Case Studies > Baltimore City Public School System delivers secure technology to the classroom

Baltimore City Public School System delivers secure technology to the classroom

Company Size

1,000+

Region

America

Country

United States

Product

Persistence® technology
Absolute Investigations team

Tech Stack

Cloud-based console
Asset tracking software

Implementation Scale

Enterprise-wide Deployment

Impact Metrics

Customer Satisfaction
Employee Satisfaction

Technology Category

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration
Cybersecurity & Privacy - Endpoint Security
Cybersecurity & Privacy - Security Compliance

Applicable Industries

Education

Applicable Functions

Business Operation
Facility Management

Use Cases

Remote Asset Management

Services

Cybersecurity Services
System Integration

About The Customer

The Baltimore City Public School System’s (BCPSS) mission is to ensure that all students are armed with the education and skills necessary to succeed in college and within the 21st century workforce. To achieve this, it is critical that students, faculty and staff have access to the technology tools and resources that promote higher achievement and effective communication methods. In 2004, the district received the necessary funding to supply all teachers in the district with laptops. This funding was the first step in the district’s goal of seamlessly integrating technology into all BCPSS schools. The next steps would be towards the implementation of a 1:1 program, offering a device to every student in the system.

The Challenge

BCPSS understood the value of introducing technology in the classroom – it plays an important role in meeting the needs of the broad range of abilities, disabilities, cultural backgrounds, and ethnic populations. However, with especially high crime rates in the city of Baltimore, the IT team was set the difficult challenge of ensuring that all school devices were secured and accounted for. How would IT support 200 schools, 8,000 teachers and 85,000 students? With so many laptops distributed, the risk of theft was inevitable. How could BCPSS prevent theft and protect their teachers and students as they carried their devices through a city that struggled with crime? It was clear that the department would need a solid security strategy to reduce the risk of theft and protect their school environment.

The Solution

Mike Pitroff, Chief Technology Officer for BCPSS, knew that the district wouldn’t be able to manage the burden of tracking and securing thousands of laptops without assistance. Persistence® technology from Absolute enables a constant connection to all devices deployed by an organization. Devices are tracked via any internet connection, regularly collecting asset information from each device regardless of its physical location. This allows administrators to track where computers are located, who is using them, and what’s installed on them. If suspicious behavior is suspected and security measures are required, customers can use a cloud-based console to perform security commands such as device freeze, delete data, or – in the event of theft – contact the Absolute Investigations team who will engage with local law enforcement to recover the device.

Operational Impact

SAFER SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT: Reduced risk of theft because thieves recognize that school devices are protected.
SENSITIVE SCHOOL DATA IS PROTECTED: Absolute’s solutions allow the school district to take action to ensure data is protected.
DEVICE RECOVERY: The Absolute Investigations team works with law enforcement to recover missing devices.

Quantitative Benefit