Laptop security
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You are responsible for the security of your laptop within and outside the school gate.
For security reasons, nobody else may use your laptop, including your fellow staff members, friends or family members.
A Computers for Teachers laptop may be used by a student, however, their use is governed by a strict security condition: they must log in using their own usernames and passwords.
It is also important to that you don't disclose your user name and password to anyone.
For security purposes, your school must engrave your laptop (PDF, 296k) with a Computers for Teachers number.
As long as your laptop has been correctly entered as an asset in OneSchool, and you take all due care to keep it secure, your laptop should be covered for theft, fire or flood damage under the Resource Replacement Scheme.
You and/or your school may be financially responsible for the theft of, or non-warranty damage to, your laptop if negligence is identified as a factor in the loss or damage.
Security at school
While working
Never leave your laptop unsecured.
During breaks
If your classroom is secure, windows closed and doors locked, you can leave your laptop in it during break times.
Overnight
When your laptop must be left at school overnight or for longer periods of time, your school is responsible for providing a secure storage location, such as:
- a lockable storeroom
- a lockable cupboard
- a lockable filing cabinet.
Some schools provide teachers with Kensington locks or similar. These devices will secure laptops to a desk.
Security during travel
Don't leave laptops in vehicles at any time, even for short periods.
Security at home
You may take your laptop home overnight and during school holidays.
No-one beside yourself can use your laptop.
Store your laptop in a secure location within your home.
Security overseas
You may wish to take your laptop overseas. If you do, ensure you take out appropriate travel insurance.
Virus protection
Computers viruses can severely damage and disrupt your work on a laptop.
Because you can use your laptop to a certain extent for personal use, you should take all necessary steps to protect it from viral attack.
Viruses can enter through:
- removable media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks and USB memory sticks
- emails
- the Internet (including web browsers, FTP programs and chat rooms)
- file downloads
- network file shares, such as servers and shared folders.
Antivirus software is installed on your laptop. Its virus definitions will be automatically updated when you connect to the department's IT network at school.
Tips on avoiding virus contamination are available.
