Survey Partners
Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools and Colleges Survey Report 2016 Contents
The Survey 3 Survey Methodology and Respondents Profile 4 Key Findings 6 Conclusion 11 Appendix 1 - Full Survey Questions 12 Appendix 2 - Participating Organisations 23
Acknowledgements
The survey team at iGov Survey would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who were kind enough to take part - and especially to those who found the time to offer additional insight through their extra comments. We would also like to thank our survey partner, WatchGuard, for their assistance in compiling the survey questions, in scrutinising the responses and analysing the subsequent results.
Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools and Colleges 2016 is © copyright iGov Survey. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all rights including those in copyright in the content of this publication are owned by or controlled for these purposes by iGov Survey.
Except as otherwise expressly permitted under copyright law or iGov Survey’s Terms of Use, the content of this publication are owned by or controlled may not be copied, reproduced, republished, downloaded, posted, broadcast or transmitted in any way without first obtaining iGov Survey’s written permission or that of the copyright owner.
To contact the iGov Survey team: Email: [email protected] Tel: 0845 094 8567 Address: FAO David Cross, Ingenium IDS Ltd, Mansion House, Wellington Road South, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 3UA
Page 2 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges The Survey
During the last year, schools and colleges of further education have been made aware of new requirements for them to put in place ‘strengthened measures’ to protect students from harm online. These measures are designed to create an environment of better on- campus monitoring and to reinforce the prevention of threats, including cyber bullying, pornography and to help reduce the risk of radicalisation.
In light of this growing responsibility, our Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools and Colleges 2016 survey was designed to examine how UK schools and colleges currently manage the safety of their pupils and staff when they access online resources via their network.
The central aim of the survey was to take the temperature of current practices among Britain’s educators - and to try to determine what, if anything, is currently considered as ‘best practice’ across the country.
With this aim, we worked with experts from integrated network security providers at WatchGuard Technologies, to examine network safety and Wi-Fi management trends across schools and colleges of further education. We have now collated the resulting outcomes and the following report contains a summary of our survey panel’s key findings.
Page 3 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges Survey Methodology and Respondents Profile
This survey was conducted by iGov Survey in collaboration with WatchGuard. The project ran between Tuesday 5th April 2016 and Monday 25th April 2016.
282 individuals from 265 unique organisations participated in the survey, each of whom will have received a complimentary copy of this complete findings report. There was no inducement to take part in the survey, and WatchGuard was not introduced as the survey partner.
Survey respondents represented a broad cross-section of seniority levels across school and college leadership teams. The roles of those who who responded included: Headmaster, Headmistress, Deputy Head, IT Operations Manager, Network Manager, School Business Manager, Senior Deputy Head, Bursar, Finance & Operations Director, Director of IT, Vice Principal Learning & Quality and Head of Information Systems.
The results displayed throughout this report are based on those who fully completed the questionnaire and are displayed as a percentage, unless otherwise stated.
Participants: Breakdown by Sector
21%
Colleges of FE 1% Multi Academy Trusts 54% Schools Independent Secondary Schools 24%
Page 4 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges Key Findings
Just 25% of survey participants are currently restricting the level of bandwidth that is used per student, per device within their school or college - whilst over half (51%) have no plans to introduce this in the future
This suggests that, despite the risks that outbound communications and usage can pose, many schools and colleges are very much focussed on the inbound access to their network, with 86% confident that they were already using a robust web-filtering online safety tool. Whilst this highlights a good understanding of protection against risks such as viruses and malware, it also suggests a lack of awareness of the severity of outbound risks including; the leakage of sensitive documents and information, cyber bullying originating from within the school, and the possibility of reputational damage.
Question: Which of the following are you either looking to introduce or are already using in your school or college? Already in use Plan to introduce No plans to introduce Don’t know
Deploy a more robust web- filtering online safety tool
Enhance our control of access to inappropriate content
Secure our organisation’s wireless access
Monitoring of our organisation’s wireless access
Restricting how much bandwidth is used per student per device
Restricting what data can be sent outside our network
Selectively restrict internet access in real time
Define what our organisation regards as ‘inappropriate’ content
Restricting ‘inappropriate’ content for different users
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Page 5 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges Nearly half (45%) of respondents reported their organisation as having direct responsibility for their own network safety set-up, via an in-house solution
The rest of the respondents (55%) reported that the network safety solution in their school or college was either the responsibility of:
• A standing external, private provider (29%) • Their local Council (15%) • Via a ‘bespoke’ arrangement (9%)
Question: Who is currently responsible for providing and 2% 9% 15% operating your network safety solution?
