Celebrating National IT Professionals Day: Meet district’s  IT Cybersecurity Team

National IT Professionals Day, observed annually on the third Tuesday in September, is a time to recognize and appreciate the dedication of those who safeguard the digital world. At Dallas ISD, the Information Security team is formed by a group of professionals committed to protecting the district from ever-evolving cyber threats.

Led by Security Manager Tommy Pigeon—who has already made significant progress in improving the district’s approach to cybersecurity in the 10 months he has been with the district—the team has redefined, prioritized, and managed security risks in the education sector.

“Creating sustainable and secure IT solutions to enhance the classroom experience for our students drives my team each and every day,” Pigeon said. 

The team is structured into three specialized vertical sections, each playing a crucial role in fortifying Dallas ISD’s cybersecurity landscape:

• Architecture and Engineering: This section is responsible for the design and implementation of secure systems across the district.
• Threat and Vulnerability Management: Focused on identifying and mitigating potential security risks, this team ensures that any abnormalities in data or district assets are promptly addressed.
• Privacy and Compliance: This team works diligently to protect employee and student data by overseeing data sharing agreements and ensuring that all vendors comply with district and educational standards.

One of the key projects currently being spearheaded by Security Architect Sean Sheridan and Security Engineers Jose Gonzalez and Daniel Akwei is the implementation of cloud security and data loss prevention measures. These efforts are critical in enhancing how applications and data are securely handled within the district.

Since last year, the Threat and Vulnerability Management team has expanded, with Brandon Nerios and Adrian Villanueva joining Jennifer Le as information security analysts. Their combined expertise have strengthened the team’s ability to detect and address security risks more effectively.

Maria Macias and Christian Thomas, who lead the Privacy and Compliance team, play an essential role in managing data agreements and ensuring vendor compliance with district policies and standards. Their work is vital in maintaining the integrity and security of our district’s data.

Information Security’s work extends beyond their technical expertise as they regularly interact with stakeholders, including principals and concerned parents. The team’s flexible approach, aligned with the district’s Core 4 values, ensures that needs and concerns are addressed with professionalism and care.