolutely precise.

Last but not least, let’s talk about the contingency plan. It’s about time they got their hands dirty and put together a full-blown, all-encompassing plan. It shouldn’t stop there, though. This plan needs regular sprucing up and should be shared with everyone who’s part of the process.

Good news, though: seems like they’re taking heed. The District bosses have agreed with the suggestions and have promised action. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope they’re not just full of hot air. But for now, let’s stay sharp and continue the conversation about IT security in our schools. After all, it’s a weighty matter for us all.

by Parker Bytes