From CDW

Many of our customers have been affected by the critical zero-day Apache Log4j (versions 2.0.1 to 2.14.1) vulnerability announced earlier this month.

The Log4j vulnerability is both a security issue and an application issue. Understanding the impacts that this exploit could have on your organization can be quite challenging for many, especially since the Log4j open-source library is used by countless applications, packages, frameworks, open-source projects and software products – whether off-the-shelf, SaaS delivered or home-grown.

CDW and Focal Point (a CDW company) are closely monitoring developments and have created an online resource hub for our customers – updated in real-time as we learn more. I have also attached a whitepaper with some near-term remediation strategies for consideration.

If you need additional guidance to support your remediation efforts, CDW can help quickly. We are already leveraging analytics to help our customers rapidly scale efforts to identify affected systems. Our Incident Response team is on standby to assist in responding to known or suspected compromises and our Digital Velocity team can help with both short-term and long-term application remediation strategies. 

CDW Security Consulting Services are available on the MEEC “IT Security Services and Solutions” Contract, PGCC-20-10. Including Application Vulnerability Assessment, Incident Forensics, Security Assessments, IT Security Planning, Vulnerability Assessments and many others.

We will continue to provide guidance in the coming days and weeks. If you have any questions or if CDW and Focal Point can support your current remediation efforts, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any member of your CDW team. 

 Log4 Shell Explained

USM Career Opportunities - Assistant Director, MEEC (800155) - USM (usmd.edu)

The University System of Maryland Office (USMO) invites applications and nominations for the Exempt Staff position of MEEC Assistant Director, a key member of the MEEC staff. MEEC is a K-20 Education consortium in Maryland hosted by the University System of Maryland (USM) and is located in Halethorpe, MD. This position is designed to market and enhance MEEC's brand through managing member and vendor relations, developing technology and service strategies, providing expertise and negotiation skills in procurement efforts, and supporting the Executive Director in the execution of webinars, workshops, and in-person events. 

Best Consideration Date for Applications is Friday, December 31, 2021. All other resumes will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Applicants must combine all application materials (cover letter, resume and list of three references with contact information) into one PDF or Microsoft word document and send to the following email address: hr-meecasstdir@usmd.edu

Microsoft-Low-code, No-code Power Platform for Education

Description

Join us to learn about Microsoft's Business Applications Suite - from Dynamics 365 for CRM, Finance, HR, Project Ops to Power Platform, including Power Automate, Bots, Flow, Power Apps, Power BI. We'll discuss the top K-12 and HED use cases for low code, no code Power Apps, including transforming paper processes, reducing dev costs, and enabling developers to quickly build and deliver critical business apps. We'll also review resources available to get started building your business apps quickly and efficiently. 

Target Audience

IT, ITBDM, LOB App Owners, HR, Finance 

Presenters

 Amalia Mariaca - K-12 Business Applications Specialist,

Penelope Sawyer - HED Business Applications Specialist 

Grant Thornton-State of Higher Education in 2021

12.1.2021, 10:00 am to 11:00 am

Description

Grant Thornton practice leaders will review important topics that have impacted Higher Education over the past year, including,  Creating a sustainable future, Harnessing technology for growth, Supporting the campus community and The road ahead.

Target Audience

Higher Education Executives in various roles and departments.(Finance, Accounting, Technology, Operations)

Presenters

Matt Unterman - Practice Leader and Principal, Higher Education and Not-for-Profit Advisory

Erin Couture - Managing Director, Tax Services - Higher Education and Not-for-Profit Practices

Angelica Roiz - Partner, Audit Services - Higher Education and Not-for-Profit Practices

Networking For Future (NFF) 

Funding For Innovative Solutions To Bridge The Digital Divide And Improve Public Services, November 30

Secure, Ready to Deploy Broadband and IoT Solutions

Register Now!

Cities and rural communities are constantly seeking ways to procure government funding resources to bridge the digital divide by accelerating public broadband Internet access, foster economic growth, save taxpayer dollars, and modernize public services.

This webinar, on Tuesday, November 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET, is designed to provide you with real-world solutions and access to experts about applying for and using government funding to efficiently and securely deploy Smart City, broadband fiber, and wireless technologies to enable advanced public services and Internet access.

Networking For Future (NFF) is pleased to host this unique opportunity for you to learn more about secure, ready to deploy broadband and IoT solutions and hear how your IT peers applied for government funding, how they’re spending the funds, and their future plans for the funding.

Register Now!

WHEN

Tuesday, November 30, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM ET

 WHERE

This is an online Webex event.

SPEAKERS

• Vic Sprouse: Keynote – Federal Funds and Grants Director, West Virginia Department of Economic Development
• Daniel Turner – Chief Executive Officer and Founder, TRAXyL
• Dennis Robins – Public Funding Advisor, Cisco Systems
• Albert Garcia – Cisco Rural Broadband Center
• Malik Ishak – Director, Smart City Connectivity, Signify North America
• Susan Case – Internet of Things Specialist, Cisco Systems
• Chris Wigley – Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul
• Bobby Arkolakis –IoT Solutions Architect, Cisco Systems
• Mark Knellinger –Transportation Solutions Architect, Cisco Systems
• Chris Peabody – Chief Strategy Officer, Networking For Future

 AGENDA

• Keynote Address: West Virginia’s Landmark Billion-Dollar Broadband Strategy
• Navigating the Government Funding Terrain for Broadband Projects
• Rural Broadband – Bridging the Digital Divide
• Connected Government – Case Studies

- Smart Transportation

- Smart Safety and Security

o Physical

o Cybersecurity

• Innovative Technologies To Accelerate The Journey

- TRAXyL FiberTRAX “Paints” Optical Fiber Directly Onto Paved Surfaces

- Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (formerly Fluidmesh)

- Signify Broadband Luminaires, IoT Smart Poles, and Interact

• Questions and Answers

We're looking forward to seeing you online.

Questions or Comments? Contact: marketing@nffinc.com

New- Microsoft-What's New in Windows 11 and Windows Devices

11.17.2021, 10:00 am to 11:00 am 

Description

Attend this MEEC webinar in partnership with Microsoft. At this webinar, we will review what's new in Windows 11. Focus areas for discussion will include servicing, management and deployment. We will also discuss how you can deploy Windows 11 alongside existing Windows 10 devices using cloud management or other on-premises tools such as Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager or Windows Server Update Services.

Target Audience

IT Pros, CIO, CISO

Presenters

Scott Ellison - Sr. Cloud Endpoint Technical Specialist

MEEC is pleased to announce the newly established agreement with McGraw Hill, LLC for the use of their online educational products and services, ALEKS PPL (Placement, Preparation and Learning).  These products are testing, placement and learning modules for students in all of Education.  Click for details. 

BerryDunn-Charting a Course to Cyber Security Success

11.10.2021,10:00 am to 11:00 am

 Description

This webinar outlines an approach for identifying an information security framework and customizing it to fit the needs of the institution. This includes assessing processes, and integrating the framework into successful practices and policies to help build a stronger culture of cybersecurity. With a framework in mind, we will address current cybersecurity trends and walk through a real-world attack scenario.

Target Audience

CIO’s, CISO’S, IT Leaders, and IT Security Staff

Presenters

Joe Traino, Senior Manager

Brian Hadley, Manager

Tyler Bartlett, Consultant