Disaster struck for Richard Keller at 3 a.m. on an October morning in 2020. Awakened by a phone call, the network systems administrator learned Sinte Gleska University’s virtual infrastructure had been hacked. Since classes depended on the internet for continuing education, he knew that there was a limited amount of time before the hackers would have full control of everything on the network.
Sinte Gleska’s Managed Information Services Director Dwayne Stenstrom Jr. and the three other people on the university’s Information Technology team helped Richard work on their network. They still needed extra hands and safety measures to be put in place to protect the university. They worked with Golden West Technologies’ IT experts to restore their network and secure all their devices.
Richard had the help of Sinte Gleska’s Managed Information Services Director Dwayne Stenstrom Jr. and the three other people on the university’s Information Technology team. They still needed extra hands and safety measures to be put in place to protect the university. They worked with Golden West Technologies’ Managed Services to restore their network and secure all their devices.
Successful recovery
Over the following two months, the teams worked together and rebuilt the network to meet their growing needs. Without Golden West, Sinte Gleska University would not have the same cyber-awareness and cyber-resiliency it has today and might not have recovered from the cyberattack.
Richard explains that he has worked closely with Golden West throughout his 20 years with Sinte Gleska. He says many Golden West employees worked with him after hours rebuilding wireless networks – a dedication he appreciates greatly.
Online importance
The university experienced enrollment increases from 600 or 700 students before 2020 to 800 or 900 the last few semesters with one semester in between of 1,200 students. Dwayne says the uptime of their network since then has been much better.
In addition to a significant improvement in network security, Dwayne and Richard have also noted the growing awareness of cybersecurity among staff. This was evident as team members have demonstrated their skill at avoiding phishing scams – which they haven’t had a single issue in over seven months. This is significant, because humans can be the primary cause of cyberattacks.
“For us IT individuals, we’ve been aware of cybersecurity and do a lot of things that are taught,” says Richard. “But the users, it’s an eye-opening experience for them not only here at work, but when they go home and use their computer.”
Support where it matters
The tangible improvement allows Richard and Dwayne’s team to present their progress and allow others to recognize the success of the university. With more than 60% of students attending completely online today, Golden West supports the changing needs of the school so it can gradually offer new services as the need arises.
Many people had to adjust to online school during the pandemic; instructors for Sinte Gleska University required stability and security for teaching online. The new generation seeking career opportunities in the fields of medicine, business, education, and more needed to continue learning without interruption.
“It’s really nice to have a higher tier of support,” Richard says about working with Golden West. “If we have a problem now, we have someone that we can call. Their Network Operations Center is efficient, and they can prioritize based on our needs. The people I’ve worked with at Golden West are knowledgeable and very willing to work with us.”
Partnering with Golden West Technologies allows people like Dwayne to work on issues within his expertise and focus on his own work. As a graduate of the university himself, he takes pride in caring for his community and making a difference close to home.
“I recommend Golden West Technologies, especially with the expertise they bring. It was cheaper to get into the agreement than hire three people to do the work that they provide us. Financially it made sense for us,” he says.
Learn more about Managed IT Services by Golden West Technologies.