May22Update_DPS Tech Plan 2021 - 2024

R O B U S T I N F R A S T R U C T U R E

The District offers a robust infrastructure, the essential foundation to supporting teaching and learning. Regular evaluation of all aspects of the District's infrastructure, based on best practices articulated by the Connecticut State Educational Technology Commission and ISTE, guide planning for improvement. Measurements such as the ISTE diagnostic tools provide specific indicators of successful technology infrastructures. This research-back framework of 14 critical elements serves to guide implementation of the ISTE standards and identify critical elements necessary to effectively leverage technology for learning. Cybersecurity The protection of the District's infrastructure and the data that resides on the network has been a top priority of the IT Department since the inception of the digital environment in 1998. All data on the network are backed up multiple times daily to multiple unique locations, ensuring the protection of data. The perimeter of the network is protected by industry leading firewalls that prevent unwanted visitors and hackers accessing District systems. Endpoints such as computers and servers are protected by next generation security software, which prevent malware and viruses from infecting devices. All end user devices are updated with the latest vendor security patches to ensure stability and safety. These industry best practices keep the network and its data safe and secure. As the computing landscape changes, staff continually receive cybersecurity training in various forms, such as videos and e-mails, in order to keep our network and data secure. An addendum for the District's cybersecurity plan is included in this document. Student Information System - ASPEN The District utilizes the Aspen Student Information System (SIS) as the centralized platform for hosting and managing student data. Aspen SIS safely and securely stores and tracks all student information, including grades, attendance, registrations, and transcripts. Aspen is available to all staff, parents, and students, and communicates relevant information to a student’s education. Aspen also provides student and class information to instructional websites and software, providing a single point of access for most digital instructional tools.

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