ICT Services 4 Education

School ICT News Bulletin No. 341 - 15/07/2026

Published by ICT Solutions

eBulletin Items

  1. Microsoft sign-in changes: Passkeys replacing SMS and call verification
  2. Powering off core network equipment over the summer holiday period
  3. Cyber Security Hub issued by DfE
  4. Changes to Google Photos backup settings in Google Drive for desktop
  5. Update Microsoft PowerPoint to maintain captions
  6. Important information - Supply issues affecting some IT quotations

1. Microsoft sign-in changes: Passkeys replacing SMS and call verification

Microsoft is improving the security of Microsoft 365 accounts by making passkeys the default way to verify your identity when signing in.

From September 2026, staff will begin seeing prompts to set up a passkey. Microsoft is also retiring its own text message (SMS) and phone call verification service, as these methods are no longer considered secure enough against modern cyber-attacks.

 

What it means for you

  • You may be asked to set up a passkey the next time you sign in to your Microsoft account.
  • You can initially choose to skip the prompt, but Microsoft will increasingly encourage everyone to use passkeys.                                 

What is a passkey?

A passkey is a more secure way to sign in without relying on a text message code.

Instead of entering a code sent to your phone, you confirm it's you using something you already use to unlock your device, such as:

  • Your fingerprint
  • Face recognition
  • Your device PIN

Passkeys are much harder for criminals to steal or trick you into revealing, making your account significantly more secure.

 

Dates the changes come into effect

  • 1 September 2026 – Microsoft begins prompting users to register a passkey when signing in.
  • 28 January 2027 – Microsoft will stop providing SMS and voice authentication. Passkeys become the recommended default method. Anyone not configured by then will experience sign in issues.

 

For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk

 

2. Powering off core network equipment over the summer holiday period

We would like to ask schools to refrain from turning off the power to the core networking equipment over the forthcoming summer holiday period. Core networking equipment includes routers, switches, and servers, often in a wall or floor cabinet. These devices are monitored by ourselves, Rydal and Schools Broadband and turning off the power results in false alarms. This could potentially result in you incurring a charge for an engineer visit.

 

Please can we also kindly ask those schools who house LoRaWAN gateways to leave these powered on over the holidays, as they serve the community. 

 

If there is no alternative to powering off the equipment, because of planned work, for example, please advise us in advance.

 

For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk

 

3. Cyber Security Hub issued by DfE

The DfE have recently issued a new guide on what you need to know and do to strengthen your school's cyber security. The information is for early years, primary and secondary schools in England.

 

The link is as follows - https://cyber-security-hub.education.gov.uk/

 

4. Changes to Google Photos backup settings in Google Drive for desktop

Google is transitioning desktop photo backups from the Google Drive for desktop interface to a dedicated experience via the Google Photos website or the Google Photos Progressive Web App (PWA).

 

  • Previous behaviour: Google Drive for desktop allowed users to configure desktop folders for backup directly to Google Photos.
  • New behaviour: This functionality will be migrated to a new, dedicated experience on the Google Photos website.
    • To continue backing up their folders to Google Photos, users will need to reselect their preferred backup folders in the new Google Photos interface.
    • Any items previously backed up will remain in Google Photos.

When this will happen

  • Starting June 15, 2026: In-app notifications will begin prompting users to transition to Google Photos.
    • Configuration of new backup folders in the Google Drive for desktop interface will no longer be available.
    • Existing folders will continue to sync.
  • Starting August 10, 2026: Google Drive for desktop will end support for Google Photos backup.

 

Who is affected

Any users who have used Google Drive for desktop photo backup in the last 30 days.

 

What you can do to prepare

To ensure uninterrupted service, users must complete the following actions before August 10, 2026:

  1. Navigate to the Google Photos website or the Google Photos Progressive Web App (PWA).
  2. Reselect the preferred desktop folders for backup.
    Ensure the browser tab for the Google Photos website or the PWA remains open to allow the auto-backup process to complete.

 

For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or email ict@norfolk.gov.uk

 

 

5. Update Microsoft PowerPoint to maintain captions

To maintain a high-quality and reliable experience for live Captions & Subtitles in the Microsoft 365 PowerPoint app, Microsoft is upgrading the backend service that supports this capability. As part of this improvement, older Office client versions will no longer be supported. Updating to the minimum required PowerPoint version ensures continued accessibility, performance, and reliability.

 

When this will happen

Upgrade by the end of September 2026

 

Who is affected

Organizations using Microsoft 365 PowerPoint app (Win32 or Mac)

Users running PowerPoint versions earlier than:

  • Windows (Win32): 16.0.19426.20218
  • macOS: 16.103.1207.4

 

What will happen

Users on unsupported versions will lose access to Captions & Subtitles after the listed dates.

There is no change for users on supported versions.

 

What you can do to prepare

Review PowerPoint client versions across your organization (Windows and Mac).

Update Office clients to:

  • Windows (Win32): 16.0.19426.20218 or later
  • macOS: 16.103.1207.4 or later

 

For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or email ict@norfolk.gov.uk

 

 

6. Important information - Supply issues affecting some IT quotations

We would like to share an important update regarding the current global component supply environment and how it may impact quotations for certain IT equipment, like desktops and laptops, for example.


The technology sector is experiencing broad global constraints across several critical components, most notably memory and certain processor categories. These conditions are being driven by unprecedented demand from large-scale AI infrastructure deployments, combined with supply-side limitations, geopolitical factors, and ongoing shifts in semiconductor manufacturing capacity. This situation is affecting all major OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and customers worldwide across both client and infrastructure portfolios.


At the same time, supplier pricing for these components continues to increase rapidly as industry demand exceeds available capacity. Industry analysts indicate that pricing pressures are expected to continue in the coming quarters as these conditions persist. For example, analysts forecast that global memory chip prices could rise by 40–50% in the first quarter of 2026, with further increases likely in the second quarter. Price increases are also expected from CPU (Central Processing Unit) suppliers.


As a result, the availability of certain components and system configurations is less predictable than in the past, and pricing for systems containing these components continues to adjust in line with ongoing supplier cost increases.


What this means is:


• Some configurations may experience extended lead times or limited availability due to component allocation constraints
• Previously accepted configurations or orders may need to be revisited where component allocation cannot be secured
• Pricing for systems containing constrained components may require adjustment to reflect the current supplier cost environment
• Where possible, we may propose alternative configurations where supply confidence is significantly higher
• Quote, bid, and contract validity periods will be shortened to reflect the pace at which component pricing and availability are changing across the industry

 

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but the situation is outside of our control.

 

For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk
 

 

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