Vic Police calls time on dated devices deemed 'critical risks'

Victoria Police is planning to replace all end user hardware that is older than four years by the end of 2024.

The force has handed $9.06 million to Dell and Acer to refresh its dated computing devices under a Digital Services and Security Department (DDSD) program to reduce critical risk.

As part of the deal, Victoria Police will replace more than 4500 HP 4545 laptops, according to a contract notice.

The department is also planning to upgrade the memory for 1300 Dell 7490/7060 personal computer devices, and 2500 monitors and 900 docks in an effort to “replace or refresh aged assets”.

The new fleet rollout is expected to be completed by October 2024.

When first contacted by iTnews, Victoria Police declined to provide further details about the refresh. It later issued the following statement: "Victoria Police regularly refreshes its computer hardware to ensure it can support day to day applications and work functions and has the latest security capabilities."

Victoria Police made a major purchase of HP devices back in 2013 when it spent $28.2 million on a hardware refreshment of 12,000 desktops and notebooks until 2015.

Over the years, the department has also enlisted both Dell and Acer for multiple end user hardware contracts, adding $8.6 million worth of Dell mobility devices in 2020 and $231,000 in laptops between 2021 and 2024.