The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine Learning Through Technology Initiative (MLTI) 2.0 program recently engaged ten Maine school administrative units (SAUs) in a cohort to explore relevant cybersecurity topics. The cohort was comprised of both small and large school SAUs from the northern tip of Maine to the southern coast. Participating were technology directors and network administrators; the group met biweekly for four months and will culminate with a panel discussion at this year’s annual ACTEM Spring Leadership Conference at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland on May 1st.
“This program has been extremely helpful as we all try and find our way in the new responsibilities that we find necessary to protect our school districts. Most of us are learning as we go in the world of cybersecurity and protecting our school district’s data and networks.” – Shields Up Maine! participant
The Shields Up Maine! cohort focused on CISA recommendations for education (see graphic) and covered topics that include the National Cybersecurity Review (NCRS), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security K12 Best Practices (CISA’s CSA), Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS -ISAC), the Center for Internet Security (CIS) services, CISA’s- Protecting Our Future Report, Maine School Library Network/Network
Maine (MSLN/NWM) Internet Service Provider (ISP) history and NWM Umbrella Services, Legalities of Information Technology, Maine Government CISO Best Practices, and Incident Response Plan (IRP) Training.
The group vetted various federal resources and services, studying the practicality, affordability, and potential implementation methods of evolving services.
Participating schools in the 2023 cohort include Searsport, Yarmouth, Mount Desert Island, Glenburn, Boothbay Harbor, Fayette, Madawaska, Blue Hill, Standish, and Medomak Valley.
“Shields Up Maine! is a great example of how the DOE has listened to Technology Directors…to connect them with security professionals to better protect Maine schools from cyber-attacks.” Shields Up Maine! participant
For more information about Shields Up Maine! and other infrastructure initiatives, please check out our website. Have questions? Want to learn more? Reach out to MLTI’s Infrastructure Specialist,
Jim Chasses at james.chasse@maine.gov