ATLIS Conference 2025 - Cybersecurity Workshop
Your role at Burke’s
I’m the IT & Education Technology Manager, supporting both the tech infrastructure and the people who use it—from troubleshooting to training and everything in between.
When did this opportunity take place?
This workshop took place in April 2025 as part of a professional development series focused on cybersecurity in schools.
Summary of workshop/opportunity
I attended a Cybersecurity Workshop that dove into how schools can build a proactive, whole-community approach to digital safety. Topics included AI-enhanced phishing threats, the importance of everyday “cyber hygiene,” and how to move beyond fear-based training into more engaging, relatable methods. It was filled with real-world examples, hands-on ideas, and practical solutions that I could bring back to Burke’s.
Goals & Collaborations
One of my main goals was to gather strategies to strengthen our school’s cybersecurity culture—something that’s especially important as we manage more devices, data, and digital workflows. This workshop gave me a framework to work with faculty, staff, and even students on shared responsibility. It also sparked ideas for collaborative training sessions with other departments, where we can use gamified simulations instead of traditional presentations.
What were your big takeaways from your workshop or project?
Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT thing—it’s a whole-school thing.
Gamified, story-based training helps people actually remember what to do.
People need space to learn without fear. Encouraging “safe mistakes” in training builds confidence and retention.
Everyday habits (like leaving screens unlocked or using sticky notes for passwords) are some of our biggest vulnerabilities—but also our easiest wins.
AI is making phishing smarter, so our training has to evolve, too.
How does what you learned connect to your goals this year?
This directly supports my goal of improving digital safety and sustainable tech use across campus. I now have actionable steps to enhance training, refine our policies, and even build a team of “Cyber Champions” to help expand reach beyond IT.
How might this opportunity lead to collaboration with other faculty?
It opens the door to co-leading workshops, running simulations, or even developing department-specific mini-trainings. I’d love to work with teachers to bring cybersecurity into advisory, and with staff to customize best practices for their workflows.
How does this PD learning or experience impact your work?
This re-energized my approach to schoolwide tech training. It reminded me that people learn best when training is clear, human, and a little fun. I’m already thinking of building a recurring training cycle, and planning a few friendly simulations for common spaces like the lounge and copier rooms.
Would you recommend this opportunity? Why or why not?
Definitely! It was practical, current, and offered tools I can implement right away. Plus, it reinforced the idea that cybersecurity isn’t about scaring people—it’s about empowering them.
URL/Website
I love the ideas around gamifying the learning as well as getting to a point where faculty is collaborating to be a part of such trainings instead of just the learners. It's such important information and skills for not only work but for all aspects of life nowadays! Sounds like a great session!