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Palo Alto Networks and 2degrees have emerged the winners of long-term contracts to deliver N4L’s next iteration of the managed network service to schools and kura nationwide.
Palo Alto will deliver the next generation of on-premise firewalls, along with advanced cybersecurity and web filtering services while 2degrees will provide internet services and enable N4L to operate as a virtual internet service provider.
This will allow N4L to manage internet service delivery directly while still using 2degrees’ infrastructure for connectivity.
Spark was the incumbent network services supplier.
N4L will take full ownership and management of the network aiming to deliver cost efficiency, service flexibility and a greater ability to manage provisioning and service delivery.
It also aims to empower educators to harness the potential of digital resources in the classroom to reduce their workload, support student learning and prepare young people for a digitally-enabled world.
The transition of schools to N4L’s new service will begin in March 2025 and finish by May 2026.
The Ministry of Education will fund the transition for state and state-integrated schools while private sector companies from N4L’s panel will provide onsite support.
“These new strategic partnerships with the private sector are founded on our shared commitment to providing schools and kura with access to leading-edge technology infrastructure,” said N4L CEO Larrie Moore.
“This initiative positions N4L to meet the needs of schools now and into the future, enhancing our ability to support schools effectively in their use of technology in the classroom.”
Palo Alto Networks’ NZ managing director, Misti Landtroop, said the collaboration represented a significant step forward in enhancing ansd securing digital learning environments.
“Together, we are setting a new standard for educational technology services, where security and performance go hand-in-hand to empower the next generation,” she said.
2 degrees CEO Mark Callander said connectivity was essential in a modern world and a core element in education, enabling both educators and students to access tools and services that helped them every day.
N4L is also aiming to exert more centralised control and to provide increased support of technology and services provided to schools and kura.
The state-owned service provider was exploring ways to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to exert tighter control over centrally funded services, the organisation told Parliament as part of its annual review process.
“This includes standardising the deployment of software licenses from major providers like Microsoft or Google to ensure schools adopt best practices.”