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Technology & Innovation

Empowering Student Learning Through Reliable, Secure, and Innovative Technology

The Cabarrus County Schools Technology and Innovation department is integrated of two areas of speciality:

Instructional Technology & Information Systems

Announcements

Camera System Request for Proposal

lady holding security tablet displaying security cameras infront of school while children are walking outside.

 

The Cabarrus County Schools Technology Department seeks sealed proposals from qualified vendors for the installation, support, and maintenance of complete/standardized security camera systems across all district facilities. The immediate requirement is the installation of a complete security camera system at three new schools currently under construction. 

We are interested in receiving responsive and competitive proposals from experienced and qualified vendors. 

Link to Camera System Request Proposal Applications

NavAlert: New SnapAI Filter Raises Concerns

NavAlert:  New Snapchat AI Filter Raises Concerns - image of a phone with a caution sign

A new AI-powered Snapchat filter is trending among teens. This feature allows users to type a command and instantly generate realistic photos of people doing whatever is being described — even if those people never posed for the image or gave permission.

 

While many teens experiment out of curiosity, others have already used it in concerning ways. At Byron High School in Illinois, administrators recently addressed an incident where students used the filter to create fake, inappropriate images of their peers.

 

This situation is an important reminder for all families: AI-generated images can look real, spread quickly, and cause real harm.

 

🧠 What Parents/Guardians Should Know

  • How It Works: Snapchat’s new “Imagine Lens” feature uses artificial intelligence to create photo-like images based on text prompts (TechRadar).
  • Privacy Risks: Allows anyone to generate fake images of another person without their consent.
  • Cyberbullying Potential: Fake images can be used to embarrass or target others, even if not widely shared.
  • Confusion Between Real & Fake: Teens may struggle to tell what’s real online, especially in emotionally charged situations.
  • Data Concerns: Snapchat’s “My Selfie” tool can use personal images for ads unless settings are adjusted (The Verge).

🛡️ What Parents/Guardians Can Do

  • Check Privacy Settings: Go to Snapchat → Settings → My Selfie → Ads and turn off permissions that use your or your child’s likeness.
  • Set Clear Boundaries: Explain the why behind each boundary so your child learns to make safe, thoughtful choices even when you’re not there to supervise.
  • Encourage Reporting: If your child sees something inappropriate or harmful, remind them to report it to a trusted adult and to contact Snapchat directly.
  • Promote Integrity Online: Talk about using technology responsibly and respectfully — even when joking or experimenting with new features is tempting.

If you would like to pass this information on to parents, a PDF version of this NavAlert is available in the ‘Resources’ tab on your Neptune Navigate platform.

Christina Jontra - Email Signiture

Powerschool Data Breach

The PowerSchool logo features a white 'P' icon on a dark blue background.

February 2025 Updates

Cabarrus County Schools places great importance on safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of its students and staff. As part of this commitment, we will promptly inform you if we have reason to believe that the security of your information may have been compromised.  In January 2025, PowerSchool notified the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and North Carolina public schools about a cybersecurity incident that impacted student and teacher and staff data across their global client base via the PowerSchool Student Information System (SIS). This incident was not isolated to North Carolina. PowerSchool has shared that all impacted data has been contained and destroyed, and PowerSchool is working alongside law enforcement to monitor the dark web for any activity involving exposed data.  Cabarrus County Schools has confirmed that CCS student and staff information was included in this breach, and this email provides some additional information on next steps being taken by PowerSchool related to this incident.

 

PowerSchool has begun the process of filing state attorneys general notifications across applicable U.S. jurisdictions on behalf of its customers.  As of early February 2025, PowerSchool will begin providing formal legal notice of the cybersecurity incident to current and former students (or their parents/guardians as applicable) and educators whose information was determined to be involved.   

 

Identity and Credit Monitoring

  • A direct email notification will be distributed by Experian on behalf of PowerSchool in the coming weeks to applicable current and former students (or their parents/guardians as applicable) and educators for whom PowerSchool has sufficient contact information. This email sender will be Ps-sis-incident@mail.csid.com.  The email notice will include further information about the information of theirs involved and the resources PowerSchool is offering. 
  • PowerSchool has coordinated with Experian to set up a toll-free call center for families and educators in case they have questions about these offerings: 833-918-9464

 

Additional Resources

PowerSchool has launched a website and distributed a media release to ensure they reach as many involved individuals as possible and provide them with resources to protect their information. The following two websites provide additional information. 

