Koala IT partnering with Friendly WiFi to support their school network
Koala IT take pride in supporting and helping schools with a breadth of IT solutions to enable them to deliver key services to their students. This is in addition to providing staff with a platform for them to excel in their roles or teaching.
Their focus, in today’s digital world, has been providing schools with a friendly, efficient, and reliable services for all things IT – at a price that doesn’t break the bank. Koala IT have an enviable team who between them have over 60 years combined experience, providing:-
BROADBAND - Providing low cost future-proofed broadband connections (FTTP / SoGEA / Leased Lines) with Friendly WiFi certification and advanced filtering as standard.
WIFI - DfE-approved, managed WiFI networks (working with the DfE as part of the 'Connect the Classroom' project) that are eco-efficient, ultrafast and secure. Providing a free WiFi survey supported with Aruba, Ruckus, Cisco Meraki and Unifi equipment as necessary. Installations across single or multi-site and with wireless bridging to external buildings.
BACKUP - Provide Cloud backup solutions for servers and other local devices which covers the latest DfE requirements. These also cover MS 365 and Google Workspace.
INTERNET PHONE SYSTEMS - Provide bespoke VOIP systems to schools, with free surveys.
VARIETY - Cover multiple types of establishments - from small single-form entry rural schools to multi-academy trusts and SEN schools.
They operate as a passionate team, wanting to do the very best for the schools they support with a focus on quality and reliability. They constantly evaluate the solutions they provide to ensure they are fit for purpose for the education sector and the ever-changing landscape of legislation and regulation.
Koala IT believe in the protection of children online, driving their decision to become a Friendly WiFi Approved Provider. This demonstrates their commitment to providing services that meet the minimum filtering levels required for their schools to meet the Friendly WiFi certification standards.
However, Koala IT wanted to go further than just being an Approved Provider and took the proactive steps to forge a closer partnership with Friendly WiFi which also supports the compliance with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023 and enabling their schools to be compliant.
Koala IT have integrated a solution in to their services. This provides:-
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023 (KCSiE) compliant.
Blocking of Illegal online content using IWF and UK Home Office and Met Police CTIRU URL lists.
Inability of filters for illegal content to be disabled by school staff.
Blocking of inappropriate content using applied “category” filters. Filter categories include keywords/phrases, URLs and domains of over the top one million websites globally and growing.
Can show block and allow lists in policies and can submit any websites for inclusion in filtering categories.
Can transparently proxy select websites on demand, allowing detection of cyberbullying, suicide, and violence, on social media websites such while providing fast URL filtering on the rest of the traffic on any device, anywhere.
Audit logs - Keeps a record of each instance when an admin or teacher allows a site.
To further support their schools, they also provide the Friendly WiFi certification directly to the schools who opt for the above service. Each of their schools can carry the Friendly WiFi safe certification symbol on their website, WiFi landing pages and supplied with a certificate and signage to show pupils, parents and staff that there is a commitment and compliance to keep all users safe online.
At Friendly WiFi, the step by Koala IT is applauded and shows their passion and commitment to providing the best service to their schools and their positive attitude to online safety. They took this proactive step prior to the new regulations – KCSiE, late 2023.
If you are responsible for the ICT services in a school and are looking for a new solution, take a look at the services provided by Koala IT with the added benefit of the Friendly WiFi certification. Join their growing list of satisfied schools who use their services.
To find out more informaiton visit the Koala IT website here
