Adam Merry
Independent schools across Australia are facing a new wave of complexity when it comes to managing student devices. The digital learning environment has matured—bringing more tools, more expectations, and significantly more pressure to get things right across security, compliance, and cost.
Recent research with IT leaders in the independent sector shows that many schools are rethinking their approach. The long-preferred BYOD model is quietly losing ground, replaced by more structured, fully managed device environments. Why? Because schools are chasing greater consistency, tighter security, and a better handle on IT support overheads.
“The technology landscape in schools has fundamentally changed,” notes a senior ICT director from NSW. “What worked two years ago simply doesn't meet today's security and compliance requirements.”
Current challenges in school endpoint management
Research Snapshot
80% of schools are actively shifting away from BYOD in younger years
Compliance pressure, inconsistent performance, and equity concerns are accelerating the change.
(SureDeploy Research, 2025)
The security vs. flexibility dilemma
One of the biggest friction points schools face is trying to balance two opposing priorities—keeping systems secure while allowing enough freedom for meaningful learning. On paper, security wins every time. But in a real classroom? Locking things down too tightly can limit how students engage, collaborate, or even complete tasks effectively.
What’s becoming clear is that most schools are now tilting toward security-first strategies, especially in the lower year levels. The driver here isn’t just risk aversion—it’s the reality of increasing compliance obligations and the rising sophistication of cyber threats. As digital exposure grows, so too does the urgency to safeguard school environments, even if that means making tougher calls on device restrictions.
Budget and resource constraints
Let’s be honest: even the best endpoint strategy won’t go far without the people or funding to support it. Many independent schools are already stretched thin—working with lean IT teams, fixed budgets, and the growing weight of subscription-based licensing that turns every year into a new budget headache.
The shift to cloud and always-on services has brought real advantages, however it’s also introduced recurring costs that don’t leave much room for error. Schools are also struggling to attract and keep staff with specialised IT skills, especially those with a background in cybersecurity or educational tech.
Add to that the rising costs of insurance and compliance, and suddenly, the trade-offs become very real. Managing multiple systems across year levels, platforms, and apps without tight integration? That’s the norm—not the exception.
The complexity of multiple device policies
It’s common for schools to adopt different device policies depending on student year levels. This makes sense in theory—older students have more freedom; younger ones need more guardrails. But in practice, it creates a management nightmare.
Supporting mixed policies means juggling everything from group policies to security exceptions to user permissions that vary daily. IT teams have to make it all work without opening gaps in security or compromising learning access. The result is a constant balancing act—one that too often relies on makeshift fixes instead of sustainable systems.
Research Snapshot
The shift to 1:1 managed policies is gaining pace
Driven by security demands, standardised testing, and strong parental support for consistent device control.
(SureDeploy Independent Schools Report, 2025)
Core elements of a successful school endpoint management strategy
1. Adopt a unified management vision
For a successful endpoint strategy, start with a clear vision that aligns with your educational goals and values. This prevents fragmented tools and inconsistent user experiences.
Effective tech management should reflect your teaching model, prioritize student safety and autonomy, and ensure consistent experiences across platforms. Governance is crucial to avoid "shadow IT," where staff set up unapproved tools that cause long-term issues.
2. Implement device lifecycle planning
A mature device strategy covers the entire lifecycle of a device, from smart procurement and deployment to regular maintenance and secure decommissioning. Schools should choose devices that offer performance, durability, and compatibility with management tools.
Consistency is key during deployment—uniform builds and security policies are essential. Regular updates and patches are crucial, and when devices reach end-of-life, schools must ensure secure data removal and environmentally responsible disposal. Planning for the full lifecycle helps smooth budget spikes and prepare for device failures or new requirements.
3. Develop a comprehensive security framework
Security in schools has grown up fast. What used to be based on trust and good intentions now needs to meet the standards of “zero trust” models. That means assuming no user or device is safe by default and building layered protection around identity, access, and usage.