A local authority provider An external private provider An in-house solution 29% We have a bespoke arrangement 45% Don't know
A further small proportion (2%) said that they either didn’t know, or preferred not to say.
Interestingly, this suggests that a trend of migration away from dependence on Local Government legacy provision has been underway for the last few years, with almost twice as many respondents opting to work alongside an external provider and many bringing their solution in-house.
As a result however, organisations are now faced with the responsibility of finding a balance between the need for easy, quick access to their networks and the safeguarding of children and data.
Page 6 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges Almost a third of participants (27%) have been using their current Wi-Fi and network safety solution for at least four years
With the growing sophistication of cyber attacks and the constantly changing environment of technology, the security of networks depends on the safety solution’s ability to deal with modern threats. Our results then suggest that many organisations are still utilising out-of-date technology that may not be able to effectively respond to the latest threats.
Question: Roughly how long have you been using your current: Network safety solution and Wi-Fi network? Less than a year Around a year 1-2 years 2-3 years 3-4 years 4+ years Don't know
Network safety solution
Wi-Fi network
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Page 7 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges As might be expected, the vast majority of responding schools and colleges (92%) said they used their Wi-Fi for general internet browsing
56% of responding schools and colleges said they used it for the provision of electronic textbooks, with 34% making use of their Wi-Fi to enable online ‘chat’ services.
A high proportion of schools and colleges - based on these respondents - report their use of Wi-Fi to provide video services for staff and students. This is either specifically YouTube (a clear leader with 69%, although it must be remembered that this was the only online video provider that was singled out in our survey as its own category) and/or other video services (with 47% reporting using them).
Question: What does your school or college currently use its Wi-Fi network for? Please tick all that apply.
Electronic textbooks
Online chat services
Forums & discussion boards
General internet browsing
YouTube
Other video services
Don't know
Other
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Page 8 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges The vast majority (79%) of survey participants stated that their organisation currently stores their data on-premise
Of this group, 14% reported that this was stored all in one location, whilst most (65%) told us that they stored data across multiple different systems and/or locations.
In contrast, just 5% reported that they stored their data in an off-premise only solution, whilst 22% currently use a Cloud solution.
Question: Currently, how does your organisation store data? Please tick all that apply.
On premise - in one location
On premise - multiple systems/ locations
On premise and additional storage provided by an external supplier
Off premise only solution
Via a hybrid solution
Via a Cloud solution
Don’t know
0% 14% 28% 42% 56% 70%
Page 9 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges Conclusion by Mike Pencavel, Channel Account Manager at WatchGuard Technologies
Over the past twelve months, new requirements have been placed on schools and colleges in the UK to better monitor internet use on campus. This network safety and Wi- Fi management in schools and colleges survey highlighted the current landscape in light of these regulations, in addition to identifying areas that could be improved.
Whilst it is encouraging to see that almost all (97%) of the schools and colleges that responded looked to prevent access to inappropriate online content, it is somewhat telling that only three in five (61%) are providing regular training to ensure all staff have expertise into the safe use of the new technologies open to them.
This points towards a continuing gulf between IT and the faculty in general, and a need for better communication between the two.
The survey also produced some interesting insights into the ways schools and colleges prioritise their web-filtering, monitoring of content, access and general adoption of online safety tools.
As the ‘unplugged’ trend gathers momentum, the need to secure and monitor wireless access, in particular, is increasingly coming to the fore. 87% of schools and colleges currently secure their wireless access, with a further 10% planning to introduce such measures. In addition, 71% are currently monitoring wireless access on campus and a further 17% planning to introduce monitoring capabilities in the future.
Schools and colleges are using their Wi-Fi network to provide not just general internet browsing (26%), but a plethora of activities such as electronic textbooks (16%), social forums/discussion boards (11%) and video services such as YouTube (19%). However, only three in ten (29%) are very confident that pupils and staff are currently using their Wi-Fi network safely.
Integration of this Wi-Fi into the wider networking estate is providing troublesome for many. Worryingly, only 42% of the schools and colleges we surveyed reported that they were ‘very confident’ that their Wi-Fi network integrated well with their existing network safety solution.
