Technology Management & Strategy
Be Connected
Connect. Learn. Lead. A bi-weekly networking series for K-12 tech teams.
Networking
Relevant Learning for K-12 IT Staff
Be Connected is a virtual networking series designed to spark meaningful conversations and collaboration within Illinois’ K–12 technology community.
Hosted by the Learning Technology Center’s Technology Services team, each free session centers around a timely and relevant topic, ranging from infrastructure planning and cybersecurity to emerging tools, networking strategies, and day-to-day IT challenges.
These sessions are informal yet purposeful, offering a relaxed and supportive environment where participants can ask questions, share experiences, and learn from one another.
In addition to open discussion, we regularly feature guest speakers from the field, including district leaders, industry professionals, and subject-matter experts who bring practical insights and innovative solutions. Whether you’re exploring new technologies or tackling persistent issues, these voices offer fresh perspectives your team can count on.
Every session is a new opportunity to:
- Engage with peers from across the state
- Explore a focused topic relevant to your work
- Gain insight from experienced professionals
- Ask questions and crowdsource solutions
Join us every other week and be part of the conversation around supporting and safeguarding today’s tech-powered schools.
Upcoming
Events
Be Connected: Penetration Testing
| Free
Tune in to explore why resilient K-12 defenses require both external perimeter testing (to block outside intruders) and internal testing (to simulate what happens after a credential is lost or a device is compromised).
Eric Muckensturm
IT Strategy Manager, Cybersecurity, Learning Technology Center
Be Connected: Vulnerability Scans with CISA
| Free
Special guest Tony Collings, Cybersecurity State Coordinator, joins the conversation to share how CISA’s no-cost Cyber Hygiene Services, including weekly scans and reports, help K-12 districts monitor their internet-facing assets.
Eric Muckensturm
IT Strategy Manager, Cybersecurity, Learning Technology Center
Be Connected: Physical Inventory
| Free
You cannot protect what you don’t know you have. Grab your inventory list and tune as we discuss strategies for keeping this “living document” and critical security tool up-to-date in the face of constant hardware moves and additions.
Eric Muckensturm
IT Strategy Manager, Cybersecurity, Learning Technology Center
Be Connected: Patch Management
| Free
There’s a better way to patch! Let’s dig into how your district can shift from reactive clicking to a structured lifecycle of testing and deploying updates across servers, workstations, and network firmware.
Eric Muckensturm
IT Strategy Manager, Cybersecurity, Learning Technology Center
Be Connected: Physical Network Security
| Free
A strong firewall can’t do much if someone has unauthorized access to your server room or a network jack. Learn how to lock out that vulnerability by “locking and logging” IDF closets and disabling unused wall ports.
Eric Muckensturm
IT Strategy Manager, Cybersecurity, Learning Technology Center