A modern framework should include centralised management—typically through platforms like Microsoft Intune—alongside robust content filtering, role-based access, and proactive monitoring tools.
Staff and students need targeted training, too, especially around phishing and online safety. And when things go wrong (because they will), a clear response playbook is essential to act quickly and limit damage.
4. Create sustainable budget models
Technology needs funding, well, more importantly, it needs predictable funding. Schools can’t keep operating with “set and forget” capital expenditure cycles when most modern tools rely on ongoing subscriptions and cloud services.
Switching to operational expenditure models helps schools spread cost over time and align tech spend with actual usage. Planning predictable replacement cycles reduces surprises. And yes, you’ll need to earmark budget for professional development too—it’s hard to get value out of a tool if no one knows how to use it properly.
5. Address staffing and expertise needs
Some schools try to do it all internally. Others lean on external partners. Most are realising a hybrid model is the most realistic path forward—particularly when it comes to security and compliance.
In-house teams bring deep understanding of school needs and faster response times. But external partners can bring specialist skills and scale that schools simply can’t afford to develop alone. The trend? Many are using managed service providers to fill gaps, especially in areas like endpoint security, threat detection, and audit readiness.
Implementation strategies for sustainable endpoint management
Phased implementation approaches
Rolling out a new endpoint strategy doesn’t have to mean flipping the entire system overnight. In fact, the schools seeing the most success are those that take a staged, structured approach. Start simple—introduce changes where they’re most likely to stick, like in junior years where device use is more contained and students benefit from guided digital routines.
Begin with the basics: enable multi-factor authentication, standardise your enrolment process, and deploy centralised management through platforms like Intune. Use pilot groups to test new policies or tools before full rollout. And don’t underestimate the power of communication—make sure staff, parents, and students understand what’s changing, why it matters, and how it supports learning. Transparency builds support, even for unpopular decisions.
Balancing security with educational needs
Locking everything down might be tempting, especially when managing risk is front of mind. But rigid policies don’t always serve students well—especially older ones who need flexibility for creative, technical or self-directed tasks.
One way to manage this is by using tiered security profiles. Give younger students highly managed environments to build digital literacy, and gradually relax controls for older year levels as they demonstrate responsibility or require access to specialised tools. When you do monitor usage, focus on signals of concern, not constant surveillance. Be upfront about what you’re tracking and why, and have a process for approving exceptions for students with unique learning needs or legitimate project requirements.
Measuring effectiveness
Once your endpoint policies are set, regular reviews are essential. Track security incidents, classroom tech disruptions, and support trends. Benchmark against frameworks like the Essential Eight and compare outcomes with similar schools to identify gaps or strengths.
Preparing for future technology trends
Our research with ICT leaders highlights several emerging trends that will impact school endpoint management strategies:
- Increasing focus on automation and AI:
Automation is becoming essential, freeing up IT staff by handling tasks like software deployment and threat detection. AI-powered tools assist in identifying and responding to risks efficiently. - Greater integration of security and management tools:
Schools are moving towards unified platforms for endpoint management, security, and compliance. This central visibility ensures quick action and comprehensive oversight.
- More nuanced approach to student device policies:
Schools are adopting layered policies that reflect different maturity levels and course needs. This approach balances autonomy with necessary guidance.
Implementing a strong endpoint strategy isn’t just about plugging the gaps. It’s about building a sustainable, future-ready environment that supports learning, keeps data secure, and doesn’t break the budget—or your team.
The research shows a clear direction of travel: more schools are moving to managed device environments, especially for younger students. But the key is thoughtful implementation. A well-designed strategy balances control with flexibility, risk with reality, and technical needs with educational outcomes.
Does your device management approach reflect the latest trends in educational technology? Learn how independent schools across Australia are evolving their strategies in our whitepaper, Beyond BYOD: Redefining Device Strategies in Australian Independent Schools.
