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9 Ways Schools Can Meet the Moment with Digital Confidence

Michael Conlon walks us through how schools can tackle the digital education landscape.

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Michael Conlon

Michael is XMA’s Education Transformation Consultant. With over 25 years in teaching and leadership he has sat through more strategy meetings and indulged more fads than he cares to admit, but still loves help schools make sense of digital transformation—without the jargon, and ideally without the panic.

The UK Government’s digital and technology standards for schools and colleges set a clear direction: resilient infrastructure, inclusive access, and strategic leadership. At XMA, we believe in empowering educators with agnostic, future-ready solutions that meet these standards and elevate learning. Here’s how:

  1. Cloud Platforms That Work for Everyone

Whether it’s Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, we guide schools through seamless cloud adoption, ensuring secure access, data protection, and long-term cost efficiency.

  1. Cyber Security That Protects Learning

From endpoint protection to staff training, our cyber resilience solutions align with DfE standards and keep digital environments safe for students and educators.

  1. Devices Designed for Education

We supply and configure devices that meet curriculum needs—whether it’s 1:1 student access or shared classroom sets—ensuring performance, security, and longevity.

  1. Digital Inclusion for Every Learner

We help schools audit and implement accessibility tools, ensuring that all students, no matter their learning challenges, can engage fully with digital learning.

  1. Filtering and Monitoring That Safeguards

For you’re core duty, our safeguarding solutions meet statutory guidance, giving schools peace of mind with intelligent filtering and real-time monitoring.

  1. Leadership That Drives Strategy

We work with MATs and Local Authorities to establish their digital maturity, and develop digital strategies that align with governance standards, budget realities, and long-term goals.

  1. Sustainable Server and Storage Solutions

Whether cloud-first or hybrid, our server and storage options need to meet environmental and security standards.

  1. Professional Development That Sticks

Technology is redundant if people don’t know how to use it effectively. We offer training and support that builds digital confidence across teaching and support staff.

  1. Keeping your eye on the horizon

XMA excel at anticipating and leaning into tomorrow’s technologies to bring solutions to customers that add value and improve how they work.

At XMA, we don’t push products—we build partnerships. Our agnostic approach means we focus on what works best for your context, your learners, and your goals. If you’re interested in your school becoming more Digital Confident, contact us at enquiries@xma.co.uk. 

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Android Desktop: Potential Use Cases and Benefits

This is the second in a series of blog posts exploring Android Desktop. Our Head of Pre-Sales, Scott Wright, will be looking at the current state of Android Desktop, following its improvement as release approaches, examining use cases, looking at essential apps & peripherals and more. 

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Scott Wright

Scott is XMA’s Head of Pre-Sales. An IT industry greybeard, he violated his own rule about being an early adopter when he bought the first Android phone at launch and hasn’t regretted that decision.

Most of this blog will be talking about the benefits of a mobile device with any sort of desktop interface, rather than Android Desktop specifically, so before we start that let’s talk for a moment about why the launch of Android Desktop is causing such a buzz. 

Desktop solutions for Android are currently available from several device vendors with Samsung’s DeX being the most established. Motorola Ready-For (also on Lenovo ThinkPhones), Huawei Desktop Mode and Xiaomi MIUI Desktop mode are also available. These solutions are vendor specific which raises concerns for many organisations, should the vendor cease supporting them then the organisation will be forced to change device in order to continue with their device strategy. With Android Desktop as a core part of the Android offering (and Apple promising to follow suit) not only is desktop mode legitimised a standard phone feature but organisations adopting a vendor specific solution like DeX have a fall-back plan that does not require device replacement, substantially reducing risk. As such, there is considerable interest in Android Desktop, even from organisations who are considering or who have adopted a vendor specific solution. 

Below I am going to expound on some of the possible benefits and give examples of the use cases that might realise those benefits. 

Benefits: Managed Device Reduction 

The most immediate benefit for many organisations will be a reduction in devices. Many organisations are issuing both a laptop and mobile to a large cohort of users with fairly light computing requirements. This is especially wasteful for front-line workers for whom the mobile is the primary device and the laptop is an occasional use device. Replacing the managed laptop with a laptop-shaped docking station (“lapdock”, more on these in a future blog post) reduces cost but also reduces the number of devices requiring licences and updates, eliminates a large number of devices as potential sources of data loss (a laptop left in a taxi, for example, cannot contain any data as it is merely a docking station) and more. Shared desktops can also be replaced with docking stations or docking monitors, reducing the number of managed devices.  

