School ICT News Bulletin No. 325 - 16/07/2024 Published by ICT Solutions eBulletin Items Reminder for sites using Groupcall xporter MIS contracts - does yours expire in March 2025? Important information: A reminder to remain vigilant Powering off core network equipment over the Summer holiday period Feedback required - Are you interested in a Lego league event in 2025? ICT Equipment Purchasing Portal Available Cyber security and introduction to Cyber Choices session for UK Education Staff 1. Reminder for sites using Groupcall xporter The below only applies to schools/academies using Groupcall xporter (typically installed on the server) and will be used for attendance data and NSIX account creations/modifications Groupcall continually monitor the data feed connection between your site's MIS and their central servers. With the Summer break approaching we would like to advise that if you are looking to undertake any maintenance work on your network that might impact the connectivity between your MIS database and their central servers could you please inform us before the Summer holiday period. Such maintenance work might include: Changing Internet Service Provider (ISP) Upgrading or replacing your existing server Changing MIS provider For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk 2. MIS contracts - does yours expire in March 2025? Are you one of the many schools whose MIS (Management Information System) renewal is due in March 2025? Whilst it might seem quite a way off, once you factor in cease notification timescales required, it isn’t. If you are thinking of changing provider, you need to give yourself enough time to look at the market and see what’s available to meet your needs. As a reminder, we are accredited to support the following MIS platforms: Arbor * Bromcom ESS SIMS * We do also currently support Integris and Scholarpack, part of the same group as Arbor. Arbor is the MIS that will be promoted moving forward, as it has greater functionality than the other two. If you are interested in coming to us for your MIS support, we can liaise with the suppliers to put on webinars, as we have done previously. For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk 3. Important information: A reminder to remain vigilant Recently, we have seen successful phishing attacks at a number Norfolk schools and we would like to remind you to remain vigilant over the Summer holiday period. Cyber security is in the news frequently and there have been a number of high-profile cyber incidents/attacks throughout the UK, the most recent affecting the NHS last month. 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. It 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. These types of 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! 4. 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 Rydal/Schools Broadband 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 inforrmation, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk 5. Feedback required - Are you interested in a Lego league event in 2025? Norfolk County Council, together with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), are interested in finding out if there is demand for a Lego League event in Norfolk in Spring 2025. This year the nearest event took place in Ipswich, and we would like to know if there is enough interest to host an event in Norfolk. FIRST® LEGO® League is an inspiring robotics programme for young people, which develops confidence, problem solving, teamwork and STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills through LEGO play. Learning is focused around an annual theme which provides real world context showcasing future careers for students to aspire to. Key Impact areas of the FIRST LEGO League on students are: Inspiring students in areas of high deprivation Addressing behavioural issues through STEM enthusiasm Helping provide focus for students with special educational needs. Demonstrating STEM career pathways for young people, especially girls. Building interpersonal and transferable skills The programme is broken down into 3 age groups. For a more detailed overview please watch the relevant video for your age group linked below: Ages 4 – 6 : FIRST LEGO League Discover overview: https://youtu.be/Roa7kz1sIJg Ages 6 – 9 : FIRST LEGO League Explore: https://youtu.be/Fegi-9Qdw2Y Ages 9 – 16 : FIRST LEGO League Challenge: https://youtu.be/80GxkUYIou0 Further details of the programme, including costs can be found on the IET website - https://education.theiet.org/first-lego-league-programmes. If you are interested in registering your school, or finding out more information please complete this MS form - https://forms.office.com/e/mmtFP5rnFf 6. ICT Equipment Purchasing Portal Available Are you aware that we have a purchasing portal available to request quotes and procure ICT equipment? 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 the portal has been created in collaboration with 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 portal, please contact us via email - ictcontractsteam@norfolk.gov.uk 7. Cyber security and introduction to Cyber Choices session for UK Education Staff Next session is: September 3rd 2024 This one hour webinar is designed and delivered by a former teacher to highlight basic cyber security advice that will help individuals improve their personal cyber security and by extension that of their school. The session will : Highlight current trends and provide actionable steps that attendees can take. Highlight nationally approved resources like those created for the education sector by the National Cyber Security Centre. Introduce the National Crime Agency's Cyber Choices Programme. Highlight free local and national Police resources that can support the school further in this area. This event is free and you can book your ticket via - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ersou/1041685. In one session alone last year there were over 195 attendees!

