Regularly auditing your Google Workspace environment is essential for maintaining a secure and efficient setup, especially as your institution grows and technology evolves. In this article we'll discuss how often you should conduct an audit with us and the key benefits of doing so. By staying proactive with audits, you ensure that your Admin Console is optimized for current educational standards, fully prepared for student testing, and aligned with best practices for managing device fleets. You'll also learn how these audits can help you stay ahead of Google's frequent updates and keep your environment secure and compliant.
Why Regular Audits Are Essential
One of the most common questions after completing a Google Workspace audit is, How often should we audit our environment? We recommend conducting an audit every other year. However, certain situations may require more frequent reviews, especially when new directors or Admin Console managers are appointed or when your school or institution transitions to Google Workspace from another platform.
If you've never audited your Google Workspace for Education environment, now is the perfect time to start. A thorough audit provides a baseline and roadmap, ensuring your setup aligns with the latest educational best practices. This process is invaluable for uncovering unknown risks and optimizing your environment for student success.
Adapting to Remote and Hybrid Learning
With the shift towards remote and hybrid learning, Google has implemented several updates to accommodate these instructional models. Regular audits help you keep pace with these changes, ensuring your Admin Console is configured to support diverse learning environments effectively.
Managing Chromebook Deployments
Schools across the US and Canada have seen a significant increase in Chromebook deployments, either through acquiring new devices or repurposing existing ones. For many, this is their first experience managing such large fleets, and even seasoned administrators can find the process challenging.
A Google Workspace audit is particularly beneficial in these situations, helping to distinguish between device settings and user/browser settings—a common area of confusion. By following audit recommendations, you can be confident that your Chromebooks are fully prepared for student and staff use.
Staying Current with Google Workspace Updates
Google Workspace administrators often juggle multiple responsibilities, from managing phone systems and content filters to maintaining a wide range of devices. Keeping up with Google's frequent updates can be daunting, but staying informed is key to maintaining a secure and efficient environment.
One of the best ways to stay updated is by joining a collaborative community. Our CDW Education Collaborative offers monthly live streams that package and present the latest Google updates. Additionally, our community of nearly 2,000 Google Workspace for Education administrators is an invaluable resource for real-time support and shared knowledge.
Additional Resources for Staying Informed
To ensure you're always up-to-date with Google's changes, consider these resources:
- Subscribe to the Google Workspace updates blog.
- Regularly review the Chrome Enterprise release notes.
- Add the Google Workspace release calendar to your schedule.
- Explore new settings in the Admin Console as they appear.
Conclusion: The Importance of Regular Audits
While this isn't an exhaustive list, it highlights the critical reasons to conduct regular Google Workspace audits, especially as you prepare your devices for student testing. Whether you're expanding your Chromebook fleet or simply looking to stay ahead of Google's updates, now is the perfect time to schedule an audit and ensure your environment is primed for success.
Visit our Google Audit web page for more information or to get started with an Audit.
| Document Version | Date | Description of Change |
| 1.0 | 5/28/2024 | Removed author block |
| 1.1 | 8/22/2024 | Rewrote, verified, A. Robles reviewing |