Education
Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace for Schools in 2026
Published: 20 Oct 2025 • 9–12 min read
Picking a platform is about more than email and files. For schools, identity, device management, and safeguarding shape the day-to-day experience for teachers and students. Here’s a practical comparison you can take to your leadership team.
Identity & Access
- Microsoft 365 (Entra ID): Deep Conditional Access controls, strong guest access options for contractors and casuals, rich device-based rules. Works well with on-prem directories where needed.
- Google Workspace: Simple org-unit model, excellent for multi‑campus structures with clear inheritance. App access is easy to reason about and quick to deploy.
Tip: Decide your identity-of-truth first (SIS or HR). Automate provisioning into Entra/Workspace and your LMS. Manual account work is what causes audit issues later.
Devices & Classroom
- Intune (Windows/iPad/macOS/Android): Flexible baselines for shared/classroom devices, kiosk profiles, and exam lockdown. Strong story for mixed estates.
- Google Admin (ChromeOS/iPad/Android): Exceptional for Chromebooks and shared carts. Policies apply quickly, and student sign-in is seamless.
Reality check: Mixed environments are normal. Aim for consistent sign-in and storage policies across platforms, then tune device-specific controls (e.g., Windows Defender + Safe Links on Windows; web filter + app allow‑lists on ChromeOS).
Safeguarding
- Microsoft: Defender for Office (Safe Links/Attachments), Purview DLP, Sensitivity Labels for staff/student separation, Teams chat controls.
- Google: Context-Aware Access, Drive DLP, Classroom/Meet moderation, data regions for sovereignty.
Licensing & Cost Drivers
- M365: Security value appears when you adopt CA/MFA + device compliance + Defender. Budget for staff security SKUs and basic student coverage.
- Workspace: Education Standard/Plus tiers unlock key security and auditing features. Chromebook management requires device licenses.
Recommendations
- Align to your identity strategy first (who provisions what, when).
- Pilot with one cohort (e.g., Year 7) for 6–8 weeks. Measure sign-in success, device health, and teaching feedback.
- Build non‑negotiables: MFA for staff, device compliance, safe links/attachments or equivalent, and backup.
Outcome: a platform choice that fits curriculum delivery and audit needs, with fewer surprises at renewal time.
Security
A Practical Zero‑Trust Roadmap for SMEs
Published: 20 Oct 2025 • 8–10 min read
Zero‑trust isn’t a single product. It’s a sequence of small, enforceable controls that reduce risk without slowing your team down. Here’s a six‑month plan we use with customers.
Month 1–2: Identity First
- Turn on MFA for everyone. Prefer phishing‑resistant methods where possible.
- Create Conditional Access tiers: Baseline (MFA), Compliant‑Device‑Only, and Privileged for admins.
- Disable legacy protocols (IMAP/POP/Basic Auth).
Month 2–3: Device & Access Hygiene
- Roll out device compliance: disk encryption, OS version minimums, EDR/AV, screen lock.
- Block risky sign-ins from unknown devices; require compliant or MAM‑protected devices for email and files.
Month 3–4: Least Privilege
- Implement just‑in‑time admin with approval for elevated tasks.
- Remove standing global admin. Use PAWs or admin‑only VMs for privileged work.
Month 4–5: Network Segmentation
- Separate guest, corporate, and privileged networks. Disable east‑west traffic where possible.
- Move internal apps behind identity‑aware proxies or VPN with device checks.
Month 5–6: Detect & Respond
- Centralise logs. Set priority detections (impossible travel, mass downloads, malware alerts).
- Run a tabletop exercise. Write a 1‑page incident playbook with roles and contacts.
Measure it: track MFA coverage, compliant‑device %, admin approvals per month, and mean‑time‑to‑respond (MTTR). If numbers don’t move, simplify the policy and try again.
Resilience
Backup & Recovery That Actually Works
Published: 20 Oct 2025 • 7–9 min read
Backups fail quietly until they matter. A solid strategy is simple: 3‑2‑1 copies, immutable storage, and regular restore tests. Here’s how to make it stick.
Design the policy
- Pick RPO/RTO by system: what’s an acceptable data loss window and downtime?
- Keep three copies, two media types, one offsite/immutable (e.g., object‑lock or offline).
Cover SaaS
Email and files in Microsoft 365/Google still need a third‑party backup. Accidental deletion and ransomware in sync clients are the usual pain points.
Test quarterly
- Automate a monthly file‑level restore.
- Quarterly: full workload restore to an isolated environment. Record timings and gaps.
Checklist: immutable targets enabled, credentials vaulted, restore runbook documented, alerts wired to your on‑call.
Endpoint Management
Cutting Help‑Desk Noise with Better Intune Policies
Published: 20 Oct 2025 • 6–8 min read
The fastest ticket is the one that never happens. Standard baselines and sensible update rings can drop ticket volume by 20–40% while improving user satisfaction.
Start with a Baseline
- Security baseline: disk encryption, Defender on, SmartScreen, device health reporting.
- User baseline: default apps, OneDrive Known Folder Move, printer provisioning.
Updates without drama
- Stagger update rings: pilot, broad, long‑tail. Block preview builds unless you need them.
- Enable feature freeze during critical business periods.
Self‑service
- Company Portal with common apps and “Fix my device” scripts (clear caches, reset WSUS, re‑register).
- Use remote help or Quick Assist for guided fixes.
Result: fewer printer, profile, and update tickets. Happier users, quieter queue.
Operations
When to Move from Break‑Fix to Managed IT
Published: 20 Oct 2025 • 6–8 min read
If outages and surprise bills are holding you back, it’s time to switch. Here’s how to know you’re ready and what to ask a provider.
Signals it’s time
- Reactive spend outpaces planned improvements.
- Recurring issues: Wi‑Fi flakiness, account lockouts, random slowdowns.
- No clear metrics or ownership.
What a good SLA looks like
- Priority definitions with response/resolve targets.
- Monthly reporting and a quarterly roadmap review.
- Security posture baked in: MFA, backups, patch cadence.
Questions to ask
- How do you handle after‑hours incidents?
- What’s your playbook for ransomware?
- Can we start with a fixed‑price onboarding and a 90‑day exit clause?
Outcome: predictable costs, fewer outages, and a partner accountable to clear targets.
