Triple Crown Technology is here to help schools and school districts looking to go to a remote learning environment at this time. Here are a few things to consider.
Your Jive phone system could be useful in keeping teachers/staff connected since you can take those devices home, plug them into any Internet and they will still work as a system. So your auto attendant can direct calls and you can dial extensions, etc. Should work identically to all being on-site.
Most likely for connecting computers back to your servers you will be looking at using Remote Desktop or VPN connections. First, don’t use Remote Desktop. (RDP) It is full of security holes and is a bad solution. VPN connections are great, but you may find limitations that impact overall performance and usability.
Your VPN connections have to terminate at a device to handle them. Most often this is the Firewall or an edge router. Generally, this is configured and designed for a moderate number of active connections – like 10-20, not 100’s.
There may be a license limit to look at. Also, the device will probably have performance issues and this could affect its ability to move data, or if the firewall, handles its security functions. A given device can only do so much!
Suggestion, one solution is to set up Open VPN on a server behind your firewall. This is a free service that works well. You can offload the VPN duties which will let the firewall do its job and the overall solution will work better without spending a fortune.
The security environment will get much worse. With so many outside devices exposed and connected inside, there are more vectors to attack. Even other devices on the home networks can be used to attack the home network and then work on the other devices. A good Endpoint Security solution is needed to keep the invading hoard at bay. Note, none of the commercially available virus/malware protection programs are adequate. If it can be bought with a credit card, the BAD GUYS have already bought it and have figured out how to exploit it. This is a fact.
I have a great endpoint solution from a government certified vendor who does not openly sell it. They normally have a long term contract but for the time being, are willing to do month to month services. They are one of the best and would also do a conference call to discuss the issue with you. Please call 833-821-7105 today!