Benefits: Shared Desktops 

For users with a mobile device who also use shared desktops, for example many healthcare workers, solutions such as VDI, roaming profiles, follow-me desktop and similar are used to make moving between shared desktops as seamless as possible but typically have substantial cost and complexity associated with them. These solutions and the shared desktops themselves can be eliminated and replaced with docking stations or docking monitors while providing an even more seamless working experience, not only between shared desktops but also between desktop and mobile device, allowing healthcare professionals to transition seamlessly between patient interaction spaces and desk-based working. 

Benefits: Security Implications 

Anywhere that shared devices are in use presents a challenge for data security. Data must not be unintentionally accessible between users and this is especially important in settings where that data is highly sensitive, such as a clinical or law enforcement settings. With most Police officers being issued a mobile device, utilising docking monitors in place of shared desktops for docking stations prevents inadvertent data access between users via the shared device.  Using lapdocks rather than laptops as a car-working solution means that it is impossible for data to be stored locally, reducing the risk associated with device theft. 

This benefit is also useful in other contexts, for example many higher education institutions have a pool of shared devices which are made available to learners. The HE organisation must ensure not only that data does not inadvertently pass between users but also that malware which might be introduced by a user does not impact other users of that shared device. By offering a pool of shared lapdocks, rather than laptops, these concerns can be eliminated. This will, of course, require waiting for most mobile devices to offer a desktop mode – likely several years before most Android and Apple devices are running a suitable operating system version. 

Benefits: Attracting Younger Workers / Learners

Many of the young people entering work or higher education have limited Windows / MacOS experience. Their personal devices are mobiles or tablets and the bulk of their school IT experience is using Chromebooks or iPads. Several regions will shortly see the first cohort of learners leaving school who have had a Chromebook or iPad as their learning device for the entirety of their secondary education and over the coming years this will increasingly become standard.

Offering a mobile-centric working experience, even if only as an option, may allow business and HE organisations to make themselves more attractive to these young persons that they are seeking to attract.

So, in summary, while this solution may not be suitable for all users at this time, organisations may be able to realise a reduction in managed devices and their associated costs, increased user satisfaction and an improved security posture.

The next post will explore the current state of Android Desktop in Beta and the functionality offered. If you’re interested in exploring an Android desktop solution, contact us at enquiries@xma.co.uk.

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Intelligent Endpoints: The New Standard for IT Success

Is your IT estate working for you, or are you simply working for it? 

Modern devices provide a strong foundation for any organisation, delivering the performance and built-in security that business operations depend on. But as environments become more complex, that foundation is no longer enough. The real challenge has moved beyond the device itself and into the user’s experience. When that experience is poor, the consequences are significant. 

The focus must now be on the Digital Employee Experience (DEX). Far from a passing trend, it’s now a strategic imperative. According to Gartner, by 2026, 50% of digital workplace leaders will have a DEX strategy and tool in place.1 The reason is simple: data shows that 74% of workers feel they lack the right technology to be successful2, and a staggering 34% are living with ongoing IT problems that their service desk is unable to fix.3 

This is a gap that needs to be closed. The solution requires a fundamental shift in perspective: turning your endpoints from passive tools into proactive, intelligent assets. 

 

The Next Evolution: From Endpoint to Insight Point 

So how do you bridge the gap between device potential and employee reality? The answer lies in data. 

HP’s Workforce Experience Platform (WXP) is a cloud-based platform designed to meet this challenge directly. It gives IT teams centralised visibility and control over their entire digital ecosystem by collecting and analysing data from all connected endpoints. 

 

A Single Platform for Your Entire Fleet 

A common obstacle to achieving a unified view of IT is the diverse nature of a typical device estate. Real-world environments are not homogenous. They are a complex mix of hardware and software from different vendors, acquired over many years. 

HP’s WXP is designed for this reality. It is a true multi-vendor platform, built to be completely manufacturer and OS agnostic. Whether your estate consists of PCs from Dell and Lenovo, Apple Macs, or a mix of all three, WXP provides a single source of truth. The platform sees it all, integrating data not just from PCs, but also from printers, video and audio endpoints, virtual machines, and software applications to give you a complete picture. 

The platform works by gathering and processing billions of data points from across this entire IT estate. Its AI engine analyses this telemetry to identify performance trends, predict hardware failures, and flag security issues (often before they impact your users). This is how you move from a reactive “break-fix” model to a proactive one. It’s the difference between fighting fires and preventing them from ever starting. 

