Data Networks
A data network refers to a digital network of telecommunications that permits the sharing or resources between nodes. Data networks allow computing devices to exchange data amongst each other, utilising the connections that exist between data links. These links can be established through cable media, for example optic cables or wires, or through wireless media, for example Wi-Fi.
About Australian Schools and data security
Australian schools face grave threats to data security, threats that are not faced by businesses or other organisations. Schools have to deal with granting access to students and teachers.The former can range from five years of age to adults. Young school kids usually don’t face the legal consequences that adults face in case they access networks that they are not authorized to, whether it be purposefully or by accident. Additionally, students have a propensity towards not fully grasping the gravity of the threats to security that their schools’ networks are susceptible to, making them likelier to make use of unsecured networks, downloading infected files and exposing the devices of the school to malware. The decentralized approach adopted by many schools is another cause of serious problems, creating a multitude of networks, each needing protection. There is a burning need in schools for efficient data network security.
Importance of data network security
Fibre Breakdowns
Fibre optic cables provide the least expensive and fastest way of transmitting and sharing data. But fibre breaks are inevitable every now and then. Road accidents, floods, lightning strikes and civil works can cause fibre breaks to happen. Network diversity can help in avoiding single points of failure.
Cloud networks
An increasing number of schools are using public or private cloud services to back up their data, protecting it in case of a disaster scenario, some moving their production services to the cloud as well. Schools need to keep their essential services running no matter what, essential services like content and learning management systems, school information systems and email, services without which the schools’ businesses would suffer. The leaders of the schools have to know what their schools’ tolerance is for losing their connection to these essential services in term time.
Network Security
For many schools, network security isn’t an option, it’s a necessity. A good network security system in schools will feature other security measures such as anti-virus protection, firewalls, encryption, password protection, and the latest upgrades and patches.
Secured Educational Networks
Securing a school’s educational networks carries many advantages, protecting the school’s essential data and services.
Low exposure to risk
The risk associated with compromised data security has some serious implications for schools. It can result in them missing deadlines due to a failure of their communication systems, loss of reputation, lost productivity, and it can result in adversely impacting the learning and teaching processes. Australian schools today employ critical services that run in and out 24/7, owing to uninterrupted connections. Data network security significantly diminishes the risk of these services being interrupted.
Take away!
At BizQuip, we understand the importance of data network security for schools and offer a variety of cost-effective network diversity configurations to increase resilience for schools in many areas.