When students are allowed to use their own digital devices, such as tablets, laptops and smartphones in educational settings, this is known as Bring Your Own Device or BYOD. BYOD has some tangible benefits for education. It can improve student engagement and satisfaction while affording them the comfort, familiarity and personalisation that they associate with their devices.
It also has its caveats from an operational, access, equity and security perspective. Here, we look at how to effectively manage BYOD in schools to ensure that access to digital devices is safe, secure and fair.
BYOD implementation can present certain security vulnerabilities. If a student's device contains malicious software, either deliberately or accidentally, it can compromise the security of the school's network.
In order to maintain their network security and protect their data, schools need to establish a comprehensive set of security measures. These measures include securing Wi-Fi networks with strong encryption, regularly updating security protocols, and regularly carrying out vulnerability assessments to ensure that malicious actors cannot gain unauthorised access.
Schools may also wish to make it mandatory for students to install a bring your own device software to ensure that every device on the premises meets a security standards baseline.
According to a study by Mimecast, human error was the root cause of 95% of global cyber attacks in 2024.
In an educational setting, both students and staff share a duty to maintain the security of the school's network. As such, both should receive regular training and guidance on digital security best practices. This might include:
Training empowers students and staff alike to manage their devices responsibly while driving down the risk of security breaches.
Alongside a strong security infrastructure and training, consistent policies are the backbone of effective device management for schools. Policies shape the school's overall approach to BYOD governance, outlining the criteria for acceptable use as well as security requirements and protocols for devices and the network as a whole. Policies should also outline the expectations placed on students and staff, and outline the consequences of policy violations for both.
Clear guidelines provide clear guidance to all parties, ensuring that everybody understands their roles and responsibilities in creating and maintaining a secure learning environment.
A critical challenge of Bring Your Own Device in schools is the income disparity between different students' households. Some students may have better access to technology than others. Supplementing these schemes with 1:1 device programmes can provide access to digital devices that may not be affordable to some households. This ensures that all students can participate fully in the BYOD initiative and creates parity of learning opportunities for all students, regardless of their household income.
To find out more about BYOD and educational device programmes, get in touch with our Easy4u team today!
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