IT CASE STUDY: MicroSaver 2.0® Master Keyed Lock
IT professionals at Stanislaus State needed to streamline access to locked equipment, while deterring theft and keeping devices secure.
AT-A-GLANCE
- Stanislaus State serves a diverse student body of more than 9,000 at two locations in the Central Valley of California
CHALLENGE
- Protect valuable University assets such as projectors, cameras and laptops used in the classroom and by faculty
- Streamline IT access to locked equipment during testing and maintenance process to save
SOLUTION
- Deploy Kensington’s MicroSaver 2.0® Master Keyed Lock for use with individual equipment items in the classroom and laptops available for check out from the help desk
BENEFITS
- Kensington locks provide assurance that equipment is safe and the University’s investments are protected
- Master Key solution offers IT department ease of use and greatly reduces down time
SOLUTION
California State University, Stanislaus serves a diverse student body of more than 9,000 at two locations in the Central Valley of California — a beautiful 228-acre campus in Turlock and the Stockton Center, located in the city’s historic Magnolia District. Widely recognized for its dedicated faculty and high-quality academic programs, the University offers more than 100 majors, minors and areas of concentration, along with 24 master’s degree programs and a doctorate in educational leadership.
Information Technology Consultant Luis Segovia is responsible for maintenance of the University’s technology and audio visual resources across campus that support administrative requirements and academic development. The University has been using a set of older Kensington MicroSaver locks, specifically in Naraghi Hall of Science since its opening in 2007, to secure a variety of computing and audio visual equipment and deter theft.
“A former IT consultant originally purchased individual locks and keys for individual equipment, making it difficult to sort through which keys belonged to which locks,” Segovia said. “This can use up a lot of unnecessary time when we are checking and testing equipment for maintenance purposes.”
The University was in need of a solution that would not only help mitigate theft and protect valuable IT and AV assets, but simplify the locking and unlocking process to improve the efficiency of equipment maintenance.
After consulting with a technology integrator, Segovia was introduced to Kensington’s MicroSaver® 2.0 Keyed Laptop Lock, which is part of the Kensington Master Key Solution.
The MicroSaver 2.0 lock was engineered using patented technologies and underwent rigorous testing protocols to create the latest standard in device security. Because it is part of Kensington’s unique Master Key system, the locks come with a master key that can be used by Segovia and other technicians to access the equipment simply and swiftly. Individual users each still use a unique key for unlocking equipment.
After holding a series of on-site meetings to learn about Stanislaus State and understand its requirements for physical security, Kensington was able to make recommendations for how the University might deploy the MicrosSaver 2.0 lock across campus and for multiple types of equipment.
“We have a variety of assets that need protection, including document and pan to zoom cameras, conference phones, and projectors,” said Segovia. “With the Kensington locks, we’ve eliminated the need for IT to access this equipment with multiple individual keys. A master key that allows access across multiple devices greatly streamlines the process for us.”
The University is also using the MicroSaver 2.0 lock for protecting a set of laptops that are part of a user checkout system. When a faculty member checks out a laptop from the help desk, a MicroSaver 2.0 lock and key are also provided so that the user can secure the laptop if he or she needs to walk away for any reason.
The University is using Kensington’s AC12 Security Charging Cabinet to store and charge the checkout laptops. The cabinet was designed to secure, power and store multiple devices at once, with features that make it flexible and easy to use in different environments. It holds 12 devices and can safely charge all 12 devices simultaneously.