Major updates made to WiFi system and school website

This semester, the district implemented a new certificate-based WiFi system in efforts to boost cybersecurity. In addition to sweeping network changes, Saratoga High’s official’s website also received a major overhaul. 

Julie Grenier, the district’s director of technology, led the process for implementing the new WiFi system, which boasts a simplified login process with increased network stability.

“The new WiFi was implemented to increase security and provide staff and students with Single Sign On (SSO) using Google authentication to hopefully make it easier to get connected,” Grenier said.

A major benefit for students is that they no longer have to reset their WiFi password at the start of every school year to join the network. 

The new system simply requires students to complete the initial setup which involves downloading an external “SecureW2 Wrapper” and installing a WiFi profile onto their devices. Afterwards, as long as students remember their password to their personal device at login, the WiFi will automatically connect. 

However, some students, including senior Javed Mohideen, have voiced their grievances about joining the network.

“The whole onboarding process was pretty extra and overly complicated considering that I’ve really seen no noticeable improvements over the old WiFi,” Mohideen said.

Many students have decided to avoid the hassle of setting up their devices for the new network by using alternative WiFi networks or personal hotspots.

Mohideen also shared concerns regarding the privacy benefits from the new WiFi network, as the setup requires students to download packages on their devices. However, Grenier said that the new certificate-based wifi system does not permit any members of the district to  access or view any files on students’ devices, but it does restrict unauthorized outside access to the network.

In addition to the new WiFi system, the school’s website, saratogahigh.org, was remodeled by a group led by Tanya de la Cruz, the district’s public information officer. The site now features a cleaner User Interface and a more intuitive navigation panel.

“Our district websites had not been updated in many years, so it was time for a new look,” Grenier said. “Overhauling the website’s interface also gave us the opportunity to update the site navigation and information presented on the website.” 

The reaction to the new site has been positive. 

“It’s a really nicely put together site,” senior Yashom Kapoor said. “In terms of how easy it is to search for information, the website hasn’t changed much, but now that the UI looks a lot better, it’s more enjoyable to navigate the website.”