WatchGuard Optimises Wi-Fi Network at Val do Rio Professional School
Val do Rio Professional School is now equipped to cope with intensive use of network resources, while ensuring the security and connection speed required for e-learning operations and remote user access
With more than 30 years of existence, Val do Rio Professional School (EPVR) felt the need to renew its infrastructure, increasing the capacity of mobile access via VPN, reinforcing Internet content filtering and centralising network management for its two sites (Oeiras and Estoril).
The objective was to have a Wi-Fi network scaled to the needs of the centre and adapted to the type of use and density of users. In addition to the high density of users on the network, which motivated the need to provide faster and fluid access, there was also the important issue of ensuring that this same access is made properly and securely by users, respecting the pre-established access policies. At the same time, it was a key factor to have Wi-Fi network security capable of automatically detecting and preventing the most common categories of attacks without ever compromising performance.
The solution
EPVR entrusted SysOne, WatchGuard's Silver Partner in Portugal, with the implementation of this project due to its in-depth knowledge of the market, its experience and proven technical expertise.
The acquisition included a WatchGuard high availability solution, consisting of two units of the Firebox M370 firewall appliance configured for redundancy, and intended to replace the current WatchGuard M300 model.
These appliances are part of WatchGuard's award-winning Firebox security platform. The platform not only offers the industry's most complete set of unified security controls, but also provides solutions to address new and evolving network threats, including advanced malware and ransomware. Its unique product architecture allows small and medium-sized businesses to benefit from best-in-class security services - from URL filtering and intrusion prevention to application control and ransomware prevention, without the cost and complexity of having multiple endpoint solutions.
The acquisition was also made of 16 new WatchGuard Access Points, model AP325, an internal access point equipped with multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), allowing multiple devices to connect at the same time, which improves the experience of everyone connecting to the protected Wi-Fi network.
"WatchGuard's central concern is the security of its customers and, when we're talking about students, that concern is even more pressing. We also want our customers to have solutions in place that 'stand alone', with simplified, automated and centralised management, so they can focus on their core business," said Carlos Vieira, Country Manager for WatchGuard Portugal.
The results
With the solutions in place, the school now has advanced security features as part of the three-year Total Security Suite subscription, namely intrusion prevention services, application control, antivirus, spam blocking, malicious web content blocking, reputation defence, data loss prevention, advanced persistent threat (APT) blocker and threat detection and response, among others, protecting the school 24×7 from today's sophisticated cyber threat landscape.
The Wi-Fi network provided by WatchGuard has provided more stability and scalability to the wireless IT infrastructure, significantly improving the level of security of the connections.
"WatchGuard advocates and delivers a trusted wireless environment, a resource that serves as a guide that organisations and solution providers can use to develop Wi-Fi services that offer market-leading performance, scalable management and proven, comprehensive security features," emphasises Hugo Tomé, Owner of SysOne.
For Pedro Rebelo, Technical Director of the Escola Profissional Val do Rio, "we have a network prepared not only for the digital transformation process that education must embrace today, but also for the current scenario of cyber threats, ensuring the protection of employees and students".