  • PowerSchool Breach Information
    • Background on the data breach
    • Enrollment information in complimentary identity protection services to students and educators whose information was involved.  The website indicates that enrollment is required by May 30, 2025.
    • FAQ Document for Families
    • FAQ Document for Educators
  • DPI PowerSchool SIS Incident Website

Keep in mind that this data breach occurred within PowerSchool and was not limited to Cabarrus County Schools or even North Carolina   If you have questions specific to Cabarrus County Schools, please reach out to info@cabarrus.k12.nc.us.  

 

 

 

 

January 2025 Update

Background of PowerSchool Data Breach:

On the afternoon of Tuesday, January 7, PowerSchool alerted North Carolina public schools and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) to a cybersecurity incident impacting student and teacher data across their global client base. This incident was not isolated to North Carolina; it impacted PowerSchool clients globally. PowerSchool is a student information system (SIS) that has been in use in North Carolina since 2013. 

On December 28, 2024, PowerSchool became aware of a cybersecurity incident involving unauthorized access to student and teacher data. The data breach occurred when the credentials of a PowerSchool contract employee were compromised. The threat actors used the compromised account to download student and staff data tables from schools around the world.

PowerSchool has shared that the threat has been contained and that the compromised data was not shared and has been destroyed. PowerSchool is working with law enforcement to monitor the dark web for any data exposure.

As the party responsible for the breach, PowerSchool will conduct all necessary notifications once the investigation is completed to ensure appropriate and accurate compliance with local, state and federal requirements and laws. PowerSchool has informed all impacted Public School Units (PSU). All PSUs that currently or previously utilized the PowerSchool SIS were impacted by the data breach to some degree. A limited number of student social security numbers were exposed, specifically less than 1,000 students’ social security numbers were in the data from the 12 years PowerSchool administered North Carolina’s  student information system. More teachers’ social security numbers were impacted than students. PowerSchool is analyzing the data and has shared that they plan to begin the notification process by the end of January.

Both PowerSchool and independent security consultants have also confirmed that there were no actions that NCDPI or any PSU could have taken to prevent this global cybersecurity incident.

Technology Help


Technology Help Desk

Call: 704.260.5866 - Ext. 75866

Submit a Technology Support Ticket

Click Here to Submit a Help Ticket

 

Directions for Submitting a Help Ticket

  • Students who are having device or login issues should submit a support ticket.  Teachers can put tickets in for students on their behalf.

  • To connect your Chromebook to your home wifi, click on the time or the status area (which shows the Wi-Fi icon) in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Select the option ot Manage Wi-Fi connections or view the list of available networks.  Select your home WiFi name and enter home internet password. 

  • Students are monitored by teachers through GoGuardian during the school day.  All school devices are monitored through Zscaler at all times.  Additionally, Gaggle is used to ensure students are safe on devices.  Reports and alerts are sent to district and school leadership if students are displaying unsafe online practices.  

  • Effective and responsible use of data forms the cornerstone of informed decision-making in today's educational institutions, with a primary focus on enhancing student performance. Accurate data capture is not only essential for meeting public, state, and federal reporting obligations but also for creating precise school and district performance reports. Complementing the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA), Cabarrus County Schools has implemented supplementary guidelines and stringent processes to bolster the privacy of every student and to guarantee the confidentiality and security of all data collected and managed. This commitment extends beyond legal compliance, emphasizing the ethical and responsible use of data to respect the rights and dignity of students and their families. In essence, data-driven decision-making and robust data protection measures are integral components of Cabarrus County Schools' dedication to delivering quality education while safeguarding the privacy and security of student information.

  • Digital Citizenship, media literacy and AI literacy are important lessons that are taught both through our core instruction and school-based programming. All Cabarrus County School students actively participate in eight comprehensive online lessons that teach students how to be smart and safe in the digital world.  Neptune Navigate 

  • Our students are encouraged to use AI in the classroom.  We want our students to graduate college and career-ready, which includes AI literacy.  You can learn more about our AI Guidelines on our AI Webpage. 

  • Students use applications such as Google Apps, Microsoft Office, and Digital Resources within Clever.

  • You can learn more about the acceptable use policy by clicking here:  Linked Here