School ICT News Bulletin No. 340 - 22/06/2026 Published by ICT Solutions eBulletin Items A reminder to remain vigilant when checking emails Powering off core network equipment over the summer holiday period NAACE ERF - Getting Started with the EdTech Review Framework ICT Solutions Academy contracts New Cyber Security Hub issued by DfE Important information - Supply issues affecting some IT quotations 1. A reminder to remain vigilant when checking emails We would like to remind you to remain vigilant when checking emails. Cyber security is frequently in the news and there have been a number of high-profile ones in recent months impacting large companies, schools and councils. 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. During the past two weeks, we saw schools compromised, following emails sent by schools in Norfolk, Kent and Lancashire, which in turn led to a fake Microsoft log in page. Typically they are sent with an attachment and have a finance theme. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s usually because it isn’t. Please think before you click! 2. 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, Rydal and Schools Broadband and turning off the power results in false alarms. This could potentially result in you incurring a charge for an engineer visit. Please can we also kindly ask those schools who house LoRaWAN gateways to leave these powered on over the holidays, as they serve the community. If there is no alternative to powering off the 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 3. NAACE ERF - Getting Started with the EdTech Review Framework When Wednesday, July 1^st, 11:00 - 12:00 Overview This online event, delivered by NAACE in collaboration with Norfolk County Council ICT Solutions, focuses on supporting schools and education leaders to begin using the EdTech Review Framework (ERF). The session introduces participants to the framework and its role in improving the use of technology across teaching, learning, and leadership. Key Objectives Understand the purpose and structure of the NAACE EdTech Review Framework (ERF). Explore how the ERF supports strategic planning and digital maturity in schools. Gain practical guidance on getting started with the framework. Identify next steps for embedding EdTech into teaching and organisational strategy. About the EdTech Review Framework (ERF) The NAACE EdTech Review Framework is a maturity model designed to help schools assess their current use of technology, plan improvements, and track progress over time. It helps schools understand their current position, plan next steps, and record progress across key areas of digital development. Benefits for Attendees Clear starting point for schools new to EdTech strategy planning. Practical insights into benchmarking and self-review processes. Improved understanding of how to align technology with educational outcomes. Support for long-term digital transformation and improvement planning. Intended Audience School leaders, IT leads, digital strategy managers, and educators responsible for developing or implementing EdTech strategies. To Register https://www.eventbrite.com/e/naace-erf-getting-started-with-using-the-edtech-review-framework-tickets-1991561796946?aff=oddtdtcreator 4. ICT Solutions Academy contracts We have commenced sending the renewal contracts to Academies for 2026-27. These will be sent via email with a link to our Client Portal and will not appear on SLA Online. For any new or change of contract quotes, please email ict@norfolk.gov.uk with your request. 5. New Cyber Security Hub issued by DfE The DfE have recently issued a new guide on what you need to know and do to strengthen your school's cyber security. The information is for early years, primary and secondary schools in England. The link is as follows - https://cyber-security-hub.education.gov.uk/ 6. Important information - Supply issues affecting some IT quotations We would like to share an important update regarding the current global component supply environment and how it may impact quotations for certain IT equipment, like desktops and laptops, for example. The technology sector is experiencing broad global constraints across several critical components, most notably memory and certain processor categories. These conditions are being driven by unprecedented demand from large-scale AI infrastructure deployments, combined with supply-side limitations, geopolitical factors, and ongoing shifts in semiconductor manufacturing capacity. This situation is affecting all major OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and customers worldwide across both client and infrastructure portfolios. At the same time, supplier pricing for these components continues to increase rapidly as industry demand exceeds available capacity. Industry analysts indicate that pricing pressures are expected to continue in the coming quarters as these conditions persist. For example, analysts forecast that global memory chip prices could rise by 40–50% in the first quarter of 2026, with further increases likely in the second quarter. Price increases are also expected from CPU (Central Processing Unit) suppliers. As a result, the availability of certain components and system configurations is less predictable than in the past, and pricing for systems containing these components continues to adjust in line with ongoing supplier cost increases. What this means is: • Some configurations may experience extended lead times or limited availability due to component allocation constraints • Previously accepted configurations or orders may need to be revisited where component allocation cannot be secured • Pricing for systems containing constrained components may require adjustment to reflect the current supplier cost environment • Where possible, we may propose alternative configurations where supply confidence is significantly higher • Quote, bid, and contract validity periods will be shortened to reflect the pace at which component pricing and availability are changing across the industry We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but the situation is outside of our control. For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk

School ICT News Bulletin No. 340 - 22/06/2026

Published by ICT Solutions

eBulletin Items

A reminder to remain vigilant when checking emails
Powering off core network equipment over the summer holiday period
NAACE ERF - Getting Started with the EdTech Review Framework
ICT Solutions Academy contracts
New Cyber Security Hub issued by DfE
Important information - Supply issues affecting some IT quotations

1. A reminder to remain vigilant when checking emails

We would like to remind you to remain vigilant when checking emails. Cyber security is frequently in the news and there have been a number of high-profile ones in recent months impacting large companies, schools and councils.