 

Real-World Problems Solved by WXP 

Adopting a platform like WXP solves the specific, resource-draining problems that IT teams face every day. 

Problem

Nearly half of all employees don’t contact IT when they experience issues that impact their work.  

More than an inconvenience, it’s a silent drain on productivity and a source of constant friction. Every unreported issue is a hidden cost, and every unresolved ticket is a crack in your operational foundation. 

The WXP Solution

The platform’s predictive analytics identify issues before a user even knows to complain. It can flag that batteries on a group of devices are failing and need replacement under warranty, or identify that Teams is crashing frequently across the organisation. 

This allows IT to address the root cause, slash ticket volumes, and improve first-call resolution rates. 

Problem

A single non-compliant device is a potential entry point for a catastrophic breach. Manually trying to keep up is no longer a viable strategy, a gamble you can’t afford to lose.

The WXP Solution

WXP provides a single dashboard to monitor fleet-wide security in real-time. It delivers specific, actionable alerts, such as “Windows Secure Boot disabled on ≥ 5% of devices” or “BitLocker disabled on 3% of devices”.

This gives IT teams the forensic data needed to remediate vulnerabilities and prove compliance without the burden of manual audits.

Problem

Every piece of under-utilised hardware gathering dust in a storeroom is wasted budget.

Every kilowatt of unnecessary power consumption is a missed opportunity to reduce costs and meet crucial environmental goals.

The WXP Solution

The platform helps improve IT ROI by identifying under-utilised assets that can be re-deployed elsewhere in the business, reducing unnecessary hardware spend.

On the sustainability front, it can monitor power consumption across the device fleet, providing the tangible data needed to support environmental reporting and drive down operational costs.

 

Why This Matters for Stretched IT Teams

For Enterprise IT Directors, their mandate is to mitigate risk, govern a complex estate, and align technology with business strategy. WXP delivers the data needed to make that happen. It provides the evidence required to move from tactical firefighting to strategic leadership, making informed investment decisions and proving the business value of the IT function to the board.

For Public Sector IT Managers, the pressure to deliver more with less is relentless, alongside strict security and procurement rules. WXP helps these teams by automating routine compliance and security checks, freeing up specialist resources to focus on critical projects. The platform’s ability to provide hard data on asset utilisation and power consumption provides the justification needed to prove value-for-money—a cornerstone of public sector accountability.

As workplace environments become more complex, ignorance is not an option. Intelligence is everything. By transforming endpoints into sources of intelligence, the HP Workforce Experience Platform provides the tools to build a more secure, efficient, and resilient IT environment.

To see exactly how the HP Workforce Experience Platform can be applied to your organisation, book a free, no-obligation demo with one of our specialists today. Talk to your Account Manager or contact us at enquiries@xma.co.uk.

Footnotes: 
1. Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Digital Employee Experience Management Tools, Dan Wilson, Tom Cipolla, et al., 6 March 2025. Gartner is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. 
2. HP Internal Research 
3. Forrester, State of the Services Desk, 2024 Published February 21, 2024 

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The PSTN and ISDN Switch-Off Is Happening. Your Business Needs a Plan.

The UK’s traditional phone network, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which also includes Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines, is being permanently switched off. The final date for this is 31st January 2027. As of September 2023, it is no longer possible to buy new PSTN or ISDN services.

This is not a simple change. It will affect any device that uses a traditional phone line. This includes not just your office phones, but also other systems such as:

  • Fax machines
  • Alarm systems (intruder and fire)
  • Door entry systems
  • CCTV
  • EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) terminals
  • Franking machines
  • Telecare and medical alert devices

If your business relies on any of these, you need to act now to avoid service disruption. One year ago, we told you about the initial changes. Now, let’s see if there have been any crucial updates.

Why is this happening?

The PSTN is old technology. It’s expensive to maintain and cannot deliver the speed or reliability required for modern business communications. The move to digital, IP-based services like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a necessary technological step forward.

What does this mean for your business?

All voice and data services that currently use the PSTN or ISDN will need to be migrated to an IP-based alternative. This means you will be using your internet connection to make calls and transmit data. The benefits of moving to a digital system include:

  • Cost Savings: Lower monthly fees and reduced hardware costs are common.
  • Flexibility: Your staff can work from any location with an internet connection. It is also straightforward to add or remove users as your business needs change.
  • Improved Functionality: Modern VoIP systems offer advanced features like video conferencing, call routing and integration with other business software.
  • Business Continuity: In the event of an outage, calls can be automatically rerouted to other locations or mobile devices, ensuring you stay connected.

