Mike Smith
Director & Founder ｜SolarNet
UK
UK
Webinar Event Free Live Webinar: Protect Your Organisation: Cybersecurity Essentials for the Education Sector
Calling all IT/Network Managers, Technicians, School Administrators, and Education Leaders!
KDDI Europe and SolarNet are delighted to announce a free live webinar series designed to help you safeguard your organisation and strengthen Cybersecurity. In an era where cyber incidents are rapidly increasing, having a robust Cybersecurity strategy in place is more important than ever. This is particularly critical for the education sector, which has become a prime target for cyber criminals. Schools, trusts, colleges, and universities hold vast amounts of sensitive student data, making them particularly vulnerable to attacks.
The Growing Threat of Cyber Incidents in Education...
The education sector has seen a significant rise in cyber attacks over recent years, with educational institutions increasingly becoming targets for malicious actors. From ransomware attacks that disrupt entire networks to data breaches exposing sensitive student information, the impact can be severe.
Whether through phishing, malware, or exploiting outdated systems, these attacks not only disrupt learning but also put students' personal data - such as names, addresses, health records, and financial information - at serious risk.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Our free webinars delivered by the experts will guide you step-by-step through the process of strengthening your organisation’s Cybersecurity defences. From understanding core principles to implementing practical solutions, our sessions are designed for anyone involved in IT or Cybersecurity within the education sector. Whether you're an IT Directors, Network Manager, Technicians employed by schools, trusts, colleges and universities, or someone responsible for managing school systems, this series is tailored to provide you with valuable insights and actionable steps.
Here’s what you can expect:
- A detailed overview of essential Cybersecurity frameworks
This includes NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), designed specifically for the education sector. - Practical steps for implementation
You will have advices on how to apply these frameworks to protect your school or university from increasing cyber threats. - Guidance on achieving critical Cybersecurity certifications
Such as Cyber Essentials, and ensuring compliance with the Department for Education’s Cybersecurity standards.
And that’s not all! You’ll also receive exclusive access to a downloadable guide created specifically for education professionals. This resource will equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to establish a strong Cybersecurity foundation within your organisation.
Outline of the Event
| Webinar 1 | Understanding the Foundations of Cybersecurity | Date: 12 Nov 2024 Time: 3:30-4:30pm |
| Webinar 2 | Govern the Gates to Gain Clear Identification of Cyber Threats | Date: 14 Jan 2025 Time: *TBC |
| Webinar 3 | Safeguarding Education Through Advanced Detection and Protection | Date: Mar 2025 (TBC) Time: *TBC |
| Webinar 4 | Responding to and Recovering from Cyber Incidents | Date: May 2025 (TBC) Time: *TBC |
| Organiser | KDDI Europe & SolarNet | |
| Webinar URL | You will receive the URL to join the webinar a few days before each webinar. | |
* Most selected 1-hour slot will be chosen (An update email will be sent to all attendees)
Speaker
Shintaro Takeda
Chief Security Officer & Strategy Development Director ｜KDDI Europe
Shintaro is the Chief Security Officer and Strategy Development Director at KDDI Europe, overseeing strategic service development, marketing, cybersecurity, and digital transformation (DX). With a Master’s Degree in Engineering, he has spent 23 years at KDDI Europe, contributing to information security, operations, international voice communication technology, video technology, in-house IT, business continuity, and personal data protection.
Mike Smith is the founder and director of SolarNet Communications Ltd, established in 2006. With over 20 years of experience in software development, network, and cybersecurity, he holds a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science from Coventry University, where he won the RM Footit Memorial Prize for his voice recognition project. Mike’s expertise spans software development, business automation, and cybersecurity, helping clients solve complex challenges and optimize their security investments through long-term partnerships.