Case Study: Gonzaga University achieves stronger cloud security and $40,000 annual encryption savings with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure

Gonzaga University extends security in Oracle Cloud

Gonzaga University needed to upgrade its campus ERP after the on‑premises version was being retired and adopted a cloud‑first strategy with security as a top priority. The IT team developed a tiered data‑sensitivity framework to meet FERPA and institutional requirements and sought a cloud provider that could replicate their on‑premises Fortinet FortiGate firewall posture and strong encryption controls.

Gonzaga chose Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and, together with Fortinet, extended its on‑premises security stack into the cloud—keeping VPN requirements for off‑campus access and encryption‑at‑rest enabled by default. The move preserved the university’s security standards, delivered an estimated 25% cost savings versus a competitor, and eliminated a $40,000 annual encryption contract, freeing funds for further IT improvements.

Gonzaga University

Darren Owsley

CTO