Computer Damage in Student Labs

If the doors are locked, then someone with a key is opening the door. Change the locks. Only allow authorized individuals keys to the lab or to have security open the door. Physical access control should be your first line of defense.

What OS is installed on these systems that are having the issues?

If it is Windows, you could use GPO to prevent anyone but certain administrators the rights to install equipment.

And the event logs on the systems should show when equipment was being modified. Are you auditing?

Have you also spoken with the instructors? I've known more than my fair share of tech-wanna-be's in the teacher arena...

there really isn't a way to track changes the way you want. you can limit users abilitites to install new items, drivers, or use them either through local security policy or group policy.

Best bet is put in a camera.

The damage and removal of equipment is being done when labs are open but not in use by a particular class - so changing locks isn't relevant.

It most likely is being done during the time period after the last class finishes and the lab is locked up for the night.

darn those kids attempting to use the school's equipment. the nerve. if they break it, take it.
or....
what if it's the TEACHERS--??
sounds like you have the time window narrowed down. why not hang out at that time and see if who might want help learning how to hook up their equipment. you would find out what is happening and maybe a new way to motivate. maybe you could show them a thing or two or maybe vice versa. do you think they are hooking up bigger speakers or microphones or what? maybe they know where the speakers got to. maybe you can turn vandal into budding audio engineer...when you find out who it is make them guard the room for punishment...

We took all of the cables except the power and found a padlock that would close around them snuggly. They have to take all or nothing.

The small brass locks come in a varity of sizes.

http://www.allpadlocks.com/brass_padlocks.html

You want it so they have to rip the plug off to get the cable past the lock.

You can even add a security cable to the pc.

Lee

surveillance cameras are not expensive anymore
and should be part of every physical security plan

Write the school name in permanent marker prominently in the device. It's ugly, but it's an inexpensive, effective deterrent. Also, physically secure items to the desks. Changing to non-standard jacks would help, too, but likely not feasible.

All who advocate installing a camera and time lapse recorder are offering the best response. Such systems have tumbled in price where they are now only a few hundred bucks. Alternatively and less expensively, consider a network camera delivering the feed to a website. This will allow students to know who's in the lab, if machines are available and foster an uncomfortable environment for thieves.