What you need to do

The 2027 deadline is final. To ensure a smooth transition, you should start planning now. XMA can help you by:

  1. Auditing Your Systems: We will identify all devices and services in your organisation that rely on the PSTN or ISDN. This includes not just the obvious, but also the easily overlooked systems like alarms and payment terminals.
  2. Assessing Your Connectivity: We will analyse your current internet connection to ensure it has the capacity and reliability to handle your voice and data traffic. We can recommend and implement any necessary upgrades.
  3. Migrating Your Services: We have partnered with RingCentral, a leading provider of cloud communications solutions, to offer a straightforward migration path to VoIP. We will manage the process for you, from planning to implementation, to ensure a seamless transition with minimal disruption to your business.

Don’t wait until the last minute. The move to all-IP is a significant change, and leaving it too late could result in a loss of service and impact your business operations.

Talk to your XMA Account Manager, or contact us today at enquiries@xma.co.uk to discuss your requirements and create a migration plan that is right for your business.

Why Mission-Critical Public Services Need Mission-Ready Infrastructure

When the network goes down, public services stall. In an NHS trust, it can disrupt access to patient records on an A&E ward. For a local council, it could halt the processing of essential benefits. For a police force, it means delayed access to real-time data in the field. In education, it blocks access to learning portals for thousands of students. 

The reliability and security of the network are no longer just IT concerns, they are fundamental to the delivery of front-line public services across the UK. 

 

Growing Demands on Outdated Foundations 

Public sector organisations are under pressure to digitalise services, improve operational efficiency, and meet the evolving expectations of the citizens they serve. However, many are attempting to build these modern services on network infrastructure that was not designed for today’s demands. 

This creates a cascade of operational risks: 

  • Siloed and Complex Systems: Many organisations operate with disjointed network and security architectures, with separate pockets of compute and storage. This legacy complexity makes centralised management, security policy enforcement, and clear visibility difficult to achieve.  
  • Increased Reliance on Digital: The sheer volume and velocity of data traffic from modern, cloud-centric applications require a network that can keep pace. Traditional architectures often struggle, leading to performance bottlenecks that impact user experience. 
  • An Evolving Threat Landscape: As services become more digital, their attack surface expands, making cybersecurity a primary concern for organisations of all sizes. The security architectures in many data centres have not advanced at the same rate as the network fabrics themselves, leaving them vulnerable.  
  • Resource and Budget Constraints: Public sector bodies face the persistent challenge of delivering more with less. They need solutions that reduce appliance sprawl and the associated infrastructure and maintenance costs, while also freeing up valuable IT staff from day-to-day firefighting.  

 

A New Standard for Mission-Ready Infrastructure 

To meet these challenges, public sector organisations need to move beyond legacy designs. They require a new standard of “mission-ready infrastructure” built on a foundation of modern, data centre networking. This approach is defined by a set of core capabilities designed for the specific pressures of the public mission. 

  • Zero Trust Security Built-In: A Zero Trust model is an essential security practice that assumes an attacker is already present in the environment. This means moving security closer to applications by inspecting all east-west traffic within the data centre, applying policies to prevent bad actors from moving laterally across the network.  
  • Automation Driven by AI: Manual, reactive processes are no longer viable. The modern network requires automation and AI-powered operations (AIOps) to integrate with cloud platforms, establish and secure connections, and manage the infrastructure. This allows IT teams to automatically detect anomalies and receive actionable solutions, freeing them to focus on high-value activities.  
  • Hybrid and Cloud-Ready: Infrastructure decisions must be driven by application and workload placement, not the other way around. A mission-ready network supports a hybrid reality, providing a consistent operational model across on-premises data centres, colocation facilities, and public clouds.  
  • Scalable, Consumption-Based Models: To manage budgets and meet sustainability goals, organisations need to move away from cycles of over-provisioning. A flexible, pay-as-you-go consumption model allows for elastic IT, so you only pay for what you use, when you need it.  

 

How XMA and HPE Aruba Networking Deliver 

As a compliant specialist for the UK public sector, XMA provides the solutions and expertise to build this mission-ready infrastructure, in partnership with HPE Aruba Networking. This is not a theoretical model; the technology is available today. 

The HPE Aruba Networking CX 10000 Series switch, for example, represents a new category of data centre switch. It combines high-performance Ethernet switching with an embedded Data Processing Unit (DPU) to create a distributed services architecture.  

