Meeting Digital and Technology Standards: Laptops, Desktops and Tablets

In the latest instalment of our series on digital and technology standards, we explore the essential benchmarks your school should meet for laptops, desktops and tablets

To effectively support your school’s digital strategy and roadmap, it’s crucial that students and staff have access to the right devices that align with educational needs and technological goals. Without the appropriate equipment and standards, schools can face significant disruptions in operations, administrative tasks and record management.

Identify Device Needs

Begin by assessing your school’s equipment needs for both staff and students. This assessment should cover who requires devices, what types are needed, when they are required and why. Gather information on the number and types of devices, any specific physical requirements, the level of technical support needed and the training requirements for users. Collaborate with your IT provider to evaluate the security and technical specifications for the devices. This evaluation will help determine whether new devices need to be purchased or if existing ones can be repurposed.

Increase Device Security

Ensuring the security of your devices is crucial, especially given the high risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches. Unsecured devices can lead to reputational damage and financial loss if not properly protected. IT support should verify that all devices are configured securely and collaborate with the designated safeguarding lead to review and update filtering and monitoring requirements. Regular reviews of filtering, monitoring, and cybersecurity measures are essential for maintaining device security.

Ensuring Energy Efficiency

Adhering to sustainability standards in purchasing and replacing IT and electrical devices is key to minimising waste and avoiding unnecessary energy costs. Schools should ensure that devices are turned off when not in use, automatically power down outside of operating hours, and only use the necessary tools. This approach helps in reducing both environmental impact and operational expenses.

When disposing of devices, IT support must ensure compliance with Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations and data protection requirements. It’s essential to take appropriate measures to prevent security incidents by securely removing or destroying any data on the devices.

This overview provides a condensed look at essential considerations for supporting your school’s digital strategy and roadmap. For comprehensive details, SBLs should refer to the relevant government guidelines. In the next installment of our series, we’ll delve into the standards for networking cabling and switching to ensure your school’s infrastructure is both efficient and up to date.