Summer Tech Prep 2026: A Practical Guide for School IT Teams

School IT departments can take advantage of reduced user demand during the summer. Now is the time to assess and improve your technology infrastructure, address changes and fixes, and prepare for the fall semester. Here are some essential tips to make the most of summer break.

Inventory & Asset Management

Audit Systems

Keep an accurate inventory of all hardware, software and cloud services. Identify items to retire, migrate, or upgrade. Use this opportunity to clean up outdated records and ensure accurate inventory documentation.

Manage and Verify Inventory

It’s hard to secure unknown or unidentified assets. Ensure records are current and complete. An accurate inventory helps assess risk, allocate resources, and track performance over time.

Maintenance and Upgrades

Evaluate and Upgrade Equipment

Identify systems that are outdated, unsupported, or approaching end-of-life. These systems are vulnerable to security risks. Upgrading will boost reliability, performance, and security.

Network and Endpoint Monitoring

Review firewall rules and access, Wi-Fi security and access points. Configure server logs and monitoring tools (EDR, SIEM) for unusual activity and threat detection.

Patch and Update Software

Ensure all devices, servers, and applications are fully updated. Prioritize critical security patches and retire unsupported systems. Update SIS, LMS, and key EdTech tools and systems.

Security and Risk Mitigation

Audit User Permission

Apply the principle of least privilege. Users should have only the access necessary to do their jobs. Audit user accounts, remove inactive users, and enforce MFA across all systems, especially remote access.

Review IT Security Policies

Ensure security policies are current, compliant with regulations, and aligned with best practices. Regular reviews help find and fix vulnerabilities and ensure security measures are strong.

Test Backups and Recovery Plans

Test and verify backups are secure, segmented, and offline capable. Confirm backups are functional and capable of restoring the network and data after a system failure or ransomware attack.

Train for Incidents

Host tabletop exercises and review incident response, disaster recovery, and business continuity plans. Ensure everyone understands their roles and how to respond to currents threats like ransomware and AI-driven phishing. Include your cyber coverage provider and point-of-contact information in the plan.

Vendor Risk Management

Review vendor accounts and access to ensure only needed accounts are active. Keep a centralized list of vendors and confirm their incident response and notification practices. Make sure contracts and data sharing agreements clearly define security and compliance requirements.

Training and Documentation

Security Awareness Training

Update staff training to cover current threats (AI phishing, scams, deepfakes) and best practices. Share simple back-to-school reminders on phishing and safe data handling. Give new hires quick cyber hygiene training during onboarding.

Update Documentation

Document key standard operating procedures and system processes. Make sure security policies are up to date and meet requirements. Review past incidents for lessons learned and improvements.

Environment and Organization

Schedule walk-throughs and regular cleanings of server rooms for longer-lasting, more reliable performance and removal of excess cables and equipment.

Connect critical systems to uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and surge protectors. This helps prevent damage to data and hardware from power surges and provides backup during short outages.

Physical Security

Review all physical security access like badge access to sensitive areas, as well as camera views and door locks to ensure facilities are secure and systems are working properly.

Plan and Stay Organized

Download our Summer Tech Prep Checklist to guide your team through each of these essential steps. With proactive planning, your department will be ready to support a secure, stable, and efficient learning environment when students return.

Editor's note: This article was originally published in July 2024. It has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.