With the mountain of data showing no sign of abating, it is somewhat surprising that only a quarter (25%) of schools and colleges are restricting how much bandwidth is being used per student and device, with over half (51%) reporting that they have no plans to introduce such measures in the foreseeable future.
Educational establishments today hold a wealth of sensitive data, such as medical records and financial information on pupils and staff alike, as such, the Data Protection Act places stringent obligations to hold this personal data securely. Yet despite this, far more than half (62%) of schools and colleges who responded, surprisingly reported that they currently don’t place formal restrictions on what is being sent outside their network.
Page 10 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges Despite increasingly stringent regulations, the responsibility for securing the network is increasingly being taken in-house. Whilst 15% of schools and colleges rely on a local authority provider and 29% an external provider, almost half (44.5%) of respondents reported their organisation as having direct responsibility for their own network safety set-up via an in-house solution.
In conclusion, IT administers at schools and colleges need to better understand the movements of data within their Wi-Fi enabled education establishments. They need to better control internet and data usage by user, and granularly control device access to a network that is increasingly wireless.
They also need to better educate pupils and staff alike of correct usage. With the correct solution, IT administrators can monitor pupils and staffs digital behaviour and usage of applications, and apply policies where applicable to keep pupils and staff safe, and the educational establishment compliant.
Contact Us: Mike Pencavel Channel Account Manager WatchGuard Technologies [email protected]
Page 11 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges Appendix 1: Full Survey Questions
Question: In your opinion, what are the key drivers for ensuring a safe environment for pupils and staff at your school or college?
Answer Percent
Our organisation prevents access to inappropriate online content 97%
Our organisation puts effective anti cyber-bullying measures in place 78%
We provide regular training to ensure all staff have appropriate expertise in safe use of new 61% technologies
We ensure we work closely with families to enable safe use of new technologies at home and in the 43% classroom
We restrict access to certain technologies outside school / college hours 23%
Other 5%
Question: Are you aware of recent Government policy consultations that could mean all schools will have to put in place ‘strengthened measures’ - including filtering and monitoring systems?
Answer Percent
Yes 69%
No 23%
Don’t know / would rather not say 8%
Grid question: Which of the following are you either looking to introduce or already using in your school or college?
Deploy a more robust web-filtering online safety tool
Answer Percent
Already in use 86%
Plan to introduce 11%
No plans to introduce 2%
Don’t know / would rather not say 1%
Enhance our control of access to inappropriate content
Answer Percent
Already in use 85%
Plan to introduce 11%
No plans to introduce 3%
Don’t know / would rather not say 1%
Page 12 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges Secure our organisation’s wireless access
Answer Percent
Already in use 87%
Plan to introduce 10%
No plans to introduce 2%
Don’t know / would rather not say 1%
Monitoring of our organisation’s wireless access
Answer Percent
Already in use 71%
Plan to introduce 17%
No plans to introduce 7%
Don’t know / would rather not say 5%
Restricting how much bandwidth is used per student per device
Answer Percent
Already in use 25%
Plan to introduce 20%
No plans to introduce 51%
Don’t know / would rather not say 4%
Restricting what data can be sent outside our network
Answer Percent
Already in use 38%
Plan to introduce 20%
No plans to introduce 30%
Don’t know / would rather not say 12%
Selectively restrict internet access in real time
Answer Percent
Already in use 68%
Plan to introduce 10%
No plans to introduce 20%
Don’t know / would rather not say 2%
Page 13 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges Define what our organisation regards as ‘inappropriate’ content for different user groups
Answer Percent
Already in use 80%
Plan to introduce 14%
No plans to introduce 5%
Don’t know / would rather not say 1%
Restricting ‘inappropriate’ content for different users across our different user groups
Answer Percent
Already in use 86%
Plan to introduce 7%
No plans to introduce 7%
Don’t know / would rather not say 1%
Question: How confident are you that you have the following in place at your school or college?
A secure, robust network safety solution
Answer Percent
Very confident 44%
Confident 36%
Fairly confident 16%
Not at all confident 2%
Don’t know / would rather not say 2%
A secure, reliable Wi-Fi network
Answer Percent
Very confident 43%
Confident 37%
Fairly confident 14%
Not at all confident 4%
Don’t know / would rather not say 2%
Page 14 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges Grid question: Roughly how long have you been using your current:
Network safety solution
Answer Percent
Less than a year 11%
Around a year 10%
1-2 years 20%
2-3 years 13%
3-4 years 9%
4 years + 27%
Don’t know / would rather not say 9%
Wi-Fi Network
Answer Percent
Less than a year 8%
Around a year 11%
1-2 years 20%
2-3 years 16%
3-4 years 13%
4 years + 27%
Don’t know / would rather not say 5%
Question: Who is currently responsible for providing and operations your network safety solution?
