Crowdstrike Falcon Antivirus

Overview

The School District of Philadelphia has started the deployment of a new antivirus program on all district-owned devices. Crowdstrike Falcon will replace FortiClient as the next generation threat detection software protecting computers from viruses, malware, and ransomware.

All faculty and staff with district-owned devices will have FortiClient removed and Crowdstrike’s Falcon agent installed. Some devices may already have Falcon, but if not, district IT staff will need to take action to update them. Our contract for FortiClient expires February 29th, 2024.

Devices that will need to be migrated

  • Windows OS devices
  • Apple OS devices – OS 13 and above

Devices that do not need to be migrated

  • Dell Chromebooks
  • Apple iOS devices such as iPads, iPods, and iPhones
  • Personal devices

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an antivirus program on my device?

Yes. All faculty and staff devices are required to have antivirus software to comply with cybersecurity insurance requirements.

Do I have to migrate or can I keep FortiClient on my device?

This migration is administered by IT administrators. No action is required on your part.

Do I need to back-up my files prior to having my antivirus migrated?

We always recommend that users backup their data, but this process will not wipe any information from district owned devices.

What if I am unable to have my device migrated, will it still function?

Devices that have not been migrated by the February 29th deadline will still be able to function. They will not receive any antivirus definition updates or program updates.

I have devices that were donated to my school location, do they qualify for antivirus installation?

Devices that are donated to the School District of Philadelphia should have followed the donation policy, which can be found here

Will I.T. supply up-to-date Windows and Apple images with the new antivirus solution?

Currently I.T. is working on up-to-date district images. As soon as these are in place we will share their location with the appropriate staff on the SDP network.

Can I deploy Falcon to my personal devices?

You may not use the School District of Philadelphia’s version of Falcon on your personal devices. However, FortiClient is available for personal usage at the following link: https://forticlient.com/downloads

Where can I find current installers for Falcon?

If you have confirmed that you do not have it, and you need a Falcon on your machine, please reach out to the I.T. Help Desk.

Where can I find FortiClient Uninstall information?

This information can be found at: https://www.philasd.org/technologyservices/programs/itsecurity/

Need Further Assistance?

If additional assistance is needed, contact the I.T. Help Desk by one of the methods listed below.

Real Time Support

Call 215-400-5555 to speak with a representative

Open an Incident

Click HERE to view a stepper on opening an incident in the I.T. Help Desk Ticketing System

Help via Email

Email your issue to HelpDesk@philasd.org