This delivers tangible benefits: 

  • Distributed Services at the Edge: Instead of bolting on security appliances, a distributed services switch integrates functions like micro-segmentation, east-west firewalling, NAT, and encryption directly into the network fabric at the top-of-rack. This brings security and services closer to the applications, reducing latency and complexity.  
  • Security Without Compromise: This architecture extends Zero Trust deep into the data centre. It provides the scale and performance needed to secure mission-critical workloads without requiring software agents on servers, which frees up valuable CPU cycles for applications.  
  • Flexible Delivery with HPE GreenLake: The entire infrastructure can be delivered as a service through HPE GreenLake. This provides a cloud-like experience wherever your applications and data live, with a single contract and a pay-as-you-go model that aligns with public sector budget realities.  

 

Infrastructure for the Front Line 

  • NHS Trust: By distributing security services to the top-of-rack switch, a trust can isolate critical clinical applications and patient data, helping to meet compliance mandates and improving system uptime without adding costly new appliances. 
  • Local Council: A council can use a distributed services architecture to securely integrate data between departments, creating a unified platform for citizen services while ensuring strict data sovereignty and access controls are maintained. 
  • Police Force: Real-time data sharing from control rooms to frontline officers is critical. A modern, automated network provides the secure, low-latency connectivity needed to ensure this information is available without disruption. 
  • University: A distributed architecture provides the ability to micro-segment the network, safely isolating student, staff, research, and operational traffic while delivering secure, high-performance access for a hybrid campus environment. 

 

Your Mission is Our Focus 

In the public sector, infrastructure is now inseparable from the mission. Outdated networks are no longer a technical debt to be managed; they are a direct risk to service delivery. 

Building a secure, scalable, and automated network is the foundation for a resilient and innovative public service. It is what enables your organisation to meet its objectives, safely and efficiently. 

To learn more about the technical foundations of a modern network, download the HPE “Five Design Principles for a Smarter Data Center” brochure.  

Download Now

To discuss how your organisation can build its own mission-ready infrastructure, book a consultation with an XMA public sector specialist today. Contact your XMA Account Manager or email enquiries@xma.co.uk. 

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Inside the University of Lincoln’s State-of-the-Art ASUS Republic of Gamers Lab

The University of Lincoln needed to revitalise its outdated computer labs. Their vision was to create a state-of-the-art facility to attract top student talent and support advanced academic work. By partnering with XMA and ASUS Republic of Gamers, this vision became the impressive Republic of Gamers Lab. 

Here’s a snapshot of the project’s success: 

  • A World-Class Immersive Facility: The lab now features over 140 high-performance PCs, including nearly 60 premier Republic of Gamers-branded systems. The setup is enhanced with ultra-wide ASUS TUF monitors, a full suite of Republic of Gamers peripherals, and a bespoke, retro 80s-themed art wall. 
  • A Versatile Hub for Innovation: This is more than just a computer lab. It’s a versatile space designed to support demanding fields like AI, robotics, and game design. It also serves as a dynamic venue for hackathons and game jams, fostering a strong sense of community. 
  • A Partnership Delivering Tangible Results: The strategic move to high-performance Republic of Gamers hardware resulted in delivering performance where it matters. The lab’s striking aesthetic and strong branding also serve as a powerful marketing asset for the university. 

See the full story behind this incredible transformation. 

Read the full case study now 

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From Reactive to Proactive: How The Recent Retail Breaches Signal Escalating UK Cyber Threats

Recent cyber-attacks on Marks & Spencer and Co-op underscore a dangerous reality for UK businesses: cybercriminals are increasingly sophisticated and bold. These incidents, causing significant operational disruption and potential data breaches, demand a renewed focus on robust cyber resilience.

The attacks hit M&S with online order issues potentially costing over £300 million and lasting until July. Co-op also took systems offline due to a potential attack involving stolen customer and staff data held for ransom. Some reports link these, and a Harrods incident, to the DragonForce group, with police also investigating the Scattered Spider collective, known for social engineering tactics.

These are not isolated events. The UK faces a surge in advanced cyber-attacks. The Government’s 2025 Cyber Security Breaches Survey found that 43% of businesses experienced a breach or attack in the last year, a figure rising to 67% for medium and 74% for large businesses. Phishing remains a dominant tactic, cited by 85% of those breached, with AI now increasing scam sophistication. Ransomware attacks are a major concern, having reportedly doubled in prevalence year-on-year among UK businesses in 2025, affecting an estimated 19,000 organisations, following significant increases in previous years. While the average cost of the most disruptive breach for medium and large UK businesses was £10,830 in 2024, major incidents demonstrate that these costs can be far higher. Alarmingly, recent surveys indicate that only a minority of UK businesses are adequately prepared, with as few as 31% conducting a cyber risk assessment in 2024 and just 15% having a formal incident management plan.

