GPLS Tech Boot Camp 2021

           GPLS’s Tech Boot Camp was held virtually from October 19^th-22^nd this year. Tech Boot Camp is a time when the IT staff from all of Georgia’s public library systems can come together and compare notes.

Sessions this year included training on Google Workspace administration, a cybersecurity roundtable, and a recap of the results of the recent WiFi statistics collection pilot program.

FCPL participated in the WiFi pilot program and I presented our findings. The idea of the program is to use Raspberry Pis (which are cheap, small, portable computers) equipped with antennas and free software (software developed by a software development team contracted as part of the pilot program) to collect more accurate and descriptive statistics about how patrons use our public WiFi networks. The program was funded by a federal grant.

FCPL is fortunate enough to already have a fairly robust reporting system as part of our WiFi platform. This makes our statistics a good point of comparison for helping calibrate the new system. We are also able to offer information about the reporting capabilities of our existing system to help guide development of the reporting features in the new system. The data collected is still in a fairly difficult work with format for our monthly stat collection, so we are continuing to use our existing WiFi stats system for now. However, there are plans for the pilot program to continue and we are excited to continue contributing to this effort for more comprehensible WiFi stats.

Discussion at the session was lively and questions were plentiful. The Satilla Regional Library System, the Chestatee Regional Library System, and the West Georgia Regional Library System also participated in the pilot program. I was the only library IT person from one of these systems who was able to attend the conference live and answer questions, so I’m glad I was able to participate and share our findings.

-Nicholas

From Ross:

Times are changing and so are the methods needed to maintain network stability and security. A lot of our practices are based on older practices. While yes, they work they don’t necessarily keep us ahead of the game. Our practices need to change and evolve with the technology. Most of the sessions in the boot camp covered this point.  I’m pleased with GPLS’s security initiatives. They will help secure the valuable data that flows through library networks. This also helps us in IT to train our staff and ourselves to make our network a safer place.

From Wes:

               I got a lot out of this year’s GPLS Boot Camp. I really enjoyed the Cybersecurity Roundtable hosted by David Teston. There were some “Common Myths” discussed, specifically about libraries-

• “Cybercriminals don’t care about libraries. Too small of a target and our data isn’t valuable.” If it’s not secure then they can get in. Simple as that.

• “We haven’t had any issues yet, so we must be sure.” You can’t turn a blind eye. Always room to secure your network better!

I learned that libraries are one of the last privacy havens for people. People feel secure using our resources (internet, computers) because of what we have and how we offer it. Also, library data is HIGHLY valuable in the right hands, which is why it’s so important to keep our network secure. 

 

From Andre:

It was my first time attending the Tech Boot Camp. After the TBC Opening Presentation, I attended the Cybersecurity in Ten (not so) Easy Steps, What's New in Google, FBI Cybersecurity Presentation, and Secret Service Cybersecurity Trends.

All these events were filled with valuable information; for example: who knew the Secret Service were involved in more than protecting the President? Yes, the Secret Service has a cybersecurity division. They protect the nation’s financial infrastructure and investigate network intrusions, identity theft and use, and business email compromise.

The FBI Cybersecurity Presentation included a short video about how the Dubai Police arrested two ringleaders of a multi-million-dollar cybercrime operation, one known as “Hushpuppi”. This criminal was bragging about his criminal activities over social media which gave the authorities plenty of proof to incriminate him.

Lastly, the What's New in Google covered how much the GPLS Google account has changed since going from the Legacy Suite to the Enterprise Standard version. A few of these upgrades include unlimited drive storage space, Meet maximum participants increase from 100 to 250, meeting recordings, polls, Q&A, and hand raising options, ability to share drives, folders, or files, and so much more.

 

I’m looking forward to the 2022 Tech Boot Camp and hopefully next year it will be an in-person event.