Case Study

Zero-Trust Implementation for a K12 District

Overcoming Barriers to Success

The Challenge

A K12 school district with around 2,000 users across multiple schools faced challenges as their IT infrastructure grew significantly over two decades. They expanded from a few hundred devices to a one-to-one device ratio for students.

The IT department struggled with implementing Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies and managing Shadow IT devices from both staff and students. Managing outside vendor operation technology (OT) for building automation further complicated network security and access requirements.

Action Plan for Success

Goals

  • Strengthen security by implementing a Zero Trust networking solution.
  • Reduce the zone of trust within the network.

Identifying Key Dependencies

Needs

  • Ensure that connecting to the corporate network doesn’t automatically grant access to resources.

The Solution

After evaluating the district’s existing network infrastructure, Big Sky Cybersecurity’s engineers implemented a Zero Trust networking framework to improve security. This approach reduced the zone of trust, ensuring that simply connecting to the network did not automatically provide access to sensitive resources.

We guided the district through every step of the implementation, making sure the new security measures were seamlessly integrated, well-documented, and easy to manage. These improvements enhanced the overall security of the network while allowing daily operations to continue without disruption.

Step-by-Step Execution

Actions We Took

  1. Network Segmentation:
    • Divided the network into segments to isolate critical assets and limit access based on user roles.
    • Reduced the risk of lateral movement across the network.
  2. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
    • Enabled MFA at all access points to ensure only authorized users could access sensitive resources.
    • Added an extra layer of security.
  3. Continuous Monitoring:
    • Set up real-time monitoring and logging to detect and respond to suspicious activities.
    • Enabled proactive threat management.
  4. Least Privilege Access:
    • Enforced strict access controls, granting users only the minimum access needed for their roles.
    • Reduced potential attack vectors.
  5. Device Compliance:
    • Ensured that all devices met compliance standards, including updated security patches and configurations.
    • Prevented vulnerabilities from non-compliant devices.

The Results

The Zero Trust framework significantly improved the district’s security posture. The IT team could now focus on strategic projects instead of constant firefighting.

The network became more resilient, reducing the risk of breaches and unauthorized access. Staff and students now enjoy secure, seamless access to resources, with clear visibility and control over all devices and activities on the network. This has led to greater operational efficiency and a safer learning environment for everyone.