Year in Review: 2024
As a member-owned organisation, CEnet strives to enhance educational value and achieve common good for our connected Catholic communities. Over the past 12 months, we have achieved significant milestones and, as the end of the 2024 school year draws near, we would like to share with you the progress we have made together with our members.
Cybersecurity: A top priority
AusCERT Member Organisation of the Year Award
In recognition of our innovative approach, we were awarded the prestigious AusCERT Member Organisation of the Year Award.
Catholic Education, Cyber Security Network (CSN)
We facilitated discussion at the Cybersecurity Leaders' Forum 2024, informed by collaborative work with other technology experts within the Catholic education, Cyber Security Network (CSN).
Boosting resilience through Automated Security Incident Notifications
We worked in partnership with the Catholic education community on Automated Security Incident Notification capability, with Catholic School Authorities now benefiting across all states and territories.
Partnering with CyberCX
We partnered with CyberCX to offer crucial services, including Cyber Incident Response and Proactive Cyber Uplift and Enablement Services, to all Catholic schools, including non-diocesan schools.
Ongoing cyber security uplift
We held a series of educational webinars with CyberCX on key methodologies and best security practices in the ever-evolving cyber landscape.
SECaaS Project Completion
We concluded the 2023 Security Services project (SECaaS), marking a significant achievement in bolstering the security posture and resilience of schools and systems across the CEnet enterprise and the broader sector.
Embracing AI
Generative AI in education
We facilitated the 2024 Synergy Session, focusing on the potential opportunities and impacts of generative AI. This event brought together technical and education specialists from member dioceses to explore AI's role in systems, processes, and teaching and learning.
AI Educator survey
We conducted a survey to understand educators' perspectives on AI in education. The survey revealed valuable insights into teachers' attitudes, concerns, and desired AI support areas, which will inform CEnet's future initiatives.
Launch of cechat pilot + roadmap
We launched the pilot of cechat, an AI-driven tool designed to enhance teaching, learning, and administration. The pilot includes participation from numerous schools and Catholic Schools Offices across Australia, demonstrating a strong commitment to harnessing the power of AI in Catholic education. Our roadmap sets the stage for the future of AI in our Catholic classrooms.
Creating an AI Community of Practice
We created the cechat AI eduExchange on LinkedIn to allow educators, administrators, and IT professionals to exchange ideas and support each other in exploring AI in Catholic education.
Creating an AI Professional Learning Framework + Core Processes Framework
We created the CEnet's Professional Learning Framework and Core Processes Framework to assist educators in guiding the responsible use of AI tools as they evolve and are adopted.
Future: Forward Conference
We hosted the 2024 Future: Forward AI in Catholic Education Conference, bringing together stakeholders to discuss the ethical and responsible integration of AI into Catholic education. The positive feedback and the anticipated need for reliable AI tools have spurred the development of our new AI service.
Investing in network and infrastructure
Network advancements
We successfully completed Phase 1 of our network transformation project, resulting in a remarkable tenfold increase in network backbone and connectivity speeds. We partnered with AARNet to provide faster and more reliable access to digital resources, supporting seamless learning experiences for students and staff.
Seamless NAPLAN testing
We took comprehensive measures to ensure smooth NAPLAN testing in 2024, resulting in no reports of connectivity-related issues during the testing window.
Supporting professional learning
Free professional learning webinars
We supported the Catholic Learning Online (CLO) working group to facilitate 32 professional learning webinars during 2024, including the 2024 Summit, delivering free professional learning that supports technology use in learning, teaching, and administration.
Enhancing data services and capability
Enhancing the Enterprise Data Warehouse
We successfully transitioned the Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) from an on-premise to a cloud-based solution using Snowflake to provide faster data access and valuable insights to support operational activities.
Robust security is top of mind
We implemented new security measures which include end-to-end encryption for both the CEnet Data Lake (AWS S3) and the CEnet Data Warehouse (Snowflake) to ensure data remains safe.
Seamless access for members
We enabled changes to allow all data, collected by CEnet, to be available to members in its raw format via the CEnet Data Lake.
Enterprise reporting & analytics
We reconfigured the Enterprise Reporting & Analytics platform (Yellowfin) to enhance user experience and significantly improve performance.
Championing innovation
Simplified login solution for K-2 students
We initiated a pilot program to simplify the login process for K-2 students and students with additional requirements. Following a successful pilot we will continue to rollout this initiative to schools into 2025.
National Schools Identifier platform
We have been working towards integrating the National Schools Identifier platform with the CEnet memberships’ enterprise Catholic Education Identifier (CeId’er) management system to minimise duplication of effort and to ensure efficient Schools Identifier issuance to students within our network.
First of its kind IT benchmarking
We launched Australia's first IT benchmarking initiative to evaluate costs and service elements within the Catholic Education sector's IT services across Australia, enabling Catholic Education Dioceses to spot improvement areas and make informed IT investment decisions.
National leadership supporting Catholic education
We have played an extensive role in supporting the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) by representing the Catholic sector at state/territory and national levels on various cross-jurisdictional programs and committees, including:
NCEC IT Working Group (ITWG)
NCEC Cyber Security Working Group (CSWG)
NCEC Online Assessment Working Group (OAWG)
National Schools Unique Student Identifier (USI) Program
ST4S: Safety Technology for Schools
Student Data Transfer Protocol development (SDTP)
Collaborating and sharing knowledge
EduTECH conference presentations
We presented at the EduTECH conference on topics such as passwordless authentication, building secure and cost-effective networks, and the future of AI in education.
EDUtech Asia presentation
We presented at EDUtech Asia in Singapore, highlighting CEnet's work to a broader international audience.
ServiceNow World Forum
We attended the ServiceNow World Forum, exploring AI's potential to enhance the platform, particularly in education.
Spotlight on AI in Education event
We participated in the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong's 'Spotlight on AI in Education' event, sharing insights into the potential of AI in education and providing updates on the cechat pilot program.
Concepts 2024
We brought subject matter experts together for two days of sharing to focus on key service areas; Student Information Systems and Finance Management Systems.
Thank you.
Collectively, we have many accomplishments to celebrate.
These achievements are thanks to the tireless efforts of the CEnet Board, staff, committees and working groups and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with you all. Thank you to our members who participated in events, forums and professional learning this year, your invaluable insights make our support more effective and impactful for Catholic schools.
We have had much success in 2024.
