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Directors Update

CNYRIC Welcomes New Assistant Director

We’re pleased to announce the hiring of a new Assistant Director for Educational Information Services, Alexandra Ackerman. Alex joins the CNYRIC after having served as the administrator for managed technology services at the Broome-Tioga BOCES South Central Regional Information Center (SCRIC), where she was the acting director of technology for the Binghamton City School District, while also advising the district on utilizing SCRIC services in an effective, student-forward manner. Alex will be overseeing the Educational Data Services, Test Scoring, Food Services, and E-communication departments within the CNYRIC.

Lastly, we have added a resource to the CNYRIC website to access past newsletters. If you'd like to look over ongoing topics or seek out other resources, please check out the Director’s Update newsletter archives. 

PROVIDE LEADERSHIP, ASSISTANCE, AND RESOURCES TO ENHANCE DISTRICTS’ SECURITY POSTURE IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND STATE PRIORITIES

The Center for Internet Security (CIS) is encouraging some centers to purchase the MS-ISAC membership. The RIC Directors associated with this work have been diligent in following up, and we believe the MS-ISAC is trying to work through some logistics related to our state membership. Districts will still retain access to necessary security resources while this process is underway, and no action is required at this time.

As part of its work toward enhancing cyber protection for the region, the CNYRIC is piloting its ability to utilize the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog to provide proactive threat hunting for districts in which Crowdstrike EDR telemetry is available to the CNYRIC. Earlier this month, notices were sent to DPO’s and DOT’s of districts that utilize Crowdstrike EDR agents for identifying assets that were still vulnerable to critical vulnerability CVE-2025-33073, which was being actively exploited by attackers.

PROVIDE LEADERSHIP, ASSISTANCE, AND RESOURCES TO ENHANCE DISTRICTS’ TECHNOLOGY ECOSYSTEMS IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND STATE PRIORITIES

Districts are required to complete the 2026-2029 Instructional Technology Plan (ITP) Survey within the SED monitoring and Vendor Reporting System. We encourage districts to collaborate with both BOCES Model Schools and the CNYRIC for support, and the CNYRIC will review submissions before they're sent to NYSED.

Please note that the CNYRIC's internal due date is April 1, 2026, to allow for any necessary revisions ahead of the official NYSED deadline of June 30, 2026. The CNYRIC is ready to assist you! For support, please contact Enterprise Project Lead Andy Houck.

IN THIS SECTION, WE WILL PROVIDE SOME QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN DISCUSSING TECHNOLOGY WITH YOUR DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY.

With budget planning in full swing, this month introduces a set of questions on how the district is planning for information technology upgrades and equipment refreshes.

Q: How do we determine prioritization for IT infrastructure upgrades and equipment refreshes?

Guidance: This question tests if your tech plan is proactive and data-driven or reactive and chaotic. You are checking their methodology.

Q: Is there any needed professional development for staff to allow them to use the new equipment effectively in their instruction?

Guidance: This question tests if your DoT understands that technology is a service, not just a product. The goal is adoption and impact, not just deployment.

Q: Are there new technologies that we should embrace that will provide efficiencies and enhancements to providing staff and students a better experience?

Guidance: This question tests if your DoT is a strategic partner and innovator, not just a "keeper of the keys." You want them to be looking at the horizon.