IT Crisis Preparedness
District's technology programs have grown to touch virtually every aspect of activities in modern-day schools, including teaching and learning, data-tracking and record-keeping, internal and external communications, and more. Recent events in our country such as Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, the tragedy at Virginia Tech, and wildfires in California have illustrated the need for school technology leaders to be actively involved in crisis preparedness to ensure student safety and business continuity.
The IT Crisis Preparedness Leadership Initiative addresses a district's overall business continuity planning and the accompanying response structure. Specifically, the leadership initiative will focus on the role of technology leaders, identifying best practices and developing strategies for shutdown and start up of critical services.
Disaster Recovery Planning is an ongoing process that requires detailed planning and preparation prior to an event, and then setting the groundwork for understanding the process of responding and recovery.
The summer of 2008 was filled with many disasters. Floods in the Midwest, hurricanes in the gulf area, and tornadoes in several states are samples of what many educators faced as they returned to school. CoSN developed a 10 Step Technology Recovery Checklist to share with IT leaders as they address their individual response and recovery. This letter was sent to schools throughout the country to share resources and suggestions for dealing with the various disasters. Please use this information as part of your own Disaster Planning Process.
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