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. During the past two weeks, we saw schools compromised, following emails sent by schools in Norfolk, Kent and Lancashire, which in turn led to a fake Microsoft log in page. Typically they are sent with an attachment and have a finance theme.

If something doesn’t feel right, it’s usually because it isn’t. Please think before you click!

2. 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, Rydal and Schools Broadband and turning off the power results in false alarms. This could potentially result in you incurring a charge for an engineer visit.

Please can we also kindly ask those schools who house LoRaWAN gateways to leave these powered on over the holidays, as they serve the community.

If there is no alternative to powering off the 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

3. NAACE ERF - Getting Started with the EdTech Review Framework

When

Wednesday, July 1^st, 11:00 - 12:00

Overview

This online event, delivered by NAACE in collaboration with Norfolk County Council ICT Solutions, focuses on supporting schools and education leaders to begin using the EdTech Review Framework (ERF). The session introduces participants to the framework and its role in improving the use of technology across teaching, learning, and leadership.

Key Objectives

Understand the purpose and structure of the NAACE EdTech Review Framework (ERF).

Explore how the ERF supports strategic planning and digital maturity in schools.

Gain practical guidance on getting started with the framework.

Identify next steps for embedding EdTech into teaching and organisational strategy.

About the EdTech Review Framework (ERF)

The NAACE EdTech Review Framework is a maturity model designed to help schools assess their current use of technology, plan improvements, and track progress over time. It helps schools understand their current position, plan next steps, and record progress across key areas of digital development.

Benefits for Attendees

Clear starting point for schools new to EdTech strategy planning.

Practical insights into benchmarking and self-review processes.

Improved understanding of how to align technology with educational outcomes.

Support for long-term digital transformation and improvement planning.

Intended Audience

School leaders, IT leads, digital strategy managers, and educators responsible for developing or implementing EdTech strategies.

To Register

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/naace-erf-getting-started-with-using-the-edtech-review-framework-tickets-1991561796946?aff=oddtdtcreator

4. ICT Solutions Academy contracts

We have commenced sending the renewal contracts to Academies for 2026-27. These will be sent via email with a link to our Client Portal and will not appear on SLA Online.

For any new or change of contract quotes, please email ict@norfolk.gov.uk with your request.

5. New Cyber Security Hub issued by DfE

The DfE have recently issued a new guide on what you need to know and do to strengthen your school's cyber security. The information is for early years, primary and secondary schools in England.

The link is as follows - https://cyber-security-hub.education.gov.uk/

6. Important information - Supply issues affecting some IT quotations

We would like to share an important update regarding the current global component supply environment and how it may impact quotations for certain IT equipment, like desktops and laptops, for example.

The technology sector is experiencing broad global constraints across several critical components, most notably memory and certain processor categories. These conditions are being driven by unprecedented demand from large-scale AI infrastructure deployments, combined with supply-side limitations, geopolitical factors, and ongoing shifts in semiconductor manufacturing capacity. This situation is affecting all major OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and customers worldwide across both client and infrastructure portfolios.

At the same time, supplier pricing for these components continues to increase rapidly as industry demand exceeds available capacity. Industry analysts indicate that pricing pressures are expected to continue in the coming quarters as these conditions persist. For example, analysts forecast that global memory chip prices could rise by 40–50% in the first quarter of 2026, with further increases likely in the second quarter. Price increases are also expected from CPU (Central Processing Unit) suppliers.

As a result, the availability of certain components and system configurations is less predictable than in the past, and pricing for systems containing these components continues to adjust in line with ongoing supplier cost increases.

What this means is:

• Some configurations may experience extended lead times or limited availability due to component allocation constraints
• Previously accepted configurations or orders may need to be revisited where component allocation cannot be secured
• Pricing for systems containing constrained components may require adjustment to reflect the current supplier cost environment
• Where possible, we may propose alternative configurations where supply confidence is significantly higher
• Quote, bid, and contract validity periods will be shortened to reflect the pace at which component pricing and availability are changing across the industry

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but the situation is outside of our control.