Answer Percent
A local authority provider 15%
An external private provider 29%
An in-house solution 45%
We have a bespoke arrangement 9%
Don’t know / would rather not say 2%
Question: Has the process of academisation impacted on your current network safety solution and / or the way you manage your Wi-Fi network?
Answer Percent
Yes 13%
No 65%
Don’t know / would rather not say 22%
Page 15 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges Question: What online safety tools are currently available at your school or college?
Answer Percent
Web-filtering online safety tool 97%
Controlling access to inappropriate content for pupils and students while allowing staff access to what 93% they need
Secure wireless access 96%
Don’t know / would rather not say 1%
Grid question: Of the following features of a network safety solution, which are you either looking to introduce or are already using to benefit your school or college?
Restricting how much bandwidth is used per student and device
Answer Percent
Currently use 17%
Plan to use 18%
No plans to use 53%
Don’t know / would rather not say 11%
Restricting what data can be sent outside our network
Answer Percent
Currently use 37%
Plan to use 20%
No plans to use 27%
Don’t know / would rather not say 16%
Selectively restricting internet access to users in real time
Answer Percent
Currently use 63%
Plan to use 9%
No plans to use 20%
Don’t know / would rather not say 8%
Defining what our organisation regards as ‘inappropriate’ content for different user groups
Answer Percent
Currently use 76%
Plan to use 10%
No plans to use 6%
Don’t know / would rather not sat 8%
Page 16 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges Question: What does your school or college currently use its Wi-Fi network for?
Answer Percent
Electronic textbooks 56%
Messaging or online chat services 34%
Social forums / discussion boards 39%
General internet browsing 92%
YouTube 69%
Other video services 47%
Don’t know / would rather not say 3%
Other 17%
Question: Are you confident that your users - pupils, students and staff - currently use the Wi-Fi network at your school or college safely?
Answer Percent
Very confident 29%
Confident 49%
Fairly confident 20%
Not at all confident 1%
Don’t know / would rather not say 1%
Question: Of the criteria listed below, in which areas would you say you can fully control access to the Wi-Fi network at your school or college? Please tick all that apply.
Answer Percent
By application or device (such as tablet / smartphone) 69%
By user group (such as staff / students) 88%
By time (such as during the school or college day / during term-time) 64%
By the amount of time used 31%
By restricting access to certain websites / applications 86%
Other 2%
Question: Are you currently taking any steps to protect users from potential threats / vulnerabilities while they’re on your network?
Answer Percent
Yes 88%
No 4%
Don’t know / would rather not say 8%
Page 17 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges Question: How confident are you that your existing Wi-Fi network integrates well with your existing network safety solution?
Answer Percent
Very confident 42%
Confident 38%
Fairly confident 12%
Not at all confident 3%
Don’t know / would rather not say 5%
Question: Does your organisation allow or enable staff / students to bring their own devices?
