The Technology Services (ICT) department has been busy this year in completing several major projects behind the scenes to lay the foundations required for our strategic digital transformation. The refitting of our infrastructure has been necessary groundwork to redesign, modernise and reduce the complexity of our technology platforms, which have evolved continuously over the years. The School’s goal is to deliver a digitally transformed experience for our students, teachers and parents over the coming years, with exciting enhancements gradually taking shape from now into the future.
Network infrastructure uplift
During the first half of 2025, the project to replace a significant component of our aging network infrastructure was completed. This ensures we have a well-supported, best-practice platform where our teaching and learning takes place every day. This required the replacement of 80 network switches across all sites that we operate on. In Term 3, we doubled our capacity and pipes, which is what provides all students and staff with access to the internet. Continuing the work in this portfolio will be the upgrade of our 300 wireless nodes that will ensure our people have a strong wi-fi connection for their devices across the campuses – this will be complete by the end of the year, marking a significant undertaking and milestone for the School. Many thanks to the Cyber Security and Infrastructure Uplift project team for their dedication and hard work to make this happen.
Modernising Carey’s digital platforms and applications
Over the last couple of years, the School has made significant strides in modernising our core applications that we use every day to deliver learning programs, manage our databases, connect with the community, oversee human resource services and many other essential functions. As the technology developed over the last 20 years, these applications were developed in-house or engaged with as the opportunities and needs arose, which has led to a collection of fragmented software packages and outdated processes. An immediate and deliberate priority was to invest in uplifting Carey’s behind-the-scenes technology landscape, positioning ourselves to deliver on our digital ecosystem vision. In this portfolio, the School has implemented a service and support portal for requesting Tech Services and Maintenance assistance, a modern human resource platform for staff and an upgraded finance system to streamline the financial management of the School. The focus now is to simplify or phase out outdated technology.
With the foundation laid, the School can now turn its attention to the exciting work that is the more visible projects, and ensuring we are delivering a seamless and personalised experience for our students, staff, families and communities – a key component of our strategic priorities. One of these critical projects is the implementation of a new School Management System. This new system will reduce the administrative burden and load for our staff, students and parents so we all have more time to focus on what matters most: the teaching, development and support of the young people in our care.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Did you know that 80% of all data breaches are caused by employee mistakes? This is according to research by Standford University and, closer to home, Australia's Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) found that of all reportable breaches in first half of 2024, 30% of all data breaches where related to human errors and an additional 12% caused by employees inadvertently clicking on malicious phishing links. The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) also acknowledges that human error accounts for more than 80% of cyberattacks.
An organisation's security is only as good as its weakest link, and we humans are a core component when it comes to the technology that supports us. During Cyber Awareness Month, we aim to raise awareness, understanding and action within our community to ensure that we all understand the vital role we play in keeping the information of our students, families and employees safe.
You may have noticed a series of weekly messages and tips published to Daily Messages so far this month, as we aim to foster awareness and education around cyber safety. As a community, we must build and mature our cybersecurity muscles.
Please remember to report and suspicious cyber incidents or activity to cyber@carey.com.au, or call 9816 1500.
Chee Teoh
Director – Digital Transformation
