Optimising School IT – The Role of Infrastructure Monitoring and Network Operations Control

In this article: An expert’s point of view on key IT monitoring strategies designed to help schools drastically streamline their operations and minimise downtime. 

Unlike traditional businesses, schools have highly complex IT environments. They manage an extensive range of devices across multiple buildings while supporting both staff and students who expect seamless connectivity for teaching, learning, and administration. This complexity means many things can go wrong, and IT teams need a clear, real-time view of their systems. Below, Infrastructure Specialist Quentin Beggs explains that by continuously tracking system performance, anticipating potential failures, and automating responses, schools can reduce downtime, enhance security, and ensure that students and staff always have access to the resources they need. 

Benefits of infrastructure monitoring

“Schools are complex, they depend on a vast network of interconnected technologies, all of which are vital to their daily operations. In many cases, a school can be running 50 – 60 applications responsible for everything from learning and safety to integrated workflows,” says Quentin. 

When something goes wrong, the impact is immediate, disrupting classrooms, administrative workflows, and even cybersecurity defences. “While technology issues will inevitably arise, the key is to detect them as early as possible before they become barriers to learning,” he says. Here are the key benefits of proactive monitoring for schools –

Minimising downtime & IT disruptions

Even minor technical issues can have major consequences in a classroom setting. If a teacher’s interactive whiteboard fails mid-lesson or Wi-Fi drops during an online assessment, valuable learning time is lost. A proactive infrastructure monitoring strategy combines real-time issue detection with early warning indicators. For example, alerts about low disk space or expiring security certificates allow IT teams to act before failures occur. If a problem does arise, multiple alerts – via text, email, and phone – can be sent to designated IT staff, ensuring swift resolution.

Improved security & compliance

Schools handle significant amounts of sensitive data, making them prime cyberattack targets. Infrastructure monitoring plays a crucial role in identifying, isolating, and mitigating threats in real time. These include –

• Unauthorised access attempts
• Outdated software or unpatched systems
• Malfunctioning firewalls or antivirus tools
• Increased traffic that may indicate a DDoS attack

Supporting remote learning & BYOD policies

Hybrid learning and Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) policies have increased the complexity of school IT management. With automated network control, schools can ensure secure remote access, restrict unauthorised devices, and enforce policies that maintain a productive digital learning environment. In this regard, schools must monitor –

• The number and types of devices connecting to their network
• Unauthorised access from personal devices
• Bandwidth consumption from students and staff working remotely

The role of network operations control 

Infrastructure monitoring is just one part of the equation. To truly optimise school IT, teams need a Network Operations Control (NOC) system that enables proactive issue management and real-time oversight.

“Without systems in place – if something happens, a school only finds out about it when everyone has arrived onsite, which compounds the issue even further. In some cases, other systems need to be brought down while another is being fixed. It is imperative that all of this is done outside of business hours. The best case scenario is that no one even knows something was ever down,” says Quentin.   

“A well-run NOC ensures that IT teams don’t have to rely on end-users reporting problems. Instead, the IT team detects and addresses issues proactively, keeping school staff informed while minimising disruptions,” he says. 

How Network Operations Control enhances IT support –

Centralised event monitoring

• Consolidates alerts into a single platform
• Allows 24/7 monitoring and immediate issue escalation

Automated alerts & response paths

• Issues escalate automatically based on severity and time elapsed
• Ensures critical problems reach the right personnel quickly

Remote troubleshooting & IT support

• Allows IT staff to resolve issues without being physically on-site
• Reduces downtime and improves response efficiency

Cybersecurity integration

• Monitors for potential security breaches in real time
• Ensures compliance with best-practice security frameworks

Considerations for an effective Proactive IT Monitoring Strategy –

1. Invest in 24/7 monitoring & alerting

• Technology issues don’t keep business hours. A continuous monitoring strategy ensures that IT systems are tracked around the clock, allowing teams to respond to issues before they affect users.

2. Leverage AI & automation for faster responses

• AI-driven monitoring solutions can predict failures, automate fixes, and reduce manual intervention. Automated ticketing ensures that support requests are assigned based on severity, improving resolution times.

3. Conduct regular IT audits

• Routine network assessments and performance checks help schools identify weaknesses and prioritise upgrades.

4. Customise monitoring to fit your school’s needs

• Every school’s IT infrastructure and risk profile are different. Customisation allows schools to define which infrastructure components they want to be monitored and establish different priority levels for issue escalation.

5. Enhance cybersecurity protocols

• Integrating real-time security monitoring ensures that schools stay ahead of cyber threats. Regular software updates, multi-layered authentication, and strict access controls should be part of the strategy.

6. Consider outsourcing to a Managed IT provider

• Many schools lack the in-house resources to manage complex IT environments. Partnering with a Managed IT Services provider ensures 24/7 support, proactive monitoring, and a streamlined response to technical challenges.

Future-forward schools

School IT environments are more complex than ever. By implementing proactive infrastructure monitoring and network operations control, schools can reduce disruptions, enhance security, and improve overall IT efficiency. 

“Because we specialise in the education sector, we have a clear understanding of the nuances of a school and the way they operate,” Quentin says.  “A well-monitored IT infrastructure is the foundation of a seamless, secure digital learning experience. Working with schools and how they are able to respond allows the team at NetStrategy to really stand apart, ”he concludes. If you are looking for the ideal proactive IT monitoring strategy for your school, or to talk about any other IT-related issues you might have – speak to us today.