WEYBURN - An ever-evolving world of cyber systems, sense and security remains near the top of the priority lists for the South East Cornerstone Public School Division (SECPSD).
Keeping the governing body of that division apprised of the latest developments on those topics became the task for Brian Belinsky, manager of information systems for SECPSD, who spoke to the board of trustees on Dec. 15 during their regular monthly open business session.
Now in his ninth year as that sector’s manager, Belinsky began the personal and visual presentation by reminding the board members of the department’s values and goals. He said the team members meet on a monthly basis and are in communication on a regular basis as they provide support systems for the 38 schools and supporting facilities.
As in other professions lately, there have been some issues with supply shortages, but nothing serious enough to compromise security systems, he said.
Meeting school technology requests remains at the top of their to-do lists, he suggested, while introducing the board to the IS team of 12 cyber skilled delivery technicians.
Besides supporting the school educational systems, they also review software needs that include such items as online registrations, attendance reports and a host of other technology requests that arrive on a regular basis.
The team provides basic online tools for the finance and directory services teams, plus security filtering, policy construction, emails, help desks and backup for all inputs on a 15-minute basis.
Phones, bells and paging services are part of the team’s mandate of providing networking management.
Belinsky spoke about providing first-line defences in terms of network security to block such things as phishing and malware explorations and how they continue to urge staff members to change their passwords every 90 days to discourage unwanted breaches in security.
He noted that security system vendors have been invited “to provide training of whole programs for staff so they’ll know what not to click in.”
Network management is a significant part of the team’s duties to not only provide but also monitor. He noted only Lyndale School in Oungre is struggling with limited access to all services but with the arrival of a transmitter dish and relay tower being erected near Tribune, they too should soon have updated services.
Determining specific school needs is part of the overall scope for the IS team.
The division wide upgrading is partially completed, he said and the communication infrastructure only went sideways in one school, and that was corrected within three days with the service provider able to pin point the problem after a careful search and positive response to the division’s request.
With students bringing various and sundry devices into the schools now, there was a need to change that system to clear space so that “the next person who can’t get in, can now get in,” he said.
Most equipment needed is now available, Belinsky added and there were some delays, but they were not extensive.
Whether it is installation of software, hardware or updates or the need to troubleshoot or repair systems, the SECPSD information systems team is on constant call. They also provide additional services when called upon to assist such school related activities like science fairs, school clubs, student support programs and mentoring sessions.
The 45-minute session concluded with a few questions from board members and a vote of thanks from chairwoman Audrey Trombley on the board’s behalf.
