Knovation Solutions, a South African technology provider focused on digital infrastructure and cybersecurity services, has introduced a packaged security offering aimed at helping schools manage rising cyber risks as education environments become more dependent on connected systems, cloud platforms and personal devices.
The company’s new Safe Schools 2.0 platform combines technologies from cybersecurity vendor WatchGuard Technologies into a tiered offering designed for educational institutions that often operate with limited security budgets and small IT teams.
Schools have become increasingly dependent on online learning systems, cloud administration platforms, wireless connectivity and student owned devices. That shift has expanded the number of systems that require protection while increasing exposure to threats including ransomware, phishing campaigns, credential theft and network misuse.
“Schools have always had a duty of care to protect their learners,” said William Hardie, Managing Director of Knovation Solutions. “Today, that responsibility extends beyond physical safety to the digital world. Safe Schools 2.0 gives school leadership the confidence that their students, staff and systems are protected, while enabling uninterrupted digital learning.”
The launch reflects broader challenges facing educational institutions, which store student records, financial information, parent data and staff information while relying heavily on connected systems to maintain daily operations. South African schools also face additional pressure from compliance requirements under the Protection of Personal Information Act.
According to Knovation Solutions, the platform was built around three deployment tiers that allow schools to adopt different levels of protection depending on size and operational requirements.
The entry level configuration focuses on perimeter protection and internet filtering intended to secure network access for students and staff. Higher tiers expand protections to staff endpoints, administrative systems and wireless infrastructure, with the highest tier adding segmented wireless networks and controls intended to secure examination environments and detect unauthorized access points.
“Educational institutions face the same cyber threats as large enterprises but often lack the resources and specialist expertise to respond effectively,” said Dominic Richardson, CEO of WatchGuard distributor Dolos. “Safe Schools 2.0 combines powerful, integrated security technologies with Knovation Solutions’ local expertise to make protection accessible to schools of all sizes.”
The platform uses WatchGuard’s security stack, including next generation firewalls, multifactor authentication, endpoint detection and response, extended detection and response capabilities, secure wireless infrastructure and filtering controls. Consolidating these components into a single platform is intended to reduce operational complexity for schools that may not have dedicated cybersecurity teams.
Knovation says the model was designed to accommodate institutions ranging from schools with 300 learners to environments serving more than 3,000 students, allowing institutions to expand security capabilities over time rather than replacing infrastructure as requirements grow.
The company positions the platform not only as an IT initiative but also as a governance issue for school leadership, particularly as cyber incidents increasingly threaten teaching continuity, examination processes and institutional trust.
