This team’s dedication to safety is not just a job; it’s a passion. They understand that every decision they make, every system they implement, and every policy they enforce directly impacts the well-being of the students in their care. This commitment is what drives them to continuously innovate, seeking out the best communication tools and technologies to stay ahead of any potential threats.

With the rapid adoption of cloud environments, IoT devices, and remote workforces, the attack surface of many organizations has grown exponentially. Each new system or endpoint introduces potential vulnerabilities that need to be identified, managed, and mitigated. This expanded attack surface makes it difficult to track all the moving parts, leaving organizations vulnerable to breaches.

The first line of defense in any robust IT infrastructure is controlling who can physically access critical hardware and data centers. Implementing security measures like biometric authentication, RFID badges, and access control systems drastically reduces the risk of unauthorized entry. This is particularly crucial for preventing insider threats and external breaches that could lead to data theft or system tampering.

On-premises communication systems often require managing separate platforms for phone, email, video conferencing, and instant messaging. This fragmentation creates operational inefficiencies that slow down workflows. Employees waste time switching between tools, leading to delays in communication and collaboration. The risk of staying with outdated systems is that your team will continue to operate with these silos, ultimately reducing productivity and making it harder to compete in fast-paced markets.

Despite these benefits, many organizations are still hesitant to make the move.

One of the primary advantages of adopting managed services is cost efficiency. By outsourcing IT functions, K-12 schools can reduce operational and capital expenditures. Managed services providers (MSPs) such as C1, help schools lower costs associated with network management, device maintenance, and security, eliminating the need for costly in-house IT staff or frequent technology upgrades.

One significant challenge organizations encounter is the management and maintenance of network security infrastructure. Many businesses do not have the in-house expertise or resources required to operate and manage complex firewall systems effectively. Deploying, configuring, and continually updating these systems to protect against the latest threats demands a level of technical proficiency and time investment that can strain internal IT teams.

It’s valuable funding that your organization could put to very good use to protect students, administrators, parents and other stakeholders. But there’s a lot of information to digest. Here’s our high-level breakdown of the 7 things you need to know now.