Overview
Locking your computer screen when you step away from your desk, even for a short time, is a simple but critical security practice. An unlocked computer provides immediate access to your email, files, systems, and potentially sensitive institutional data. Screen locking helps protect both you and the College from unauthorized access, data breaches, and accidental misuse.
This applies to all college-owned computers and personal devices used for work purposes, whether in an office, classroom, lab, or shared workspace.
**Please note that locking the workstation secures the current user session without signing out.** This means that once you sign back in, your workstation will pickup where you left off.
When to Lock your Workstation
Always lock your computer screen when:
- Leaving your desk or workstation
- Moving to another room
- Speaking with someone away from your computer
- Working in shared or public spaces
Even short absences can create security risks.
How to lock a Windows Workstation
How to lock a MacOS Workstation
- Keyboard shortcut (Default):
- "CONTROL" + "COMMAND" + "Q"
- Apple menu method:
- Apple Menu → "Lock Screen"
Notice for VDI Users
- VDI sessions themselves are not “locked” directly.
- Users must lock the physical host device (Windows or macOS) they are using to access the VDI.
- Locking the host device prevents unauthorized access to the active VDI session.
- You can use any of the methods mentioned above to lock your device
Default Lock Policy by Workstation Type
- Corporate Windows devices:
Lock automatically after a defined idle timeout (per Group Policy).
- Corporate macOS devices:
Lock automatically based on device management configuration (MDM profiles).
- VDI users:
Security relies on locking the endpoint device; session timeout behavior may vary by VDI platform and configuration.
Official Vendor References
Microsoft Sign out/Lock reference:
Apple (MacOS) Lock Screen reference:
Microsoft Lock Screen policy