The endpoint management challenge in higher education

The education sector evolved rapidly following the pandemic, where remote access to classes and resources became fundamental to day-to-day learning. And the technological advancements haven’t stopped since then. Universities continue to flourish in this era of education, with students benefiting from more accessible learning experiences, smart campuses, and more.  

New technologies undoubtedly offer more varied and engaging learning experiences but also present enormous challenges for IT teams responsible for managing and securing an increasing number of endpoints (i.e., laptops, tablets, and mobile phones). In the face of hybrid work and learning models and an exceptionally increasing number of endpoints, IT teams that are often left with limited resources need modern ways to keep networks operational and secure that keep up with their university’s speed and scale.  

Thankfully, solutions like automated endpoint management can help higher education IT leaders become more efficient, and their organisations more productive and a secure, as they navigate a challenging landscape.  

The expanding IT ecosystem in education 

In recent years, the number of endpoints in higher education has soared, fuelled by the rise of remote learning, the internet of things (IoT), bring your own device (BYOD) policies, and widespread cloud adoption. IT ecosystems are expanding rapidly, and these technologies are now viewed by both students and faculty as essential in creating more interactive and flexible learning environments.   

This boom in digital technology holds the key to campus-wide innovation. Universities are incorporating more IoT devices and automation into their IT infrastructure and building management, optimising energy use, enhancing efficiency, and reducing costs. Remote learning and flexible working options broaden opportunities, allowing universities to attract students from further locations and enabling staff to have more flexible work arrangements.  

Moreover, the move to hybrid and multi-cloud environments offers IT teams a secure and cost-effective way to store student data, documents, and recorded lectures while easily scaling to meet fluctuating demands for network access and IT services.  

With all these advancements, IT leaders are tasked with managing and securing this increasingly complex landscape, ensuring that higher education’s tech-driven future continues to thrive.  

The complexity of IT landscapes at universities 

Although these innovative technologies bring unparalleled benefits to the higher education sector, they also create a new set of challenges for IT teams in managing and securing sprawling endpoints. With the rapid increase in devices, software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications, and hybrid or multi-cloud environments, traditional IT management methods are no longer sufficient to meet the needs of today’s modern higher education institutions.  

Universities, often spread across multiple campuses, cities, or even countries, present a complex landscape for IT teams who cannot be everywhere at once. The diversity of server and networking devices – each with different operating systems, hardware, and software – complicates endpoint management. The surge in technology, while a driver of progress, is one of the most significant learning curves IT teams have ever faced.  

Although demands on IT services grow, budgets are shrinking. Many universities have understaffed IT teams meaning each technician is responsible for managing thousands of endpoints. This makes effectively managing and securing a vast IT ecosystem increasingly difficult, even for seasoned IT leaders.  

This is where automated endpoint management steps in to provide a streamlined, effective approach.  

A simpler approach to IT operations  

Automated endpoint management is a powerful solution that enables IT teams to monitor, secure, and control every endpoint – regardless of location or device. By centralising IT operations and cybersecurity measures, automated endpoint management provides higher education institutions with a "single pane of glass" view, giving IT teams full visibility across all endpoints, from desktop computers and laptops to mobile devices. This comprehensive oversight not only enhances operational efficiency but also strengthens data governance, allowing IT leaders to proactively implement policies that reduce vulnerabilities on a large scale.  

Automated endpoint management streamlines processes, allowing stretched IT teams to automate important tasks such as backups, patching, and security updates. Remote monitoring and control also mean IT teams can support their organisations from anywhere. Universities no longer need to have technicians stationed on every campus or moving between buildings to manage infrastructure and support staff.    

Additionally, automated endpoint management tools offer significant benefits for universities that are operating under tight budgets, because several solutions are consolidated under a single platform. Bringing everything under one umbrella not only simplifies IT management and enhances productivity, but reduces complexity and the surface area for attack – dramatically minimising risk.  

The rapidly increasing number of endpoints across universities presents significant opportunities for improved learning experiences, but also presents new challenges for IT teams. As universities continue to undergo digital transformation over the next decade, it will be vital for organisations to adopt cutting-edge solutions, like automated endpoint management, to support their IT teams. By employing these tools, universities can ensure staff and students can take full advantage of the benefits offered by new technologies, while remaining secure and operational.