School ICT News Bulletin No. 325 - 16/07/2024

Published by ICT Solutions

eBulletin Items

Reminder for sites using Groupcall xporter
MIS contracts - does yours expire in March 2025?
Important information: A reminder to remain vigilant
Powering off core network equipment over the Summer holiday period
Feedback required - Are you interested in a Lego league event in 2025?
ICT Equipment Purchasing Portal Available
Cyber security and introduction to Cyber Choices session for UK Education Staff

1. Reminder for sites using Groupcall xporter

** The below only applies to schools/academies using Groupcall xporter (typically installed on the server) and will be used for attendance data and NSIX account creations/modifications **

Groupcall continually monitor the data feed connection between your site's MIS and their central servers.

With the Summer break approaching we would like to advise that if you are looking to undertake any maintenance work on your network that might impact the connectivity between your MIS database and their central servers could you please inform us before the Summer holiday period. Such maintenance work might include:

Changing Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Upgrading or replacing your existing server
Changing MIS provider

For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk

2. MIS contracts - does yours expire in March 2025?

Are you one of the many schools whose MIS (Management Information System) renewal is due in March 2025? Whilst it might seem quite a way off, once you factor in cease notification timescales required, it isn’t. If you are thinking of changing provider, you need to give yourself enough time to look at the market and see what’s available to meet your needs.

As a reminder, we are accredited to support the following MIS platforms:

Arbor *
Bromcom
ESS SIMS

* We do also currently support Integris and Scholarpack, part of the same group as Arbor. Arbor is the MIS that will be promoted moving forward, as it has greater functionality than the other two.

If you are interested in coming to us for your MIS support, we can liaise with the suppliers to put on webinars, as we have done previously.

For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk

3. Important information: A reminder to remain vigilant

Recently, we have seen successful phishing attacks at a number Norfolk schools and we would like to remind you to remain vigilant over the Summer holiday period. Cyber security is in the news frequently and there have been a number of high-profile cyber incidents/attacks throughout the UK, the most recent affecting the NHS last month.

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.

It 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. These types of 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!

4. 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 Rydal/Schools Broadband 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 inforrmation, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk

5. Feedback required - Are you interested in a Lego league event in 2025?

Norfolk County Council, together with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), are interested in finding out if there is demand for a Lego League event in Norfolk in Spring 2025.

This year the nearest event took place in Ipswich, and we would like to know if there is enough interest to host an event in Norfolk.

FIRST® LEGO® League is an inspiring robotics programme for young people, which develops confidence, problem solving, teamwork and STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills through LEGO play. Learning is focused around an annual theme which provides real world context showcasing future careers for students to aspire to. Key Impact areas of the FIRST LEGO League on students are:

Inspiring students in areas of high deprivation
Addressing behavioural issues through STEM enthusiasm
Helping provide focus for students with special educational needs.
Demonstrating STEM career pathways for young people, especially girls.
Building interpersonal and transferable skills

The programme is broken down into 3 age groups. For a more detailed overview please watch the relevant video for your age group linked below:

Ages 4 – 6 : FIRST LEGO League Discover overview: https://youtu.be/Roa7kz1sIJg
Ages 6 – 9 : FIRST LEGO League Explore: https://youtu.be/Fegi-9Qdw2Y
Ages 9 – 16 : FIRST LEGO League Challenge: https://youtu.be/80GxkUYIou0

Further details of the programme, including costs can be found on the IET website - https://education.theiet.org/first-lego-league-programmes.

If you are interested in registering your school, or finding out more information please complete this MS form - https://forms.office.com/e/mmtFP5rnFf

6. ICT Equipment Purchasing Portal Available

Are you aware that we have a purchasing portal available to request quotes and procure ICT equipment?

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 the portal has been created in collaboration with 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 portal, please contact us via email - ictcontractsteam@norfolk.gov.uk

7. Cyber security and introduction to Cyber Choices session for UK Education Staff

Next session is: September 3rd 2024

This one hour webinar is designed and delivered by a former teacher to highlight basic cyber security advice that will help individuals improve their personal cyber security and by extension that of their school.

The session will :

Highlight current trends and provide actionable steps that attendees can take.
Highlight nationally approved resources like those created for the education sector by the National Cyber Security Centre.
Introduce the National Crime Agency's Cyber Choices Programme.
Highlight free local and national Police resources that can support the school further in this area.

This event is free and you can book your ticket via - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ersou/1041685. In one session alone last year there were over 195 attendees!