Cybersecurity Training
Energize Your Security Posture
Curriculum Resources
WHY DID WE CREATE exPANDAbilities?
exPANDing Your Knowledge in Security with Panda Power!
Welcome to exPANDAbilities! Our PandaTeam was formed in 2017 and consists of cybersecurity and K12 experts to help you keep your distirct safe. After a survey to tech directors in 2023, we determined it would be best to form a consortium to help tech directors work together, specifically on cyber and physical security. The results of a survey were astonishing and concerning so it's time we work together to share our knowledge and build a strong security posture in our schools. Many of us use the same tools, software, and don't have the funding resources needed. By working togheter, we can joint purchase, share licensese, and empower vendors to work with us in a partnership.
Our only focus is to help Tech Directors and technology departments in K12 to build a stronger Cybersecurity and Physical Security stance. With our focus on faculty development, expanding knowledge, and awareness we can help tech directors increase awareness with their Superintendent's and Boards. This is a TEAM effort!
In 2023, our Project Manager (PandaDave) conducted a comprehensive survey among Illinois Tech Directors to assess their specific needs in the areas of cyber and physical security. The survey results have been compiled, and they reveal some concerning trends. It is crucial for us to collaborate, work together, and exchange knowledge in order to address these challenges effectively. With the insights gathered from our comprehensive survey conducted by our Project Manager (PandaDave) in 2023, we have identified specific needs of Illinois Tech Directors in the areas of cyber and physical security.
WHAT DO WE DO?
CCRE Audits, PenTesting, and More!
When it comes to serving your school district, the PandaTeam is ready to provide a wide range of services. We specialize in offering expert advice, connecting you with experienced professionals, guiding you in the right direction, attending conferences and sharing valuable information, and assisting you in strengthening your district's cyber security posture. Have an idea? Let us know. We're just getting this Panda Party started!
We can also assist with providing evidence, opinions, and best practices for your Superitendent and Board to undrestand the importance of cybersecurity. This is a challenge for many districts and we're here to help in any way we can.
Who can exPANDAbilites Help?
We are here to help K12 technology directors, students, any Administrators understand Cybersecurity!
As cybersecurity incidents continue to hit schools, it is becoming critical that academic leadership understands cybersecurity as a whole and how it can directly impact a school district. When our leadership is lacking cybersecurity knowledge, this trickles down to the teachers and students. To have educators successfully teaching cybersecurity, our leaders (administrators, principals, and IT staff) need to have a basic understanding of cybersecurity. Without this core understanding at the top level, it will never be successful in the classroom environment. Since cybersecurity isn’t just a curriculum that we have to teach to align with a standard, it impacts the entire organization. If our top level understands cybersecurity, then our teachers can as well, and share with our students.
Everyone in the organization needs to have a mindset of cybersecurity and be given the opportunity to build the confidence to have some level of understanding. By everyone having the understanding, it creates a culture of keeping our data, our digital footprints, and infrastructure safe.
HOW IS exPANDAbilities FUNDED?
Arbor Park School District 145 in Oak Forest, IL is the home of exPANDAbilities. Just like our inter-governmental agreements for special education, transportation, and finance, we are applying the same model to cybersecurity. By doing so, we can reduce costs, put pressure on vendors for the best pricing, and even enable shared licenses in certain cases. All funding will be used to support this initiative and cover costs associated with this consortium. All invoices, payments, and fees will go through APSD145.
OUR PARTNERS
