Providing Cost-Effective Solutions and Services to the K-12 Community

Along with serving member institutions in higher education, government, and healthcare, Edge has been developing close relationships with New Jersey’s K-12 school districts since 2003, helping to further the technological, innovative footprint throughout the state. This ongoing partnership with over one hundred K-12 member institutions has opened new doors to a wide range of technological systems, tools, and solutions. “As a nonprofit technology provider, our K-12 members can take advantage of our consortium pricing and a range of technological tools and solutions, including consulting with our Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), VMware virtualization software licensing, cybersecurity services, and CIO and Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) services on a shared-service basis,” says Michelle Ferraro, Member Account Manager, Edge. “With K-12 budgets in mind, we provide free Edge membership for schools and offer flexible and customizable solutions that are affordable and fit the needs and goals of the K-12 community.”

Tackling Cybersecurity Challenges
With a new school year well underway, many districts are still trying to navigate the diverse challenges that arose during the pandemic and how they can maintain a flexible and dynamic teaching-learning model going forward. “Some of the hot button issues we’re seeing in the K-12 space include providing flexibility in learning modalities, offering hybrid options, and enhancing mobility for staff and students, especially in the event of another temporary shutdown,” says Erin Brink, Member Account Manager, Edge. “Cybersecurity has become an urgent issue as K-12 districts are experiencing ransomware and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks in greater numbers and most districts do not have the staffing resources to combat these attacks.”

“Edge is working closely with districts to proactively assess their cybersecurity posture, provide vCISO resources to address the vulnerabilities based on National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and update policies and procedures to better prepare for a potential cyberattack,” continues Brink. “We are also providing ongoing cybersecurity scans to the districts that have a greater security posture, but need a monthly external check to keep current of any changes that may increase risk.”

A well-rounded approach to cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important for every institution of education. “Schools need to have a holistic cybersecurity strategy, especially now that technology and connectivity permeate nearly all facets of life,” says Ferraro. “Edge helps our community improve their cyber defenses as quickly and affordably as possible. Our security approach begins with a cybersecurity assessment conducted by our CISO. This assessment is necessary to identify an organization’s vulnerabilities and prioritize the risks. Our CISO will then put together a plan to make sure our schools are protected. Many K-12 institutions do not have the budget for a CISO, so Edge offers a shared service where our schools can use our CISO virtually for a set number of hours per month.”

Supporting Digital Transformation
Edge works with school districts and boards of education of all sizes throughout the state. While each group has its own distinct characteristics and objectives, many share a similar goal of trying to keep pace with changing technology in a cost-effective and practical way. “The common thread we see throughout all school districts is finding ways to become future-ready with limited resources,” shares Brink. “Our goal is to provide cost-saving alternatives that help enhance digital transformation and deliver the most current learning technologies for students and staff.”

Ferraro says Edge taps into its extensive experience in information technology to help institutions utilize learning technology effectively and ensure students are achieving the most value from their educational experiences. “Nearly every district struggles with budgets that are stretched thin, so our goal is to put best-in-class partnerships and solutions within reach and create a community of advocates who can guide and support each other through digital transformation. With districts feeling the pressure to migrate to the Cloud, Edge is now providing Cloud Assessments that detail a roadmap to achieve a successful migration. This is a new service that provides an expert cloud resource to focus on the challenges and provide guidance to districts that want to further their digital transformation.”

Edge has also noted an increase in the need for networking engineers. “We have now added staff to help our members with these tasks,” says Brink. “To ease the burden of the procurement process and speed our members’ time to implementation and innovation, EdgeMarket enables Edge to deliver consortium purchasing agreements to members. Edge looks to curate the most valuable technologies at the best price points, and through EdgeMarket, our K-12 members can gain access to current technologies at an affordable price and minimize the time spent researching, analyzing, and procuring essential tools. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities of the education community, and whether a district needs solutions, skills, or a guiding hand, you can count on us to help your organization transform the learning experience.”

Looking to gain access to today’s most current technologies at an affordable price? Connect with Michelle or Erin via michelle.ferraro@njedge.net or erin.brink@njedge.net