DOWNINGTOWN, PA — With cyberattacks increasingly targeting school infrastructure across the country, education and municipal leaders in Chester County are being called to the front lines for a specialized training aimed at protecting the digital systems that keep classrooms, buses, and buildings running.
The Chester County Intermediate Unit will host a two-day Operational Technology Cybersecurity Governance for K-12 Leaders workshop on Tuesday, February 17, and Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at its Educational Service Center at 455 Boot Road in Downingtown. The executive-level training will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. both days, with breakfast and lunch provided.
The program is designed for superintendents, business officials, facility and IT directors, network administrators, and school security coordinators who oversee technology systems that extend far beyond computers. Those systems include HVAC controls, surveillance cameras, access control platforms, transportation infrastructure, and smart classroom technologies — all of which have become increasingly vulnerable as schools grow more connected.
The training will be led by cybersecurity experts Andrew Murray, principal consulting engineer at UnRavl, and Steven Long, the company’s chief risk officer. Participants will focus on governance, risk management, and practical strategies for defending operational technology systems against cyber threats that can disrupt school operations or compromise student safety.
“In today’s schools, Operational Technology isn’t just behind-the-scenes equipment; it’s the backbone of a safe and modern learning environment,” Long said. “From HVAC and access controls to smart classrooms, every connected system plays a role in protecting students and keeping schools running. In this course, we empower K-12 leaders to understand these systems, strengthen resilience, and build a culture where cybersecurity and student safety go hand in hand.”
Organizers said the workshop comes at a critical moment as school districts nationwide face a growing wave of ransomware attacks, data breaches, and system intrusions that have shut down buildings, delayed transportation, and exposed sensitive information.
Registration details, pricing, and additional information are available at www.cciu.org/OTcybersecurity.
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