Education networks are under more pressure than ever.
Over the past few years, the number of devices connecting across education environments has grown rapidly. Bringing with it a level of complexity that many IT teams simply didn’t have to deal with before. From staff laptops and student devices to printers, smart boards and guest access, today’s networks are constantly evolving and becoming increasingly difficult to manage.
So, what are the biggest device access challenges in education right now?
The Sheer Number of Devices
Not long ago, many education environments were primarily working with managed desktop computers in IT suites or offices. Today, that environment looks completely different. Staff are working on laptops, students are often bringing their own devices, and classrooms are making use of tablets and smart technology as part of everyday learning.
On top of this, there are printers, displays and other connected devices that also rely on the network. As a result, many organisations in the education sector are now supporting hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of devices connecting every single day. Each of these devices needs to be managed, monitored and supported, which significantly increases the demand on networks and IT teams.
Lack of Visibility
With so many devices connecting and disconnecting throughout the day, maintaining clear visibility becomes a major challenge. IT teams are often faced with limited insight into what is actually connected to the network at any given time.
Some devices are organisation-managed, while others belong to students or visitors, and many may only connect temporarily. Without a clear view of the network, it becomes much harder to maintain control, understand activity, and quickly identify devices that should not be there.
Controlling Access
Another key challenge is ensuring that devices only have access to what they need. Not every device should be able to reach the same systems or resources.
Maintaining this separation is essential for both security and performance. This is also reflected in guidance from the Department for Education, which emphasises that users should only have access to the systems and data they need for their role. Applying this principle helps reduce risk by limiting the potential impact if a device or account is compromised. However, enforcing access policies consistently across a large and constantly changing environment can be difficult, particularly when devices are frequently connecting and disconnecting.
Managing Guest Access and BYOD
Guest access and bring-your-own-device environments are now common across the education sector. Visitors, contractors and external partners often require temporary access to the network, while students may use personal devices to support their learning.
Providing this level of flexibility while maintaining strong network security can be a delicate balance. IT teams need to ensure that users can connect easily when required, without exposing the wider network to unnecessary risk or compromising sensitive systems.
Limited IT Resources
Finally, many organisations in the education sector are managing increasingly complex networks with limited IT resources. IT teams are often responsible for a wide range of tasks, from supporting staff and students to maintaining infrastructure and resolving technical issues.
As networks grow and device numbers increase, it becomes more challenging to manage everything manually. This makes it more important than ever to have solutions in place that simplify network management and reduce the time and effort required to keep everything running smoothly.
Looking Ahead
If these challenges sound familiar, you are certainly not alone. Organisations across the education sector are facing similar pressures as networks continue to grow and evolve.
This is where solutions such as Network Access Control (NAC) can play a key role, helping IT teams improve visibility, manage access more effectively, and regain control over the devices connecting to their networks.
In our upcoming webinar, we will be joined by experts from Extreme Networks to explore how their NAC solutions can support organisations in addressing these challenges. If you would like to learn more, register now.
