ICT Solutions News Desk

We would like to ask schools to refrain from turning off the power to the core networking equipment over the forthcoming 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

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 may need to 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
 

Recently, we have seen successful phishing attacks at a number Norfolk schools and we would like to remind you to remain vigilant. Cyber security is frequently in the news and there have been a number of high-profile ones in recent months impacting large companies, schools and councils in London. 

Phishing is when attackers attempt to trick users into doing 'the wrong thing', such as clicking a bad link that will download malware or direct them to a suspicious website. Attacks can install ransomware, sabotage systems, or steal intellectual property and money.

It can be conducted via a text message, social media, or by phone, but the term 'phishing' is mainly used to describe attacks that arrive by email. These types of emails can reach millions of users directly and hide amongst the huge number of emails that busy users receive. 

If something doesn’t feel right, it’s usually because it isn’t. Please think before you click!