Case Study: Manitoba First Nations SchoolNet achieves expanded digital inclusion and standardized, cost-effective cybersecurity across 48 schools with Fortinet

Manitoba First Nations ICT School Program Increases Digital Inclusion and Security Across 48 Locations with Fortinet

Manitoba First Nations SchoolNet (MFNS), an initiative of the Keewatin Tribal Council, delivers ICT services to 48 publicly funded Indigenous schools across Manitoba to bridge the digital divide and create local IT opportunities. MFNS faced rising cyberthreats (phishing, malware, cyberbullying), inconsistent firewall policies, limited on-site IT resources, and the need for cost‑effective, standardized security and simplified management across a vast, remote geography.

MFNS replaced its legacy stack with Fortinet solutions—FortiGate NGFWs, FortiAP wireless access points, and FortiSwitches—deployed with FortiDeploy and supported by FortiCare. Centralized management, integrated security functions (AV, IPS, web filtering, app control, segmentation) and standardized templates reduced on-site support, improved wireless performance and policy consistency, curtailed risky content and cyberbullying, and delivered scalable, budget-friendly protection that increased digital inclusion across all 48 schools.

Manitoba First Nations SchoolNet

Nikki Muswaggon

Program Manager