Discover what it means to be connected to one of the most advanced research and education networks in the world.

In this Jisc explainer’s episode of Tech Takes, we dive into the incredible capabilities of the Janet Network with two of Jisc’s network experts: Emma Taylor, head of delivery, and Neil Shewry, director of networks.

Learn about the benefits of being part of a National Research and Education Network (NREN) and how the Janet Network supports members across the United Kingdom.

Show notes

• Learn more about the power of the Janet Network
• Book your place at Networkshop 2025
• Find out more and register for TNC 2025  
• Join our cyber and cloud community groups
• Subscribe to our Headlines newsletter, which has all the latest news, guidance and events tailored to you

Director of AI at Jisc, Michael Webb, leads a panel of experts to explore the use of artificial intelligence within cybersecurity live at Security Conference 2024.

With the future of AI in cybersecurity poised for existential growth and innovation, this episode will explore how we navigate this exciting and challenging landscape, how AI will become increasingly integral to cybersecurity strategies, and how we can seize the substantial opportunities it presents to cyber defenders, whilst identifying the risks.

Michael Webb is joined by Clare Johnson, ITSUS head of capability and founder of Women in Cyber Wales, Mark Watts, associate director of cyber security at University of Southampton, and Jisc colleague Rebecca Flook, innovation developer in AI. 

Show notes

Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

Join our artificial intelligence community to share your expertise and experiences

Discover the Women in Cyber Wales community

Explore upcoming Jisc events

Exploring how our managed SD-WAN service can help you meet the challenges of blended learning.

Join Guy Easterbrook, director of products (networks), Jen Parry, innovation consultant, and Richard Jackson, head of cloud security, as they explain the ins and outs of the managed SD-WAN service in this episode of Jisc explainers, a mini-series of the Tech Takes podcast.

You’ll also get a sneak peek into what you can expect in the upcoming iterations of the service.

Show notes

• Interested in how managed SD-WAN can help you? Contact your relationship manager or make a customer enquiry
• Subscribe to our Headlines newsletter, which has all the latest news, guidance and events tailored to you

James Hodgkin and Jim Keane discuss what the future holds for learning analytics in education.

 In this episode of Jisc explainers, a mini-series of the Tech takes podcast, Jisc’s James Hodgkin is joined by Jim Keane to discuss learning analytics.

Both our presenters discuss their experiences of working in learning analytics and both deploying and building a new platform. They discuss how the data collected can help staff detect early signs of issues, allowing for timely interventions.

The conversation moves on to reflect on Jisc’s role in assisting institutions in setting up effective learning analytics systems, and considers what the future holds for using data to support student wellbeing and success.

Show notes

Enhance your students’ experience and get the insights to make data-led interventions with Jisc

Learn more about the data analytics services offered by Jisc

Hear from our members at Networkshop 2024 to learn how they approach challenges, industry trends and prepare for the future.

At this year’s Networkshop, we interviewed attendees from Northampton College, Loughborough University, the University of Leeds, SOAS University of London, and UCLAN. We first asked our members why they attend Jisc events such as Networkshop and the key benefits of attending.

It was clear that learning about key challenges and trends within the industry is a significant factor for our members. We asked our interviewees which trends specifically interest them and why. We then discussed the Janet network and asked how it empowers their students and staff.

Next, we asked our members to discuss their key challenges, with the common responses being around capacity and cyber security. Considering these challenges and current trends, we also asked our interviewees to look into the future and predict what trends and challenges we will be discussing in the years ahead.

Show Notes

Discover the connectivity services showcased at Networkshop

Check out our digital brochure for next generation networking

Book your place for Security Conference 2024 this November

Episode Host

Joe Allan

Marketing and communications officer

We chat with Alex Goffe, director of campus technology services at the University of Manchester, about their 2030 network vision and recently established IT operations centre (ITOC).

Alex talks about network challenges they faced at the university and how they're tackling those issues. From implementing user experience insights sensors to establishing the ITOC, a 24/7 monitoring centre that provides comprehensive support. He also shares insights into what has worked well for those looking at implementing similar initiatives.

We then look ahead to their network 2030 vision, aimed at further improving the university's network infrastructure.

In our very first episode of this new limited podcast series, Jisc Explainers, we’re diving into Jisc's session border controller service.

Host, Michael McFarlane, deputy director, network operations, is joined by Sam Neate, voice solutions engineer, to explain what our session border controller service entails. Sam talks us through how the session border controller works, and why it’s needed; from getting you ready for the big analogue switch-off in 2025 to transforming your telephony.

What is Jisc Explainers? A new limited edition podcast series designed to explain complex Jisc products and services in a comprehensive and easy to understand way.

We’re joined by Matthew Cranfield, Head of IT at Croydon College, to discuss their journey through cyber essentials certification. 

Matthew explains Croydon College’s reasoning for acquiring cyber essentials certification and explores the challenges faced along the way. Cyber essentials are vital to ensure security precautions are in place and critical for reputation and compliance. Matthew discusses how the guidance and advice Jisc provided aided Croydon College during the process of achieving certification.

He moves on to reflect on what he and Croydon College have learnt as part of the cyber essentials process and what is next for the college. 

During this episode of the Tech takes podcast, we chat with Jason Oliver, Director of IT, and Claire Gryce, Deputy Director of IT, both of the University of Sussex.

Jason and Claire explore the relationship and challenges that exist between research communities and the provision of IT services centrally. They also delve into the importance of developing a  culture around digital transformation. We then move into discussing how digital was key for collaboration during the pandemic and how necessary digital skills are.

Together they conclude by discussing staff retention and recruitment, as well as the impact and challenges that exist around cyber security.

In this episode, host Andy Powell chats with Dimitra Simeonidou, Professor at the University of Bristol, co-director of the Bristol Digital Futures Institute and director of Smart Internet Lab, about the future of 5G and 6G connectivity.

Dimitra explains how 5G has caused digital transformation and revolution, and how 6G will enable great advances such as smart cities and kick off another generation of innovation. She also considers ethics and digital accountability, and how we need to innovate responsibly for the future. We also delve into areas such as the Metaverse and immersive living, and how this could impact our future.

We conclude with a look into the near future with smart cities, smart universities, and smart campuses and how infrastructure is key to offer end users the many benefits these innovations can provide.