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District installs Syntegix badges, Evolve entry system and runs cybersecurity exercise ahead of fall
Summary
Business services and technology staff reported installation progress for visitor-response badges (Syntegix), arrival/entry systems (Evolve) and a district cybersecurity penetration exercise; leaders said initial results show the district is in a good position though some follow-up and user training remain.
The Harris County Board of Education heard July 1 that the district is installing multiple safety and technology systems this summer and conducted a cybersecurity exercise to test network defenses.
Mr. Fisher, director of business services and technology, described completion of Syntegix badge installs needed for an emergency-response system the state requires, and said the vendor will return for campus-level work and training. The district is also rolling out Evolve entry/arrival systems at schools; Fisher said the system will be tested with summer-school traffic beginning July 8 and that this staged rollout will allow staff to refine procedures before the first full day of classes.
On cybersecurity, Fisher reported an outside firm conducted a scheduled penetration exercise. “They were really in a good position,” he said of the district’s preparedness, adding the final report was pending. The district’s IT lead, Jonathan, also scheduled follow-up work with school teams to address identified vulnerabilities and to integrate lessons with routine operations.
Board members discussed user training and “growing pains,” noting teachers and staff may need time to learn new badge or entry procedures; Fisher said the district will provide training during pre‑planning and the first weeks of school. The board praised staff for implementation work and for seeking to balance physical and cyber protections ahead of the school year.
