The ICT manager’s role

The ICT manager plays a key role in establishing and maintaining a cybersafe school environment. He/she is usually the staff member with the most technical knowledge and expertise about ICT, and whose job description may include the management of the computer network (e.g. in larger schools), and the practical aspects of the school’s cybersafety systems.

Many schools, especially small, isolated and/or rural schools, are unlikely to have an ICT Manager with all the necessary technical background and skills. At the most basic level, the person in charge should be able to carry out regular checks for indications of misuse. However, for safety reasons, much greater expertise than this is required, so it is important that a school provides the opportunity for on-going training to the person in this position of responsibility.

Specific responsibilities of the ICT manager include:

• Overseeing the electronic security system
• Graphically documenting the location of all Internet-accessible computers in the school, as recommended by forensic experts
• Regularly conducting checks on the cybersafety of the school environment. The Ministry of Education’s ICT Help Desk is available to advise about setting up a comprehensive monitoring system, and can be contacted on 0800 CALL ICT (225 5428) or callict@tki.org.nz.