Page 14 - TIM_08-15-24

ANTI-PHISHING EDUCATION

The District will be sending simulated phishing emails as part of its annual
Security Awareness training program. This training method is used to assist
in creating a 24/7/365 approach to cyber readiness and vigilance when using
District resources. It is not intended to “get” users but to provide training
opportunities for staff to mitigate District risk.

Simulated phishing campaigns conducted by IT Security are critical for enhancing
our cyber defenses. These controlled exercises involve sending mock phishing
emails to employees to gauge their response and awareness. By simulating
real-world phishing attempts, we can identify vulnerabilities and measure the
effectiveness of the IT Security Awareness training program. Employees learn
to recognize and report suspicious emails, thereby reducing the risk of falling
for actual phishing attacks. The data collected from these simulations helps
tailor future training sessions and reinforces a culture of vigilance. Ultimately,
these exercises play a vital role in preventing data breaches and enhancing
overall cybersecurity posture.
PEN TEST REMEDIATION

Annual penetration tests (pen tests) are crucial for maintaining an organization’s
cybersecurity. These tests involve ethical hackers simulating attacks to identify
vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and applications. Conducting pen tests
annually ensures that any new vulnerabilities introduced by updates, new
technologies, or changes in the IT environment are promptly identified and
mitigated. Regular testing helps organizations stay ahead of evolving threats,
comply with industry regulations, and protect sensitive data from potential
breaches. By uncovering and addressing security weaknesses proactively,
annual pen tests enhance an organization’s overall security posture and
resilience against cyberattacks.

The District has completed its annual pen test and will be remediating any
issues found in the coming months. We ask stakeholders to remain flexible in
working with IT Security to further secure the District’s resources.
CLOUD-BASED

DISASTER RECOVERY

Disaster Recovery (DR) is critical for ensuring business continuity despite
unexpected events such as natural disasters, cyberattacks, or system failures.
It involves creating strategies to restore critical systems, data, and operations
swiftly and efficiently. Moving to the cloud enhances disaster recovery
capabilities by offering robust, scalable, and cost-effective solutions. Cloud
providers offer automated backups, high availability, and rapid data recovery
options, reducing downtime, and data loss.

Additionally, cloud-based disaster recovery solutions are often more flexible and
quicker to deploy than traditional on-premises systems, enabling organizations
to recover more efficiently and maintain operational resilience in the event of a
disaster. This is why the District is moving its DR strategy to the cloud.
Page 14
Page 14