DPO Download

Episode 37 - 2026 RIC one DPSS Conference

Join our hosts live at the 2026 RIC one Data Privacy and Security Conference. Listen as we hit the conference floor to catch up with district leaders and IT experts, diving deep into the breakthrough insights and "aha" moments they’re taking back to their schools.

Episode 36 - Navigating AI Guidelines and Launching a Cybersecurity Academy

In this episode of the DPO Download our hosts speak with Eric Coronado, Director of Technology for the Suffern Central School District, to explore how his district is embracing cutting-edge technological initiatives. Eric shares how his team proactively addressed the rapid rise of artificial intelligence by collaborating with teachers to create a "green, yellow, and red light" framework for AI tools, ensuring a delicate balance between classroom innovation and strict student data privacy. Additionally, he details the launch of a pioneering three-year cybersecurity academy at Suffern High School.

Episode 35 - Beyond the Silos: How HR and IT Collaboration Revolutionized District Security

In this episode, our hosts sit down with leadership from the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District—Superintendent Patrick McGrath, Director of Technology Doug Carlton, and Assistant Director of Technology Michael Steinberg. They discuss the district’s strategic shift toward a unified vernacular across departments, a move that enabled the implementation of automated user provisioning reaching all the way to the physical security layer. Listen as we explore how the district successfully leveraged administrative regulations and a culture of shared decision-making to streamline onboarding processes. By reducing IT overhead and enhancing data privacy in alignment with NIST 2.0 standards, this team provides a roadmap for modernizing school district operations.

Episode 34 - Cybersecurity as a Team Sport: Governance, Response, and Strategic Planning for K12 Schools

On this episode we welcome former Chief Information Officer at Pittsford Central School District Dr. Jeff Cimmerer to the podcast. Listen as Dr. Cimmerer speaks about how cybersecurity is very much a team sport. Learn how using common nomenclature can help reach a variety of stakeholders within your district.

Episode 33 - School Year Readiness, and Collaboration

This episode we are joined by Data Protection Officers Brian Zimmer of Webster CSD, John Miller of Honeoye Falls-Lima CSD, along with Dan Fullerton of Monroe Regional Information Center (RIC) to speak about the opening of a new school year. Listen as we discuss how collaboration plays a critical role among the Monroe RIC region by emphasizing standardized practices, shared hardware, and mutual support so no one goes at it alone.