Everything digital: access and cybersecurity

Using on-campus licences safely anywhere?

Academic Software solves many different IT challenges for colleges, schools and universities. When an educational institution has a challenge, we look into our toolbox to find a tool that can offer a solution. One of the tools we have in our toolbox is IP-Whitelisting. IP Whitelisting can be used to give users access to licence servers, even if the student is not on the campus network, and without the use of VPN.??

Providing access outside the campus network ordinarily means setting up a VPN connection between the network and end users’ devices. However, connecting the campus infrastructure with multiple unmanaged networks and devices through VPN introduces security risks, increasing the number of entry points for attackers.?

IP white-listing (also called “allow-listing”) via the Academic Software platform removes the need for VPN by opening a time-limited proxy between the licence server and the end user’s device. When an end user applies for a licence, their IP address is allowed access to the trusted licence server for a set time period. The access is limited to the ports needed by the application and isolated from the rest of the campus network. Unknown entities trying to access the system from an unlisted IP address will be restricted.?

IP white-listing, set up and maintained by Academic Software, is one of the key ways Academic Software ensures a seamless and flexible experience for your end users, whilst keeping your network secure. Interested in knowing more? Get in touch!?

Improving digital tool access at vocational college ROC Friese Poort?

Vocational college ROC Friese Poort in the Netherlands began using the Academic Software platform last year, and discovered an immediate positive impact as staff and students found it easier to access the software they needed. Lecturers were unburdened from concerns around digital access, and they felt able to explore a range of digital resources to enrich the learning experiences of their students.???

You can watch a short video on how Academic Software helped ROC Friese Poort here:

Digital Education Decoded podcast?

Did you know that Academic Software sponsors a podcast exploring the present and future of digital education? Previous episodes have included discussions on cybersecurity, the metaverse, blockchain, governance, and the student experience of digital learning. The next podcast, due out next week, features a round-table discussion on cybersecurity in universities.?

You can subscribe to the podcast (in Spanish) here and you can also view the podcasts with English subtitles on Academic Software’s YouTube channel.

On the move for Africa’s Great Green Wall

The Academic Software team is joining forces with colleagues in the Signpost Group, aiming to plant 16,500 trees in Africa’s Great Green Wall this year. For every kilometre they walk, run or cycle in the month of November, a tree will be planted in the Great Green Wall as part of an international project to halt desertification and support local businesses in the Sahel. We’ll update you on how the team did in December!

Events?

Come and meet the Academic Software team at the following events in November: ?

2–4 November | Spa, Belgium | Ludovia#BE?

15–16 November | Den Bosch, Netherlands | SURF Onderwijsdagen 2022?

16–17 November | Lahti, Finland | IT Event Finland?

17 November | Birmingham, UK | Schools and Academies Show?

22–24 November | Madrid, Spain | SIMO EDUCACIóN?

24 November | Bolton, UK | ANME - North West Network Meeting?

30 Nov–3 Dec | Brighton, UK | UCISA Leadership Event- CISG-PCMG22?