These statistics highlight a clear and present danger. A reactive cybersecurity approach is no longer enough.

Building Cyber Resilience with XMA

Proactive, comprehensive cyber resilience is crucial. XMA provides tailored cybersecurity solutions and expert guidance to bolster defences and ensure swift recovery. We begin with understanding your current security stance through Cyber Security Assessments, including Cyber Essentials, industry framework mapping, and detailed checks of Active Directory, M365 security, email health, network security, and shadow IT.

We then focus on bolstering your defences by deploying a wide array of cutting-edge security solutions. This includes Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR), robust Identity & Access Management (IAM), data loss prevention (DLP), secure email and web gateways, and web application and API protection (WAAP). For organisations leveraging cloud environments, we offer Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) and Cloud Workload Protection Platforms (CWPP).

XMA further strengthens your corporate network by securing your networks and infrastructure with solutions like Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), Network Access Control (NAC), and specialised security for IoT and Operational Technology (OT). Arguable, one of the most important steps is recognising the human element, so we guide your staff through Security Awareness Training to combat threats like phishing. We also make sure you have everything you need to meet Cyber Security Essentials standards. Crucially, we help ensure business continuity with robust backup, recovery, and disaster recovery solutions, whether data is stored on-premises, or in the cloud. We employ a wide array of subject matter experts for testing, transformation, compliance, implementation, and advisory needs, acting as an extension of your team.

The attacks on M&S and Co-Op are stark warnings. Cybersecurity is a fundamental business risk requiring strategic investment. Partnering with XMA helps businesses build a resilient cybersecurity posture against today’s and tomorrow’s sophisticated attacks.

Don’t wait. Contact XMA today at enquiries@xma.co.uk to enhance your cyber resilience.

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Venues, Be Prepared: Martyn’s Law is Coming

The UK government is set to implement Martyn’s Law, officially known as The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, a new piece of legislation designed to enhance public safety and security at venues across the country. This law, driven by the tragic events at the Manchester Arena in 2017, will place new responsibilities on a wide range of public spaces.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on April 3, 2025, and while an implementation period of at least 24 months is anticipated to allow for the establishment of the regulator (the Security Industry Authority – SIA) and for businesses to prepare, the time for venues to start planning is now.

The core purpose of Martyn’s Law is to ensure that those responsible for publicly accessible locations are prepared for, and can respond to, terrorist attacks. It aims to embed a culture of security, ensuring that appropriate and proportionate measures are in place to protect people. This will affect a wide array of public spaces, including but not limited to, community centres, places of worship, libraries, museums, galleries, theatres, sports grounds, and larger entertainment venues.

Key Adaptations Venues Will Need to Make:

Martyn’s Law will introduce a tiered approach based on the capacity of the venue, impacting a significant number of organisations:

  • Standard Tier: This is expected to apply to venues with a capacity of 200 to 799 individuals. Key requirements will likely focus on undertaking risk assessments and implementing “reasonably practicable” and low-cost security measures. This will also involve providing staff with appropriate terrorism protection training and preparedness plans.
  • Enhanced Tier: Venues with a capacity of 800 or more individuals will fall under this tier. They will face more stringent requirements, including conducting detailed risk assessments, developing and maintaining a comprehensive security plan, and potentially implementing physical security measures such as CCTV, intruder detection, and secure communication systems. They will also need to formally notify the SIA of their premises and appoint a designated senior individual responsible for compliance.
  • Risk Assessment and Planning: All in-scope venues will need to formally assess the terrorism risks they face and develop clear procedures for how they would respond in the event of an attack. This includes plans for evacuation, invacuation (lockdown), and communication with staff and the public.
  • Staff Training: A crucial element will be ensuring that staff are adequately trained to understand the risks, identify suspicious activity, and know how to enact security procedures effectively.
  • Collaboration with Authorities: Enhanced Tier venues, in particular, will likely need to demonstrate collaboration with local authorities and emergency services.

