At CoSN 2026, Dr. Bryan Drost shared a powerful reminder that innovation in education must be paired with responsibility. As Executive Director of Instructional Innovation and Grants for the North Central Ohio Educational Service Center, Bryan spoke about the growing importance of student data privacy, cybersecurity, and building trusted learning environments for schools.
Through Ohio’s Trusted Learning Environment initiatives, districts are developing systems that protect student information while empowering educators to thoughtfully integrate technology into learning. Dr. Drost emphasized that protecting student data isn’t just a technical issue, it’s a human one.
“Kids have the most pristine data on the planet,” he noted, underscoring the long-term consequences of data misuse.
Beyond cybersecurity, the conversation highlighted a broader theme echoed throughout CoSN: lifelong learning. Whether through networking, collaboration, or staying curious, educators must continuously adapt alongside the rapidly evolving world of technology and AI.
The future of education will belong to communities willing to learn together, innovate responsibly, and place human trust at the center of digital transformation
