Stratford-Upon-Avon College Delivers Flexible Working And Remote Access To Staff And Students

Published 26th June 2006

Online network uses AppGate Security Server to provide county-wide secure, deperimeterised access to college resources...

26 June, 2006 - Stratford-upon-Avon College has launched a pioneering online network for staff and students, connecting the college network to Warwickshire Council's library IT network to provide countywide secure access and promote flexible, remote working.

The online network uses network security specialist AppGate's Security Server solution to provide students with a means of accessing college resources and authorised data files from their local library, creating a remote learning community and enabling students to work remotely when they do not need to be on campus.

The IT team at Stratford College needed a solution which would provide a secure and confidential environment for staff and students to work and communicate with the college, which would provide controlled deperimeterised access to designated personal data files and college resources and also give authorised staff remote access to restricted areas such as administration services.

By using library membership login details and a unique student identification number, staff and students can access specified applications and data files through the normal Windows terminal server login, exactly as they would on campus, ensuring simple yet highly secure remote access.

Security was a key consideration for the college, as users would be accessing the college network from a public location. The AppGate solution uses application level VPN, client check, password authentication to ensure controlled access and protect the college infrastructure from external threats.

A key advantage of the AppGate solution was that it provided a tunnel through the council network, with minimal impact upon the installed base of PCs in the county libraries, according to Stratford College.

Julie Taylor, Project Manager at Stratford-upon-Avon College said, "The solution is unique because it does not require any additional software to be installed on the library machines. It is therefore expandable and can be used at any participating library or remote location."

The online network has proven so popular that it is now being deployed in student accommodation blocks across the campus in order to link student rooms directly to the college network.

The AppGate solution is also being installed on to PDA devices which will connect over GPRS to provide senior managers at the college with access to email and college resources, enabling mobile working and more flexible access.





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