The Staff Directory on school websites no longer shows staff emails, but instead allows a visitor to email that staff person. This keeps phishing bots from easily collecting email addresses. Beginning June 1, the district will require 2-Step Verification on ALL district Gmail accounts. In addition to your username and password, you'll enter a code that Google will send you via text or voice message, or with a pre-generated paper code upon signing in.
2-step verification is essential to web security because it immediately neutralizes the risks associated with compromised passwords. If a password is hacked, guessed, or even phished, that's no longer enough to give an intruder access: without approval at the second factor, a password alone is useless.
Kery Harrelson, Director of Technology, says “The district is hit by phishing attacks on a regular basis. The IT team is continually monitoring and working to contain these attacks through our security systems and protocols.”
He reminds staff why 2-step verification is important, “Hackers aren't after anyone's lesson plans or seating charts. They want personal bank information and social security numbers. Don't do it for us, do it for you.”
You do not have to wait until June 1. Turn on 2-step verification now to protect your vital information.