School ICT News Bulletin No. 315 - 14/07/2023Published by ICT Solutions eBulletin Items- IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Broadband - Are you ready for the Capita network switch off on 31/03/2024?
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION: A reminder to remain vigilant
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Cyber Security Webinars - September 20th/21st 2023
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Powering off core network equipment over the summer holiday period
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 reaching end of support
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Service Desk opening hours over the summer holiday period
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Primary schools - Register for your free BBC micro:bits
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION: New ICT Equipment Purchasing Portal Available
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Google Classrooms - Transferring ownership of a class
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Removal of 0845 Service Desk contact number from September 1st, 2023
1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Broadband - Are you ready for the Capita network switch off on 31/03/2024?
All Schools/Academies/Trusts, on the Capita network, have been provided with their quotes for Broadband from Rydal and Schools Broadband.
Although next March may seem a long time away, with lead times for provisioning the replacement services, guaranteeing networking resources, sign off from Governors and change freezes around Christmas time, you need to start preparing to move your service now.
As a reminder, if you are engaging with broadband suppliers, please ensure you speak to your IT support or have them present at meetings to assist with migration questions.
More information can be found on our website at the following link Broadband Framework and if you have any questions, you can email our dedicated project mailbox - educonnectivity@norfolk.gov.uk
2. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: A reminder to remain vigilant
Cyber security is even more important than ever right now as there have been a number of high-profile cyber incidents/attacks through phishing attacks at various educational establishments throughout the UK.
Phishing is when attackers attempt to trick users into doing 'the wrong thing', such as clicking a bad link that will download malware or direct them to a suspicious website. Attacks can install ransomware, sabotage systems, or steal intellectual property and money.
Phishing can be conducted via a text message, social media, or by phone, but the term 'phishing' is mainly used to describe attacks that arrive by email. Phishing emails can reach millions of users directly and hide amongst the huge number of emails that busy users receive.
If something doesn’t feel right, it’s usually because it isn’t. Please think before you click!
3. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Cyber Security Webinars - September 20th/21st 2023
Are you interested in improving your cyber security knowledge?
Join Secure Schools to learn simple ways to help protect your school from cyber-attacks and watch a demonstration of their new online platform. Secure Schools are pleased to host four webinars for schools and trusts in Norfolk County Council at the following dates and times in September.
To sign up for one of the sessions, click the link below and complete the short registration form:
September 20th - 10:30 hours
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/2394230982242227803
September 20th - 14:30 hours
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/2360404507013962329
September 21st - 10:30 hours
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/2620302667541148764
September 21st - 14:30 hours
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/7881065584216806240
About Secure Schools
Secure Schools is based in Suffolk and helps schools protect themselves against cyber-attacks. They offer an online platform that includes staff training, a phishing simulation tool and a library of cyber security policies. Secure Schools also offer internal cyber security audits and system security testing.
To learn more about Secure Schools, click the link: https://www.secureschools.com/uk/
4. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Powering off core network equipment over the summer holiday period
We would like to ask schools to refrain from turning off the power to the core networking equipment over the forthcoming summer holiday period. Core networking equipment includes routers, switches and servers, often in a wall or floor cabinet. These devices are monitored by ourselves and Capita and turning off the power results in false alarms. This could potentially result in your school incurring a charge for an engineer visit.
If there is no alternative to powering off the communications cabinet and core equipment, because of planned work, for example, please advise us in advance.
For more information:
Please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk
5. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 reaching end of support
When does support for Windows Server 2012 end?
Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 support will end on October 10, 2023
What does end of support mean?
After this date, these products will no longer receive security updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, technical support, or online technical content updates.
What happens if I continue to use Windows Server 2012?
Whilst you can continue to use Windows Server 2012, after support has ended, your network will become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses.
Some of the applications dependent on you using a later version of Windows Server will cease to operate or be able to be updated.
What if I can’t afford to upgrade my server?
Contact ourselves to discuss our Refresh Enhancement Programme. More details can be found at the link here
You may wish to consider going serverless, and store files in the cloud, rather than host them on site.
For more information
Please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk
6. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Service Desk opening hours over the summer holiday period
To reflect the reduced demand on the Service Desk over the forthcoming summer holiday period, we will be changing the hours of the Service Desk accordingly.
From July 31st to September 1st, the hours will be as follows -
09:00 to 16:00.
Normal opening hours of 08:00 to 16:30 will resume on Monday, September 4th.
For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk
7. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Primary schools - Register for your free BBC micro:bits
The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that can be used to teach primary school children about coding.
Currently, the BBC are offering 30 free of charge to primary schools. More details, and how to register, can be found here
8. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: New ICT Equipment Purchasing Portal Available
ICT Solutions, in partnership with Getech, are pleased to announce a new way for Education establishments to request quotes and procure ICT equipment via our new Purchasing Portal.
Utilising Government Frameworks, this store has been put together to provide Education establishments with a trusted platform to purchase ICT Equipment and is managed by ICT Solutions (Norfolk County Council). The procurement framework enables direct award procurement and we have completed a full evaluation of products/pricing and have awarded the supply contract to Getech.
To register for access, please click on the following link and then the ‘Register’ button - portal.getech.co.uk/ncc
For any help or further advice regarding the new portal, please contact us via email - ictcontractsteam@norfolk.gov.uk
9. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Google Classrooms - Transferring ownership of a class
It is important to ensure that a current teacher with an active Google NSIX account is always the owner of your classes in Google Classroom. If the primary teacher/class owner leaves your school and their Google NSIX account is deleted, then it will no longer be possible to transfer ownership of that class to another current staff member. This means that no one will have full access to manage the class going forward and some class features will stop working. For this reason, it is important that you always know who owns your Google classes and include the transfer of Google classes into your staff leavers procedure.
The following Google help page provides guidance on how to transfer ownership of a class to another teacher at your school - https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/answer/7449476?hl=en
For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk
10. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Removal of 0845 Service Desk contact number from September 1st, 2023
From September 1st, our Service Desk contact number 0845 303 3003 will be switched off, with our only contact number being 01603 475603. Whilst the 0845 number has been in operation since the inception of ICT Solutions, with people frequently contacting us via mobile telephones, not all providers include 0845 numbers in their free call bundles. Typically, numbers beginning 01 and 02 are.
At present, if you call the 0845 number, you will receive a message that it is being switched off but will still be routed through to the Service Desk.
For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk
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