Birmingham City Schools Technology staff participated in a full day of professional learning focused on Cybersecurity and Incident Response Planning on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

The event brought all Technology staff together for intensive cybersecurity training, collaborative team-building activities, and opportunities to strengthen relationships across all technology departments.

A special highlight of the professional learning experience was welcoming Jonathan Warren, a 2002 graduate of Birmingham City Schools’ Carver High School, back to Birmingham City Schools as the featured cybersecurity speaker. Warren has built an extensive career in information technology and cybersecurity and returned to his school district to share his professional knowledge and experiences with the team. Warren has more than 20 years of experience in cybersecurity and technology. He is a veteran and has served in several cybersecurity leadership and information security roles.

During the cybersecurity session, Warren examined the rapidly evolving cyberthreat landscape facing K–12 school systems. Topics included ransomware, phishing and social engineering, business email compromise, data breaches, third-party vendor risks, artificial intelligence-enabled cyberattacks, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and indicators of compromise.

The training emphasized that cybersecurity is not simply a technology issue, but it requires preparation, clearly defined procedures, communication, and shared responsibility throughout an organization. The presentation also introduced staff to the six-phase incident response lifecycle: Preparation, Identification, Containment, Eradication, Recovery, and Lessons Learned.

Professional learning extended beyond the classroom. Staff participated in self-evaluation activities, team-building through line dancing, music, karaoke, and opportunities to connect with colleagues. These activities reinforced the importance of teamwork during a cybersecurity incident. Effective incident response depends not only on technical expertise, but also on trust, communication, collaboration, and the ability of team members to work together effectively under pressure.

The professional learning experience supported Technology’s commitment to creating a culture in which employees are prepared to protect district systems, recognize threats, respond appropriately to incidents, and continuously strengthen cybersecurity practices. The training emphasized that K–12 cyber incidents are increasingly part of the operating environment for school districts and that preparation, continuous monitoring, staff education, and practiced incident response plans are essential.

For Birmingham City Schools, the event was also a powerful example of what it means to “Build Leaders who Impact the World.” More than two decades after graduating from Carver High School, Jonathan Warren returned to BCS as a cybersecurity professional to help prepare the district’s Technology staff for the challenges ahead, demonstrating the lasting impact of Birmingham City Schools and the power of alumni returning to invest their knowledge and expertise in the district that helped prepare them for success.