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Welcome to the Digital Download – it’s your source of ICT specific information from the Ministry of Education.
Privacy Week and Techweek in May

Privacy Week kicked off this week on 8 May, and is closely followed by Techweek from 13-20 May.

Privacy week offers a series of free webinars to check out. Topics range from privacy for children in the social media space to artificial intelligence to Māori data sovereignty. There is content to cater to everyone – ranging in suitability from beginner to advanced. 

Techweek follows-on, starting on 13 May and offers a week of connection and collaboration covering everything Tech. Techweek provides a platform for individuals and organisations to showcase their innovative and inspiring stories through a mix of live, virtual and hybrid events. Check out what live events are happening in your region or attend a virtual event online.
Potential ransomware attack on CommScope
 
There have been recent articles in the ICT press about a ransomware attack on CommScope, the US-based manufacturer of the Ruckus network equipment being installed in schools as part of the Te Mana Tūhono programme.

Following on-going discussions between cyber security experts from the Ministry and CommScope, there is nothing to suggest an increased risk to schools

The Ministry team will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to schools if there are any changes.
Cyber Security and Digital Support Programme

Take a look at our latest article on pages 8-9 of Interface Magazine. The article covers an overview of the Cyber Security and Digital Support Programme. Highlighting a number of the services available now and coming soon for kura and schools:
  • SchoolDNS
  • Safer Technologies for Schools
  • Self-assessment tool
We’ll be on the road in May attending the Interface Expos in Dunedin, Lincoln, Cambridge and Auckland. Along with attending the Rural Teaching Principals Conference in Queenstown. If you happen to heading to any of these events,
please drop by our exhibit stand to say hi! 
World Password Day
 
We hope everyone managed to celebrate World Password Day last week. Each year the first Thursday in May is World Password Day. It acts as a reminder to maintain solid password habits. Using strong passwords or passphrases protect our digital identities. A few tips to celebrate world password day:
  • change an old password to a long, strong one 
  • store passwords securely in a password manager, rather than in an unencrypted note or word document
  • log off when you’re done with a program
  • switch on two-factor authentication – which leads to our tip of the month.
Switching on two-factor authentication (2FA) at your school or kura is one of the best things you can do to improve the security of your school. Research from Google and Microsoft say it protects against 100% of automated attacks and prevents 75% of targeted attacks.

These days a password isn’t enough. 2FA adds another layer of security to usernames and passwords and protects your information against phishing, malware, and leaked or stolen credentials.

Check out our tip of the month which covers how to switch on 2FA (also known as two-step verification) for your school or kura.
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