Manitoba Education Research & Learning Information Networks - Merlin

Some of the most important cybersecurity work happens when no one is watching.

As part of our Quiet Work, Big Impact theme, we're sharing the first four focus areas from MERLIN's 8-Week Cybersecurity Challenge: practical steps organizations can explore over the summer to strengthen their security posture before September.

This week, we're highlighting:
🛡️ Review firewall configurations
💻 Patch operating systems
🔒 Strengthen Microsoft security settings
📱 Complete MFA deployment

These aren't always the most visible projects, but they can have a significant impact on protecting systems, data, and users.

Swipe through to hear from MERLIN staff about why these areas matter and how small improvements today can help prevent bigger challenges tomorrow.

Please join us in welcoming Ruth Omer to the MERLIN team as our new part-time Office Manager.

While Ruth may be new to this role, she is certainly not new to MERLIN. Through her work with Manitoba Innovation and New Technology, she has supported MERLIN and our team in many ways.

We're excited to officially welcome Ruth to the organization and look forward to the experience, knowledge, and familiar face she brings to the role.

Welcome to the team, Ruth!

We’re sharing an update from the MERLIN team.

Dean Lorenzo, IT Analyst Intern, has concluded his time with MERLIN and will be returning to Digital Technology Solutions (DTS) as his internship term comes to an end.

During his time with MERLIN, Dean supported a variety of initiatives and gained hands-on experience contributing to the technology services that support Manitoba’s education community. We appreciate the energy, curiosity, and dedication he brought to the team.

We wish Dean all the best as he continues his professional journey and look forward to seeing where his career takes him next.

Thank you, Dean!

Smarter data help create smarter systems.

Clever helps simplify and secure access to the digital tools schools rely on every day. Through MERLIN, you can now access:

🖥️ Identity Management (IDM): Automate account provisioning and access management for Google, Active Directory, and Entra ID.

🔑 Multi-factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security without requiring a second device, helping protect accounts while minimizing classroom disruption.

🛡️ Protect Plus Bundle: Combines IDM and MFA for a comprehensive identity and access management solution.

By reducing administrative workload and strengthening account security, these tools help support reliable, secure, and efficient digital learning environments.

Learn more by contacting [email protected]

We're fired up about email this week!

As part of National Email Week, we're highlighting one of the easiest ways to stay connected with MERLIN.

Whether you're interested in outage alerts, technology updates, cybersecurity news, training opportunities, events, licensing information, or Partner Program updates, our email distribution lists help ensure you never miss an important announcement.

🔥 Stay informed.
🔥 Stay connected.
🔥 Stay in the know.

Contact [email protected] for a subscription request and get the latest updates delivered directly to your inbox.

🚨Get Your Spot Now 🚨

We have FOUR summer technical PD events on our schedule and registration deadlines are coming up fast.

Get your spot in these sessions before it is too late! We need 10 registrations in order for these to proceed. Email [email protected] for full details and visit our website to learn more: https://www.merlin.mb.ca/training/

Thank you to David Nykoluk and Mike Yallits from Palo Alto Networks for delivering an informative session on today’s evolving cybersecurity landscape.

David and Mike joined us last Thursday for our Partner Program Meeting - an event that brings together technology leads from across Manitoba's K-12, post-secondary, independent, and First Nations education sectors.

Your insights into advanced threat protection, SSL decryption, and emerging AI-driven risks provided attendees with practical strategies for strengthening security, improving visibility, and protecting educational environments from modern cyber threats.

Thank you to Aerin Bowers and Nicholas Klima from Clever for delivering an engaging session on classroom-friendly cybersecurity.

Nicholas joined us virtually last Thursday for our Partner Program Meeting - an event that brings together technology leads from across Manitoba's K-12, post-secondary, independent, and First Nations education sectors.

We appreciate Aerin’s efforts in coordinating the presentation and Nicholas’s insights into age-appropriate authentication strategies that help schools strengthen security, reduce administrative burden, and better protect students and staff in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Thank you to Rebecca Johnston, Vijay Babu Banerjee, and Chris Fredrickson from Manitoba Government (MEECL) for providing valuable updates on provincial initiatives impacting the education sector.

They joined us last Thursday for our Partner Program Meeting - an event that brings together technology leads from across Manitoba's K-12, post-secondary, independent, and First Nations education sectors.

Your overview of changes to the provincial report card and upcoming SharePoint migration plans helped attendees better understand what lies ahead and how to prepare for these important transitions.

If Kiley is reading this, get Sam to translate