Building Strong EdTech Partnerships & Creating a Cybersecurity Culture in Schools with Jeff McCoy | FETC 2025 Series

Zero Breach Zone

Welcome to episode 13 of the Zero Breach Zone! In this episode hosts Phil Hintz and Andy Lombardo speak with Jeff McCoy, Associate Superintendent for Academics in Greenville County, South Carolina. Drawing from his 25+ years in education, Jeff discusses the integration of technology in schools, emphasizing the distinction between vendors and solution partners. The conversation highlights cybersecurity as a shared responsibility across all departments, not just technology. Jeff stresses that security training should be continuous rather than annual, using short, clear communications. The discussion covers how data breaches often involve academic software, the importance of evaluating vendors' security practices, and the need for transparency with AI implementation in education. Jeff emphasizes that technology should ultimately enhance teaching and learning, requiring proper change management and cross-departmental collaboration. As this weeks Parting Tool, Jeff highlights the crucial role of 1EdTech, a global non-profit that develops open standards to reduce complexity, accelerate innovation, and expand educational possibilities worldwide.

Key Takeaways:
- Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility across all departments, not just technology
- Distinguish between vendors (who sell products) and solution partners (who address needs)
- Cybersecurity training should be continuous, using short, clear communications
- Data breaches frequently involve academic software, not just administrative systems
- Multi-factor authentication is essential for protecting school systems
- Vendors must be evaluated for their cybersecurity practices and certifications
- AI in education requires transparency about data usage and privacy
- Technology should enhance teaching and learning, not complicate it
- 1EdTech provides valuable resources for vetting educational apps

Resources Mentioned:
- Multi-factor authentication solutions
- Greenville County Schools' cybersecurity protocols
- Educational technology evaluation frameworks
- Parting Tool: 1EdTech for vetting educational applications