Cybersecurity: How the IT Department Protects and Supports Learning

Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and sophisticated. Here in British Columbia, more and more businesses and other organizations are suffering breaches, highlighting serious risks that the educational sector is not immune to.

The Abbotsford School District has a robust and modern IT infrastructure that supports the learning needs of students and staff. The Information Technology Centre (ITC) manages over 7900 Windows laptops, desktops and winbooks along with over 4400 iPads. ITC also provides technical support, training, and online resources for staff and students. ITC strives to create a safe, secure, and innovative learning environment.

One of the key challenges that ITC faces is ensuring the cybersecurity of the district's network and devices. Various measures to proactively prevent and respond to cyberattacks have been implemented. Staff are educated on how to avoid phishing, malware, and other common threats. We are committed to safeguarding the privacy and integrity of the school district's information and resources.

ITC is always working to improve our cybersecurity posture. For example, we recently implemented a new rule to block network traffic from TOR Browsers and anonymous proxies. Attackers use these methods to conceal their identity and location. By blocking these types of traffic, we have lowered the risk of data breaches, ransomware and other cyber threats.

We are dedicated to providing a high-quality IT infrastructure that supports the learning needs of students and staff and also takes cybersecurity seriously. We are always working to be more effective in the protection of our information and resources from ever-evolving cyber threats.

ROBERT KROECKER, MANAGER
Information Technology Centre