The CoSN Webinar Series: Navigating Cybersecurity in the Age of Generative AI episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 24, 2026 · 58 MIN

The CoSN Webinar Series: Navigating Cybersecurity in the Age of Generative AI

from The CoSN Podcast · host COSN - The Podcast

As AI technology advances, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. This panel will explore the evolving landscape of cyber threats exacerbated by generative AI, highlighting how these sophisticated tools are used to create convincing phishing attempts and other forms of social engineering. We will also discuss the positive aspects of AI in enhancing cybersecurity measures, such as AI-driven threat detection and response systems. Emphasizing that humans remain the biggest cybersecurity risk, we will cover strategies to improve security awareness and reduce vulnerabilities through education, humor, and personal touches in communication that both large and small districts can use. Attendees will leave with actionable insights and best practices to protect their school systems against emerging threats while leveraging AI for enhanced security.Key Take Aways:Enhanced Security Awareness and Education: Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how generative AI is being used to create sophisticated social engineering attacks. They will learn strategies to enhance security awareness and education utilizing humor, personal touches, and clear communication to make cybersecurity practices more relatable and memorable.Leveraging AI for Cybersecurity: Explore how IT leaders can utilize readily available tools to improve cybersecurity efforts. These tools can help detect unusual patterns, predict potential threats, and automate routine security tasks. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to integrate these AI technologies into their security practices.Engaging and Inclusive Approaches: The panel will use interactive elements such as real-world scenarios, Q&A sessions, and small group discussions to engage the audience actively. The session will provide inclusive and practical approaches that large and small districts can implement, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging learning experience for all attendees.Doug Couture, MBA, MAT CETLDirector of TechnologySouth Windsor Public Schools, ConnecticutFrankie Jackson, CETLK-12 Independent CTO, Project Director(Formerly) Cypress Fairbanks ISD, TexasMac McMillian, CISSPAdministrator for ITBeaverton School District, OregonThe Sessions Everyone Was Talking About Webinar SeriesMissed CoSN2025 in Seattle or couldn’t attend every session? Don’t worry—we’re bringing the most popular, standing-room-only presentations to you in a special webinar series. Learn from top EdTech leaders from across the country—no travel needed!Assets:Navigating Cybersecurity in the Age of Generative AI -YouTubeCoSN Volunteer Committees Learn MoreCoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced in partnership with⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠

As AI technology advances, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. This panel will explore the evolving landscape of cyber threats exacerbated by generative AI, highlighting how these sophisticated tools are used to create convincing phishing attempts and other forms of social engineering. We will also discuss the positive aspects of AI in enhancing cybersecurity measures, such as AI-driven threat detection and response systems. Emphasizing that humans remain the biggest cybersecurity risk, we will cover strategies to improve security awareness and reduce vulnerabilities through education, humor, and personal touches in communication that both large and small districts can use. Attendees will leave with actionable insights and best practices to protect their school systems against emerging threats while leveraging AI for enhanced security.Key Take Aways:Enhanced Security Awareness and Education: Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how generative AI is being used to create sophisticated social engineering attacks. They will learn strategies to enhance security awareness and education utilizing humor, personal touches, and clear communication to make cybersecurity practices more relatable and memorable.Leveraging AI for Cybersecurity: Explore how IT leaders can utilize readily available tools to improve cybersecurity efforts. These tools can help detect unusual patterns, predict potential threats, and automate routine security tasks. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to integrate these AI technologies into their security practices.Engaging and Inclusive Approaches: The panel will use interactive elements such as real-world scenarios, Q&A sessions, and small group discussions to engage the audience actively. The session will provide inclusive and practical approaches that large and small districts can implement, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging learning experience for all attendees.Doug Couture, MBA, MAT CETLDirector of TechnologySouth Windsor Public Schools, ConnecticutFrankie Jackson, CETLK-12 Independent CTO, Project Director(Formerly) Cypress Fairbanks ISD, TexasMac McMillian, CISSPAdministrator for ITBeaverton School District, OregonThe Sessions Everyone Was Talking About Webinar SeriesMissed CoSN2025 in Seattle or couldn’t attend every session? Don’t worry—we’re bringing the most popular, standing-room-only presentations to you in a special webinar series. Learn from top EdTech leaders from across the country—no travel needed!Assets:Navigating Cybersecurity in the Age of Generative AI -YouTubeCoSN Volunteer Committees Learn MoreCoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced in partnership with⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠

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The CoSN Webinar Series: Navigating Cybersecurity in the Age of Generative AI

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This episode is 58 minutes long.

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This episode was published on February 24, 2026.

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As AI technology advances, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. This panel will explore the evolving landscape of cyber threats exacerbated by generative AI, highlighting how these sophisticated tools are used to create convincing phishing attempts...

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