Technological Support for Compliance:

Understanding and implementing the requirements of Martyn’s Law can seem daunting. Various technology solutions can support venues in meeting their new obligations. These can range from straightforward, out-of-the-box systems to fully customised solutions designed around the unique layout and risk profile of a venue. Such technologies may include:

  • Public Address and Voice Alarm (PAVA) Systems: Crystal-clear, reliable communication is vital during an incident. Advanced PAVA systems, integrated with emergency alerts, can ensure instructions reach everyone effectively.
  • CCTV and Surveillance: Modern CCTV systems offer high-definition imagery, intelligent analytics, and remote access, forming a key part of any security plan and meeting both surveillance and data protection requirements.
  • Access Control and Intrusion Detection: Managing who has access to different areas of a venue and detecting unauthorised entry are critical. Robust access control systems and intruder alarms can be implemented.
  • Digital Signage and Information Displays: Beyond advertising, digital displays can be crucial for disseminating emergency information and guidance during a crisis.
  • Integrated Control Rooms: For larger venues, centralised control rooms can bring together feeds from CCTV, PAVA, and other security systems for a comprehensive overview and coordinated response.

When considering these solutions, it is beneficial to work with providers who can conduct thorough site assessments, understand specific risks, and design tailored systems that integrate seamlessly with existing operations. This could involve complex network integrations, specialised audio zoning, or phased implementations.

Adapting to new legislation can also bring financial considerations. Flexible financing and purchase options may be available to meet the varying budgetary needs of different venues, whether through outright purchase, phased investment, or managed service agreements.

Don’t wait until the deadline approaches. The time to prepare for Martyn’s Law is now.

To discuss your venue’s specific needs and learn how expertise in technology solutions can help you create a safer environment for your staff and visitors, ensuring you meet and exceed the requirements of this important new legislation, you can contact XMA today. Talk to your Account Manager or email; enquiries@xma.co.uk.

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XMA, Pure Storage and a New Era of Flexibility & Data Resilience for Higher Education

The UK’s Higher Education (HE) sector is a global powerhouse of research, innovation, and learning. This dynamic environment thrives on data, from invaluable student records and sensitive research to critical operational information. However, this reliance on data also presents a significant and growing target for cyber-attacks. For universities and colleges, the consequences of a data breach or ransomware attack extend far beyond immediate financial costs, risking reputational damage, disruption to essential services, and the potential loss of irreplaceable academic work. 

XMA understands these evolving challenges. We are committed to providing HE institutions with robust, forward-thinking solutions. That’s why our long-standing strategic partnerships are so crucial. The recent announcement of a new strategic relationship between Pure Storage and Nutanix (two of XMA’s key partners for many years) further strengthens our ability to deliver exceptional value and reinforces our foresight in selecting partners that truly benefit the sector. This synergy allows us to offer even more integrated and powerful solutions for your modern data infrastructure needs. 

We’ll explain how, through XMA, the combination of Pure Storage’s innovative technology and flexible approach can enable universities to build true cyber resilience and achieve greater operational agility. 

XMA, Pure Storage, and Nutanix Amplifies the Power of Partnership 

For institutions already leveraging Nutanix through XMA, the new strategic partnership between Pure Storage and Nutanix is particularly compelling. This collaboration is designed to deliver greater customer choice by offering validated solutions that combine Pure Storage’s leading enterprise storage with Nutanix’s Cloud Platform. It aims to simplify infrastructure by streamlining the deployment and management of modern applications and data, and to enhance workload flexibility by providing robust and resilient data services for even the most demanding workloads. XMA’s deep expertise with both Pure Storage and Nutanix uniquely positions us to help HE institutions harness the full potential of this combined offering, ensuring seamless integration and optimised performance. 

Pure Storage will be the Cornerstone of Your Cyber Resilience Strategy 

It’s important to be clear: data storage is a critical component of a comprehensive cyber resilience strategy, working in concert with robust data protection software and security protocols. Pure Storage provides an exceptionally resilient and high-performance foundation upon which to build that strategy. Key elements supporting this include their Immutable Snapshots and SafeMode™ Protection, which create secure, unalterable copies of your data shielded from modification or deletion, even by compromised administrator accounts. This provides a “clean room” recovery point, vital for rapid restoration after an attack. In the event of an incident, where time is critical, Pure Storage technology is engineered for high-speed data recovery, even at petabyte scale, minimising downtime and disruption. Furthermore, data at rest is consistently protected through robust, always-on data encryption, without the performance penalties often associated with legacy systems. 

