Jun 18, 2025

ISS is happy to offer Remote Desktop Services (also known as End User Compute or virtual desktop) to our faculty and staff. Our Remote Desktop provider recently rebranded the service from VMWare Horizon to Omnissa Horizon. As we upgrade the various components of the environment, you will see the green VMWare Horizon icon replaced by a blue Omnissa Horizon Client icon among other branding updates. The cost and service will remain unchanged.

Apr 24, 2025

Starting July 1, 2025, ISS is introducing a new flat rate of $48 for AV technical assistance and setup services for classroom and event support. This change models more closely the support that is requested by our university community for these events and services and allows for our teams to schedule in a more efficient manner allowing us to serve our customers at a higher level meeting the unique requirements of each event.

Apr 24, 2025

As part of ongoing efforts to proactively address outdated technologies and improve security, the campus’ e-directory website was sunsetted on April 10. This change protects users, their privacy and information, and data. In place of the e-directory, campus community members can use the People Search function within Microsoft 365, which offers a better user experience, more reliable data, and more appropriately meets IT security and compliance standards. It is immediately available for use by university students, faculty, staff, and researchers.

Apr 24, 2025

Accessible image practices enhance the user experience for everyone, including people with blindness, low vision, other vision impairments, and cognitive disabilities. Using alt text and avoiding images of text enables assistive technology users (such as screen readers and magnifier users) to access the information conveyed through an image. 

Apr 24, 2025

As announced in February, the campus is transitioning from the current phone system (Cisco) to Microsoft Teams Calling. The cloud-based Microsoft Teams Calling will streamline communication for you, allowing you to make and receive calls directly within the Teams app from your computer, a mobile device, or a physical phone handset. This means you can stay connected and take important calls whether you're at your desk, hybrid or on the go. OIT is excited to implement this change to meet the new business goals and needs of our evolving campus. Microsoft Teams Calling offers multiple communication modalities while passing on lower operating costs to the end user. Our team will be working with each department to discover your unique needs prior to any migration. This phased approach allows OIT to work directly with each group and learn about each department and unit’s needs to ensure you are getting the best service. 

Apr 24, 2025

As cyber threats continue to evolve, it's crucial to stay informed and vigilant against phishing attacks, especially those targeting multi-factor authentication (MFA) systems like Duo. Phishing is a psychological attack used by cyber criminals to trick you into giving up sensitive information or obtaining access to your account. These attacks often masquerade as legitimate communications from trusted sources, making them particularly dangerous.

Apr 24, 2025

Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Chat and Zoom AI are approved for use with highly confidential university data.  While Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Chat and Zoom AI are approved for this use, it is equally important that users and meeting participants use additional safe privacy and security best practices when utilizing these applications. Any information that is shared with others during the technology session—as well as through transcripts, notes, or other documentation—must be protected. 

Apr 24, 2025

As the university approaches the end of the fiscal year, it is time to get your ducks in a row to make for a smooth Technology Risk Assessment process for any applications or hardware devices you need to purchase for your business operations. These dates are so that you can plan accordingly and submit your Technology Risk Assessments to allow for processing from the Risk and Compliance team, as well as Procurement Services, so there is no loss of service.

Feb 18, 2025

AI options are constantly evolving with new options coming on the scene. While it may be exciting to try them all, it is important to keep IT security and compliance at the forefront of your mind before entering any data into an OpenAI or AI application.

Feb 18, 2025

The university has compiled a comprehensive list of applications and tools integral to our teaching and research endeavors. These applications and tools have been thoroughly reviewed for security vulnerabilities and classified based on the sensitivity level of the data they handle. To ensure the security and privacy of university data, it is crucial to use only approved applications and tools or submit a Technology Risk Assessment request for tools you or your department want to use to ensure the tool is reviewed and meets university security standards.

Feb 18, 2025

Ensuring that appropriate IT security and compliance measures are taken for everything you and your department use to conduct business. Some important questions to ask are whether all your passwords are unique and 16-characters long, or have you taken the necessary training to be up to date on regulations and IT security best practices.