Computer labs are essential components of educational institutions, serving as key hubs where students can interact with cutting-edge technologies and digital learning tools. These spaces are critical for learning the technological abilities becoming increasingly important in our digital economy. However, properly managing these dynamic — sometimes chaotic — environments presents a considerable obstacle.Â
This task is compounded by the necessity for periodic system updates, the threat of cyber attacks — which have lately increased dramatically — and the constant risk of malware and ransomware disrupting the educational process. If you manage a computer lab, you’re probably all too aware of the difficult chore of ensuring that operations run smoothly while avoiding constant maintenance and threat mitigation.
Challenges in managing computer labs
Managing computer laboratories in educational settings presents significant issues, such as frequent system downtimes and malware disturbances, which strain maintenance resources. These issues can deplete educational resources and shift the emphasis from teaching to ongoing problem-solving.
The rising trend of cybersecurity threats exacerbates these difficulties. For example, malware assaults on educational institutions increased by 26% in 2022, while ransomware attacks hit 80% of IT personnel in the education sector that same year. These data show the vital necessity for strong cybersecurity measures and dependable IT management solutions to keep school computer labs functioning properly.
Deep Freeze as a solution
Deep Freeze is a software solution that potentially revolutionize the management of educational computer systems. This program ensures that every reboot resets the machine to a predetermined baseline setting, thereby removing any modifications made during the session, whether inadvertent or malicious.
Case study: Mobile County public school system
At Mobile County, the relentless cycle of repairing and restoring computers was drastically reduced by Deep Freeze. George Mitchell, the district’s Hardware Supervisor, recalls the pre-Deep Freeze days: “We were taking our workstations back one at a time. And, of course, once they are Frozen, we don’t touch them again unless there is a hardware failure. It has helped our department use our energies toward putting out other burning fires, and not just workstation issues.”
This change allowed the Mobile County IT staff to shift their focus from constant repairs to more strategic IT initiatives, enhancing the educational experience for students and staff alike. Read the full case study here.
Benefits of Deep Freeze in educational settings
Implementing Deep Freeze in educational institutions can dramatically reduce IT workload, making it a great tool for schools dealing with regular technical problems. Here are some of the main benefits:
- Reduced IT calls: Institutions such as Mobile County saw a significant drop in support tickets, with up to 90% fewer calls for software difficulties. This huge decline allows IT professionals to focus on more strategic duties rather than frequent troubleshooting.
- Enhanced security: Deep Freeze provides comprehensive security against malware attacks, as well as disruptions caused by students’ unintentional or exploratory alterations. This guarantees that instructional tools operate smoothly while preserving the integrity and availability of essential educational resources.
- Better resource utilization: With fewer emergencies to deal with, IT professionals may change their focus from reactive maintenance to proactive augmentation of technology resources. This transition not only enhances the quality of IT services supplied, but it also enriches the learning environment, allowing instructors and students to better use technology in their educational endeavors.
Implementing Deep Freeze in your institution
Adopting Deep Freeze might sound like a big step, but it’s simpler than you might think. Start by identifying the key systems where consistency is most critical — likely your computer labs and public-use PCs. From there, setting up Deep Freeze involves installing the software and configuring baseline settings that best suit your needs. Ongoing management is minimal, thanks to centralized controls and the ability to push updates remotely without thawing the protected systems.
Deep Freeze doesn’t just freeze systems; it freezes the problems associated with running an active computer lab, allowing you to maintain a dynamic learning environment without the usual headaches.
Manage your computer labs with Faronics Deep Freeze
Whether you work at a small school or a major institution, maintaining an efficient and dependable computer lab does not have to be a constant challenge. Deep Freeze ensures that your educational technology resources are always available for your students’ needs, with no downtime or disruptions.
Are you ready to rethink how you manage instructional technology? Learn how Deep Freeze can help you optimize your operations and focus on education rather than IT upkeep.Â
Contact us at Faronics today to schedule a demo or trial and discover how simple it is to manage your computer labs.