CDW-G School Safety Self-Assessment Tool Helps Educational Leaders Identify Security Strengths and Improve Weaknesses
Tool Encourages Schools to Rate Their Security Against National Benchmark
VERNON HILLS, Ill. - June 30, 2008 - CDW Government, Inc. (CDW-G), a wholly owned subsidiary of CDW Corporation and leading source of Information Technology (IT) solutions to educators and governments, today published the 2008 School Safety Index Self-Assessment Tool, enabling school and community leaders to take CDW-G's School Safety Index survey and receive an instant score showing how their school or district compares to the national school safety average, which CDW-G reported in May.
Using the self-assessment tool, school leaders, parents and policy makers answer 12 questions about physical and cyber safety. Each question highlights an indicator of strong school safety programs, as well as the barriers to improved school safety. The self-assessment results are meant to spark discussion about school security at the local school level. The CDW-G School Safety Index Self-Assessment Tool is online at www.schoolsafetyindex.com.
The CDW-G School Safety Index Self-Assessment Tool scores schools and districts on eight safety indicators, or strengths, and four contraindicators, or weaknesses:
Cyber Security Indicators
District Cooperation
Data Monitoring
Network Access
User Authentication
Education
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Physical Security Indicators
Security Tools
Local Authority Communication
Emergency Communication
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Cyber Security Contraindicators
IT Breaches
IT Barriers
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Physical Security Contraindicators
Physical Breaches
Physical Barriers
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"These days, technology plays a key role in helping schools ensure student and staff safety -- especially with tools such as IP cameras that bridge both IT and physical security," said Bob Kirby, senior director, K-12 education, CDW-G. "While the School Safety Index shows that districts are actively pursuing security improvements, breaches keep the school safety discussion top of mind for educators, parents and community leaders. The School Safety Index Self-Assessment Tool helps stakeholders identify key areas of concern for their school or district based on their score so that they can find ways to balance security needs with other priority projects."
CDW-G surveyed more than 400 district IT and security directors to arrive at the national school safety average, which was published in the School Safety Index report in May. For a complete copy of the survey report, please visit www.cdwg.com/schoolsafetyindex.
Key survey findings include:
- More than half of districts are using network access control (NAC) to protect data and help to ensure that only authorized users and approved applications access their networks. However, budget constraints, lack of staff resources and the need for more IT tools cancelled out districts' efforts to improve cyber safety
- Nearly half of districts are utilizing mass notification systems, and 70 percent are using security cameras; 29 percent of districts report that security cameras have had a positive impact on district safety
- Districts should consider the instant access that IP security cameras can give their local police and first responders. While more schools are using security cameras, only a small number of districts provide their local police forces with the ability to access digital footage remotely in real-time during an emergency
About CDW-G
A wholly owned subsidiary of CDW Corporation, ranked No. 39 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies, CDW Government, Inc. (CDW-G) is a leading provider of technology solutions for federal, state and local government agencies, as well as educational institutions at all levels. The company features dedicated account managers who help customers choose the right technology products and services to meet their needs. The company's technology specialists and engineers offer expertise in designing customized solutions, while its advanced technology engineers can assist customers with the implementation and long-term management of those solutions. Areas of focus include notebooks, desktops, printers, servers and storage, unified communications, security, wireless, power and cooling, networking, software licensing and mobility solutions.
For more information about CDW-G product offerings, procurement options, service and solutions, call 1.800.808.4239, email cdwgsales@cdwg.com or visit the CDW-G Web site at CDWG.com.
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