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Springfield Township technology leaders outline cybersecurity upgrades, device refresh and new 'Spartan Forum' space
Summary
District technology director and systems staff described recent cybersecurity work, a PowerSchool incident response, Chromebook and phone upgrades, and the renovated LGI now called the Spartan Forum.
Brandon Lutz, the districttechnology director, and Matt Snead, the systems lead, told the School District of Springfield Township board on March 18 that the technology department has focused recent work on cybersecurity, classroom device refreshes and infrastructure upgrades.
The presentation said the district installed a new enterprise firewall, tightened VPN access and implemented multi-factor authentication (MFA) for accounts; staff now run monthly phishing campaigns and are drafting an incident response plan after the district navigated a security incident affecting PowerSchool. "Email is the number 1 way that attacks get into our network," Snead said, describing phishing as the primary threat vector and why the district is proposing further email security investments.
Lutz said the department manages roughly 87 applications used across the district and has restructured teams to give schools clearer support. The district recently moved to PowerSchool and Schoology, completed three report-card cycles since the transition, and rolled out a fully cloud-based phone system. Lutz also highlighted a successful Chromebook replacement for grades 6 through 12 and music MacBook replacements for Kâ12 as part of an ongoing device lifecycle plan.
The presentation also described facilities-related technology work: new wireless access points purchased under the federal E-rate program, ongoing wiring upgrades tied to a planned move out of the middle schoolAudion later this year, and purchases of wireless audio and backup services that were on the meeting agenda for approval. Lutz and Snead described a student-testing program for devices and exploratory plans for student-led repairs.
Board members asked operational questions about backup and Internet service procurement. Administration explained the district will replace its current backup with a Rubrik backup service and pursue an Internet/fiber agreement that would be E-rate funded. Lutz and Snead said documentation from prospective vendors includes service-level information and that the firewall, VPN and MFA changes mark immediate improvements in defenses.
The meeting later approved related procurement items on the consent agenda, including a Rubrik data backup contract, wireless audio equipment, and a five-year agreement for Internet/fiber services (see "Votes at a glance" summary for approvals and contract amounts).
