Hicksville Public School District Case Study | Identity Automation

Industry: K-12

Solutions: RapidIdentity Lifecycle Management, Authentication

Outcome: By implementing RapidIdentity, Hicksville Public Schools dramatically improved account provisioning, tightened identity security, simplified user onboarding, and reduced audit exposure—all while fostering long-term trust with staff, students, and the community.

“I have a moral obligation to protect our students and staff from identity theft—because I know what it feels like to go through it.” —Daniel Friedman, Director of Educational Technology

Hicksville Public Schools, located in New York, serves a diverse community of students and staff. Before implementing RapidIdentity, the district relied on a cumbersome spreadsheet-based process to manage user accounts, which created security inefficiencies. They were in desperate need of a better system. 

CHALLENGE

Outdated Tools & Rising Risk

Hicksville Public Schools’ previous identity management process involved spreadsheets and manual account creation, leaving the district vulnerable to human error, delayed provisioning, and audit failures. Staff couldn’t start work without access to essential tools, or worse—without proper verification.

Despite a strong internal IT team, the district faced persistent problems:

• Manual, error-prone account management
• Delayed access for users during key transition periods
• Lack of formal procedures to satisfy auditor requirements
• Organizational resistance to change, compounded by concerns around security modernization

Daniel Friedman, the district’s Director of Educational Technology, has long been driven by a personal mission to protect online identities, stemming from his own experience as a victim of identity theft. For him, protecting students and staff is not just a technical responsibility but a moral imperative.

SOLUTION

A Strategic IAM Rollout Rooted in Relationships and Readiness

Hicksville Public Schools chose Identity Automation’s RapidIdentity platform after a trusted recommendation from a peer in a California district. The pitch was simple:“Use Identity Automation, and all your problems will go away.” This statement turned out to be true.

With a strategically timed end-of-year budget opportunity, Friedman seized the moment to implement a long-awaited identity solution, without disrupting fiscal planning or existing operations.

The district adopted:

• RapidIdentity Lifecycle Management to automate account creation, updates, and de-provisioning.
• Authentication tools that leverage staff cell phones and multi-factor authentication for secure, user-driven access. User-claiming workflows to replace outdated ticketing systems and ensure real-time provisioning.

But technology alone wasn’t enough. Friedman understood that cultural change management would be essential to lasting success. His strategy focused on:

• Building consensus with union leadership before rollouts to support adoption.
• Engaging influential but informal leaders, like respected teachers and committee members, to foster buy-in.
• Adapting communication based on audience—knowing when to push and when to wait for optimal rollout timing.

By anchoring the rollout in technical efficiency and human relationships, Hicksville’s implementation of RapidIdentity was successful and sustainable.

RESULTS

Operational Efficiency, Audit Confidence, and Real-World Impact

Since implementing RapidIdentity, Hicksville Public Schools has significantly improved IT governance, audit preparedness, user confidence, and more. 

• Audit-ready workflows: The district now has standardized procedures that pass auditor scrutiny while remaining user-friendly.
• Secure, streamlined access: New protocols require users to claim their accounts and validate access using a mobile phone, reducing unauthorized entry points.
• Exceptional support: Friedman praised Identity Automation’s support engineers as “outstanding,” highlighting their enthusiasm and skill in solving complex technical challenges.
• Strong internal IT partnerships: His top-level network team consistently receives prompt, knowledgeable support when issues arise.

LOOKING AHEAD…

With RapidIdentity firmly in place, Hicksville Public Schools has modernized its identity infrastructure, laying a strong foundation for long-term security, efficiency, and trust. As the district continues to evolve, its commitment to protecting the digital identities of students and staff remains central, driven by leadership that understands identity isn't just data, but people.