Loan and guest computers to strengthen the University’s IT security
Photo: Johan Ahlenius.
Coming out of an awareness of both the environment and resource efficiency, the Security and Safety Division in cooperation with University IT Services (UIT) has been working to reduce the risks associated with work computers when staff travel abroad, for example.
“Staff travelling abroad need alternatives so that their work computer does not have to go with them. Trips abroad are increasing, and the option of a loan or guest computer is being introduced to reduce the risks associated with these trips. These include computers being hacked or copied in customs, or being stolen. There is also a risk that they contain sensitive information that, under the law, must not leave the EU,” says Veronika Berglund, Head of the Information Security Department at the Security and Safety Division.
A number of used work computers that cannot be upgraded to Windows 11, which would otherwise have been replaced and recycled, have been converted into loan and guest computers. These can now be used by visitors who are guests of our various departments, for example.
Tests have also been conducted during the summer with work computers that staff on trips have taken to a number of different countries, with good results.
“Computers basically continue working until their hardware breaks down. New computers are expensive and have a significant environmental impact. Reusing discarded computers, which technically speaking still have a long life, is smart both environmentally and economically,” says Veronika Berglund.
Once the loan or guest computer has been configured (with "ChromeOS Flex"), only a short command is needed to make it ready for the next user.
Johan Ahlenius