"Zombies” are more than just compromised networks, they’re tech that is so old it’s practically the walking dead. Transitioning to smart networks solves more than bandwidth, it solves many security issues while also getting agile, with the ability to adapt quickly to the introduction of new services. This issue brief explains the current challenges of maintaining broadband and other networking services that work—as one Chief of Information and Technology put it—“as invisibly and reliably as a light switch.” Schools now need an infrastructure that handles all of the data communication needs—wired, wireless and cellular.