Why Schools Need a Network Firewall

As an educator, you have a profound responsibility to guide and shape the next generation of bright, curious minds. Your goal is to empower students to become wise adults, capable of overcoming the challenges of an ever-changing world.

The Increasing Cybersecurity Risks for Schools and How to Overcome Them

As schools adopt new learning initiatives such as online learning, cloud based systems, and integrate mobile and IoT devices into their networks, cybersecurity risks are also increasing. 

Cyber criminals are now targeting schools, exploiting aging networks, legacy security, and a lack of awareness of cyber threats by students and staff. 

These security challenges, combined with the need for physical surveillance measures, compliance with regulations, and limited budgets, create a complex landscape for IT teams to navigate.

We know that many schools have tried to tackle the issue by using multiple products, but that often results in complicated and hard-to-manage systems. The good news is that there is a solution: Fortinet's Security Fabric and Next Generation Firewalls. 

Safeguarding Your School's IT Infrastructure: The Power of Network Firewalls

Thankfully, a specialized school firewall can provide the protection you need to keep your school safe and running smoothly. By safeguarding against cyber threats, a reliable firewall ensures uninterrupted access to vital resources and helps you focus on what matters most - your students. Let technology be a tool that empowers rather than hinders, and watch as your students thrive under your guidance.

Implementing a robust network firewall with web filtering capabilities is crucial for educational institutions, from K-12 to higher education, to protect their students. By doing so, schools can ensure a safer online environment and prevent access to potentially harmful content.

State and federal laws require schools to monitor and filter students' web usage, and for good reason.

The internet is a vast and often dangerous place, filled with malware and phishing scams that can exploit the vulnerabilities of young students. 

With a management system that includes web and content filtering, schools can prevent access to blocked websites and ensure that students are not exposed to harmful content. It's not just about blocking inappropriate content; a network firewall can also prevent students from accessing distracting websites, such as social media, during school hours. This helps students stay focused on their studies and maximizes their learning potential.

Moreover, a network firewall can provide an additional layer of security against online threats that may compromise the school's IT system. While students are generally well-behaved, they may inadvertently engage in inappropriate online behavior that can pose a risk to the school's network. A reliable firewall is the security solution that you need to prevent such activities, protecting the school's network and its students from potential harm.

Streamlining Your IT Network for Optimal Efficiency and Cost Savings

Have you also considered the high price of NOT having a school firewall? Your school's IT network will be more at risk of cyber-attacks that can compromise sensitive data, disrupt critical systems, and lead to costly repairs. 

Repair costs can strain your school's budget, causing financial stress and preventing much-needed improvements to school facilities. In addition, downtime resulting from cyber-attacks can lead to lost instructional time for students, causing frustration and setting back academic progress.

How a Network Firewall Empowers Teachers and School Staff to Work Unhindered

Information technology plays a crucial role in running a school district, from the classroom to the principal's office. Whether it's taking attendance, using interactive tools in class, reviewing student records, or managing school operations, every aspect of education involves some form of technology.

However, when IT problems arise, they can significantly disrupt daily operations, causing lesson plans to halt, department meetings to stall, and overall productivity to suffer. Therefore, ensuring an efficient IT network through a reliable network firewall is key to maintaining a well-run school.

Moreover, school staff are not just educators, but also employees with personal information stored on school devices. Like any employer, a school must protect its staff from potential cyber threats, safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access. By implementing a robust network firewall, the administration can assure its staff that their safety and security are a top priority.

Akins IT: Your Ultimate School Firewall Solution from Fortinet

Akins IT is partnered with Fortinet one of the leading firewall infrastructures solution providers for schools in the market today. Fortinet offers an open and flexible platform that utilizes its Security Fabric technology, making management and protection easier. The firewall supports SD-Branch, which allows for secure networking to each campus and controls access for known and unknown devices. 

Additionally, the firewall features single-pane-of-glass management, which simplifies security management and network administration, and reduces complexity by unifying multiple physical and cybersecurity functions under a single console. 

Other features include:

• Inside threat prevention with intelligent segmentation
• Protects against potential insider threats
• Controls access with FortiNAC
• Automates threat responses with FortiDeceptor
• Offers threat intelligence with FortiGuard Labs
• Continuous updates to Fortinet Security Fabric
• Four times more patents than competitors
• Consistently earns top scores in third-party tests
• "Recommended" ratings in various tests
• Regularly certified by ICSA Labs, Virus Bulletin, etc.

Invest in Top-of-the-Line Network Security!

Don't leave your school's IT network vulnerable to cyber-attacks and physical threats. Partner with Akins IT. We offer the best firewall for schools around and work with clients to custom fit their IT protection to their needs.

Our architecture is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of public and private schools, allowing security teams to save valuable time and resources while delivering high-performance networking capabilities and industry-leading security. With Fortinet, you can have true end-to-end protection that keeps your students safe and your school's operations running smoothly.

Don't wait until a security breach disrupts your school's daily operations and puts student and staff data at risk. Give Akins IT a call today. Learn how we can help you secure your school's IT network with ease and confidence.