The recent shift to remote learning in higher education left many in IT with the challenge of their professional lives. For others, however, the pivot has been relatively painless— in large part thanks to Intel’s modern manageability technology with Intel Active Management Technology and Intel Endpoint Management Assistant.
Soon after the COVID-19 outbreak forced most institutions to close their campuses, Intel introduced its newest Intel vPro platform. Rhett Livengood, director of digital business enabling in Intel’s Business Client Platform Division, says this innovative technology gives IT administrators access to their fleet of PCs, no matter where the PCs are. “The 10th Gen Intel Core vPro allows IT to remotely complete many endpoint management tasks that previously would have required IT to be there in person,” he says.
The key to the platform’s flexibility is a set of management and security tools that are built into every Intel Core vPro processor-based PC. Intel Active Management Technology gives authorized IT users a hands-off, remote way to power up, maintain, repair and update PCs. IT administrators commonly deploy Intel AMT to patch vulnerable operating systems, while students and staff rely on the technology to use their PCs remotely.
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During the pandemic, many college and university IT teams are using the platform to provide remote assistance over wired and wireless networks — both in-band and out-of-band. They’re also using it for remote reimaging and recovery. “The platform keeps their systems running while helping to protect the health and safety of their staff,” Livengood says. For example, students who need a high-powered workstation to create and edit audio or video can do their work by logging on to any Intel vPro-based workstation that has Intel AMT enabled.
Better Hardware Security Features for Higher Ed
The 10th Gen Intel Core vPro platform also includes integrated Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) and built-in hardware-enhanced security features that help prevent attacks below the operating system. The cutting-edge Wi-Fi technology also enables faster and more reliable connectivity, which is critical for applications such as videoconferencing.
And the security solutions in Intel Hardware Shield help stop planted malware from compromising operating systems by locking down firmware when the software is running. “It’s an answer to the increased security threats we’re seeing a lot of universities struggling with right now,” Livengood says. “These institutions are responsible for sensitive information. It’s important they take measures to protect against an unexpected breach.”
Livengood thinks the Intel vPro platform will see continued adoption among colleges and universities even after the pandemic. After all, the higher education community is no different from other modern industries. There is a growing need for mobility and for technologies that enable greater productivity. As students and staff return to campus, they’ll expect their computer systems to deliver on performance. “IT departments have to allow them to keep being productive without skipping a beat,” he says.
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