2025DPSS

So, how bad could it be?  This engaging keynote session will cover the ins and outs of the August 2019 ransomware attack that impacted 23 local government entities across the state of Texas.  The Lone Star State responded in kind by activating the statewide incident response plan, which had been developed over the prior two years and spot-tested across a number of other incidents and exercises.  

You will hear the good, the bad, and the ugly on how the plan worked and how it was able to clean up this large-scale incident and get operations restored across the board in just 8 days for under $300,000, without paying any ransom. The takeaways will go beyond just what it’s like to respond to a large incident and will show how taking a holistic approach to security enables an organization to not just be more resilient but be better and more effective across the board.

Good morning, Cyber Guardians! As we kick off Day 2, grab your coffee and join us for an energizing morning briefing on the present and future of NYS K-12 data privacy and security. Our experts will unpack the biggest challenges districts face, discuss the evolving cybersecurity landscape, and share mission-critical strategies to protect student data.

Whether you're looking for fresh insights or a burst of inspiration to power through the final day, this session will set the tone for a future-ready approach to data protection.

With Louise DeCandia, Chief Privacy Officer of NYSED  
Crystal Wilson, Cyber State Coordinator from CISA  
Ramah Hawley, Director of The Education Cooperative's Student Data Privacy Alliance (TEC SDPA)
Linnette Attai, President of PlayWell, LLC 

Facilitated by Mike Doughty, Ed.D