Keep your Storage Evergreen™ by Breaking Free from Traditional Storage Cycles 

One of the most significant differentiators Pure Storage offers, and a cornerstone of XMA’s value proposition, is the Evergreen™ Storage model. This is a game-changer for universities looking for long-term value and predictability. It allows institutions to eliminate disruptive and costly “forklift upgrades” that are typically required every few years. With Evergreen, you can modernise your storage hardware and software non-disruptively for a decade or more, as upgrades occur in place without the need for complex and time-consuming data migrations, ensuring continuous operations. This model also provides a clear, predictable cost structure and ensures you always have access to the latest Pure Storage innovations in performance, density, and features. Your investment is protected, and your storage stays modern, directly addressing the challenge of keeping technology current while managing budgets effectively and allowing IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than being bogged down by constant refresh cycles. 

Financial Flexibility with CAPEX and OPEX Models for HE Budgets 

We recognise that financial agility is paramount for universities. Pure Storage offers a variety of consumption models, including traditional CAPEX purchases and flexible OPEX-based Storage-as-a-Service (STaaS) options with Evergreen//One™ and Evergreen//Flex™. This means you can choose the financial model that best aligns with your institution’s budgetary requirements and strategic financial planning, ensuring access to leading-edge technology without prohibitive upfront costs. 

Take Control of Your Data’s Future 

It’s time to move beyond generic concerns and implement specific, powerful solutions. Consider how quickly and reliably your institution can recover from a significant cyber incident, whether current storage limitations are hindering research, innovation, or operational efficiency, and if your IT team is spending too much time managing storage rather than focusing on value-added services. XMA and Pure Storage provide the answers to these critical questions. 

Experience the Difference: Request Your Pure Storage Test Drive 

The best way to understand the transformative impact of Pure Storage is to see it in action. We strongly encourage you to request a personalised demo and test drive Pure Storage to experience its simplicity, performance, and resilience firsthand. 

For more information about Pure Storage, visit our partner page. There, you’ll find more detailed information in our guide, especially about Evergreen™.  

Visit our Nutanix partner page to discover how with one platform, you get infinite possibilities.  

To arrange your demo, or to discuss your specific requirements with our HE specialists, please contact your XMA account manager today. Alternatively, email us for more information. 

Effective planning, device deployment and management

Making the most of digital workspace transformation – Part 1

As working practices and norms continue to change and develop, and the debate about what works best rages on, the ability to adapt your business’ working methods quickly is growing in value. Of course, quick reactions shouldn’t come at the expense of business collaboration, or security. So, how do you clear this delicate obstacle?

The right technology and processes can make an enormous difference. Modern operating systems and software, such as Windows 10, continues to evolve and offer increased levels of flexibility for businesses and private users alike. The rise of the cloud further boosts this, with remote collaboration now near-seamless, as opposed to just a few years ago, when working from home could be challenging. This rate of development is showing no signs of slowing down.

As long-term partners of Microsoft, and experts in the use of technology like Windows 10, Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Azure, we’ve been trusted by many public and private organisations to help prepare them for the challenges presented by changing work habits. We achieve this through a distinct, four-step process we call the digital workspace quadrant.

Getting a sense of what you need to meet your unique needs should always start by taking a closer look at where your business currently stands. What technology do you currently use? How much do you pay for it? Are you using it to its full potential? Programs like Microsoft Teams can offer massive advantages to a business if used properly. We’ll take a close look to see what value can be extracted from existing tools, before looking at new ones.

From here, we’ll start to work with you to define and build your business case for change. To do this effectively, we’ll involve employees from across your business, in order to get a sense of their unique challenges, insights and ideas.

By combining this knowledge gained from your team with comprehensive audits on your technology, infrastructure and existing skillsets, we’ll pick out the ideal technological solutions for your challenges.

From here, our deployment and management expertise comes into play. We’ll make use of deployment tools like Windows Autopilot to ensure any new device delivery goes smoothly, without any setup time necessary.

We’ll also work to make device management significantly simpler. Windows Autopilot enables legacy app containerisation, which allows older Windows apps that are no longer supported to carry on running within the latest version of Windows 10. This means that, if you have an essential piece of bespoke software that’s out of date, you don’t need to immediately replace it, or jeopardise your wider security in the process.

Any technological or cultural change is a big step for a business to take, especially at a time when working culture is evolving so quickly. At XMA, we’ll work with you to make it as simple and painless as possible. From enabling new hybrid opportunities to making the most of existing tech and infrastructure, with our expert support and quality products from major vendors like Microsoft, digital workspace transformation can be that little bit easier.

To learn more about our digital workspace quadrant process, and how we can help you make the most of workplace transformation, keep an eye out for part two of this series, which focuses on keeping security high without restricting access.

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