Author: Mark Salzer

Effective Monday, March 3, 2025, building assignments for our computer technicians will be adjusted to bring greater efficiency and responsiveness in our work. This change comes as a response to the feedback we have received from staff and analysis of our technology tickets. We expect there may be some challenges as our team transitions to their new building assignments, however, we believe these changes will result in faster response times and resolutions to technology issues. 

To assist us with providing you better service, we ask that all technology-related issues be submitted as a Technology Request in ML WorkOrders. We recognize that some staff may prefer to communicate directly with a technology staff member rather than submit a ticket. However, using the ticketing system allows us to effectively manage and respond to everyone’s needs, ensuring no requests are missed or delayed. We are continuously working to improve our technology request system, and we will soon be introducing self-service options that may help you resolve issues even before submitting a ticket.

As a reminder, you can submit a Technology Request ML WorkOrders by going to helpdesk.pccsk12.com or selecting Tech Request Form under the P-CCS Bookmarks folder in Chrome.

We look forward to better serving the needs of the P-CCS community.

As we continue to see a rise in various kinds of attempts to take advantage of our network, here again is a simple review of some of those ways being used. Bottom line, PLEASE STAY VIGILANT to STAY SAFE!

Social engineering is an attempt to trick an individual into revealing information or taking an action that can be used to attack systems or networks. Social mining is an attempt to gather information about the organization that may be used to support future attacks.

Examples of commonly used types of social engineering:

Phishing is a digital form of social engineering that uses authentic-looking emails to trick users into sharing personal information. It usually includes a link that takes the user to a fake website. If you cannot verify the source, do not open the link. Report suspicious messages to your IT team.

• Spear Phishing is a type of phishing where a specific user or group of users is targeted because of their position (such as a company’s administrators).
• Quishing, short for QR code phishing, is a type of phishing where a QR code is used to trick users into visiting malicious websites or downloading malware.

Social media exploitation is where the attacker uses information found on a user’s social media profiles to create a targeted phishing attack.

Pretexting and Impersonation is where the attacker creates a fictional backstory that is used to manipulate someone into providing private information or to influence behavior. Attackers will often impersonate a person of authority, co-worker, or trusted organization to engage in back-and-forth communication prior to launching a targeted spear phishing attack.

• Fake IT Support calls are a common form of impersonation where someone pretends to be an authorized user or administrator in an attempt to gain illicit access to protected data systems. The attacker has enough information to sound credible, and they ask the user for some bit of information that will allow the attacker to gain access to the desired system.

We hope you enjoy your winter break, arriving just eight days from now! Before you leave next Friday afternoon…

WOULD YOU PLEASE SECURE ALL VALUABLES in the classrooms and office spaces you inhabit. This includes laptops, document cameras, Apple TVs, remotes, and interactive pens.

Further, if it is equipment you handle, would you please make sure all iPads and Chromebooks are in their carts and those CARTS ARE LOCKED and plugged in before leaving.

Finally, would you please also POWER OFF any of the following equipment, if it is equipment you handle:

• projectors
• sound amps
• SmartBoards
• desktop computers
• monitors
• printers

THANK YOU for your cooperation.