Answer Percent
Yes - staff and students 68%
No - neither staff nor students 11%
Staff only 20%
Don’t know / would rather not say 1%
Page 18 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges Appendix 2: Participating Organisations
Ackworth School Christ Church Cathedral School Al-Hijrah School Chulmleigh Academy Trust Alcester Academy Cirencester Deer Park School Allenbourn Middle School City College Norwich ARK Burlington Danes Academy City College Peterborough Arrow Vale RSA Academy City College Plymouth Ashfield Girls' High School City of Wolverhampton College Ashton-on-Mersey School Cleaswell Hill School Avon Valley College Cokethorpe School Aycliffe Centre Coleg Sir Gar Ayrshire College Coleg y Cymoedd Badminton School Colfes School Basingstoke College of Technology Colonel Frank Seely School Beaumont School Corby Business Academy Bedford Academy Coulsdon College Beechwood Sacred Heart School Coworth-Flexlands School Belfast Boys' Model School Cranleigh School Berwick Academy Cranmore Preparatory School Bethany School Cransley School Birkenhead School Cumbernauld College Bishop Luffa Church of England School, Chichester Cumnock Academy Bishop Stopford School Dauntsey's School Blackheath Preparatory School Davenies School Blenheim High School Dearne Valley College Bonus Pastor Catholic College Derwentside College Bootham School Duke of Kent School Borders College Duke of York's Royal Military School Bourne Academy Dulwich Preparatory School Bournemouth School Durrington High School Box Hill School Dyke House Sports and Technology College Bradford Grammar School Esher CofE High School Brampton College Esher College Bridge College Farlingaye High School Bridgend College Forest School Bridgwater College Fort Pitt Grammar School Brighton Aldridge Community Academy Fortrose Academy Brighton, Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College Foxwood Academy Bristol Metropolitan Academy Gairloch High School Bromley Beacon Academy George Green's School Brooke Priory School Goldington Academy Brookfield House School Gosforth Academy Burnt Mill Academy Grainville School Bury Grammer School Girls Gresham's School Bushloe High School Greys Education Centre Campion School Hall School Canons High School Hampton School Capital City Academy Hartpury College Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School Havering College of Further and Higher Education Cecil Jones Academy Hawthorn High School Cedars Upper School Haybridge High School and Sixth Form Central College Nottingham Heathfield School Charles Darwin School Hendon School Chaucer School Herefordshire College of Technology Cheadle Hulme School Hethersett Old Hall School Cheam High School Higham Lane School, A Business and Enterprise College Cheltenham College Horizons Specialist Academy Trust Chepstow School Hull College Chesterfield College Hurstpierpoint College Chichester High School for Girls Immanuel College Chiltern Edge Community School Impington Village College Chipping Norton School
Page 19 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges James Calvert Spence College St Mary's School Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College St Maurice's High School Kenton School St Peter's School (Inc St Olaves and Clifton Pre-Prep) Keswick School St Richards Catholic College Kimbolton School Strode College King Edward VI Grammar School Stromness Academy King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford Sussex Downs College King Edward VI School Sutton Grammar School for Boys Kirkby High School Terrington Hall School Leeds City College Tewkesbury School Litcham High School The All Saints Church of England Academy Long Road Sixth Form College The All Saints' Academy Lumen Christi College The Beacon School Luton Sixth Form College The Bramcote School Maiden Erlegh School The Brookfield School Meadowpark Nursery and Pre-Preparatory School The Charter School Melbourn Village College The Crossley Heath School Merchant Taylors Girls' School The Crypt Grammer School Merchiston Castle School The Eastwood Academy Millfield Science and Performing Arts College The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls Moulton College The Fountains High School Myerscough College The Frances Bardsley School for Girls Naima Jewish Preparatory School The Grey Coat Hospital Nelson and Colne College The Hayling College New College Durham The Island Project School Newlands Girls' School The John Warner School Newman University The Knights Templar School North West Kent College The Manchester Grammar School Northgate School Arts College The Petchey Academy Norton College The Pilgrims School Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service The Queen Katherine School (NRCDES) The Sixth Form College Solihull Ormiston Rivers Academy The Snaith School Ormiston Sudbury Academy The Sutton Academy Oundle School The Thomas Cowley High School Park House The Wellington Academy Preston School Thistley Hough Academy Queen Anne's School Thomas Estley Community College Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College Thomas Tallis School Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School Thorpe Hall School Queen Mary's Grammar School Torquay Boys' Grammar School Ralph Allen School Tower Hamlets College Ranby House School Trinity School Redruth School: A Technology College Turriff Academy Richard Taunton Sixth Form College Union Theological College Riverside College University Academy Holbeach Riverston School Upton House School Robert Pattinson School Urmston Grammar School Roundwood Park School Vandyke Upper School and Community College Royal Alexandra and Albert School Victoria College Royal Latin School Waldegrave School for Girls Saint Felix School Walsall Academy Salesian College Watford Grammar School for Girls Salisbury Cathedral School Wellington College Sexey's School Wellsway School Sharnbrook Upper School Westholme School Sherbourne Fields School Westhoughton High School Sir John Cass Foundation and Redcoat Church of England Weston College Secondary School Wharfedale Montessori School South Lanarkshire College Wimbledon High School St Albans Girls' School Wolverley CofE Secondary School St Bede's School Wood Green Academy St Christopher's CE High School Woodhouse College St Columba's School Worle Community School St Edwards Church of England Academy Wycliffe College St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College Wymondham College St Helen's School Yeovil College St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy York College
Page 20 of 20 Network Safety & Wi-Fi Management in Schools & Colleges