Snow has hit the region pretty hard this winter, and skiers are enjoying a good snow year for a change. However, the snow has not stopped ITS from continuing to enhance our IT systems and networks in support of students, faculty, and staff. Extending wireless and upgrading network connections throughout the campus is a top priority as we enter into the second phase of our network and wireless upgrade project. In this phase, ITS is wiring many academic areas which had little or no wireless service. A half dozen buildings in the northwest corner of the campus now have our latest wireless solution, and we are getting ready to do more academic buildings this spring. Many of our major software systems have undergone upgrades to their underlying hardware and software components, making them more current and secure. Information security continues to be an area where we all need to be alert and vigilant. A total of 56 universities reported major security breaches in 2007 as hackers and identity thieves target our open campus network environments. Luckily our campus has not had a serious security breach, and we need to continue to do all we can to prevent one from happening. In this version of ITS Info, you will find several good articles about information security, as well as other new and informative topics, which are sure to provide you with timely information about improved ITS services and ongoing projects.

Photograph of Chief of Information Technology Fred Estrella

This issue of ITS Info contains articles where you can:

Learn how to prevent your laptop from being stolen or lost.
Find out why old Blackboard Vista courses are being removed.
Read an update on Administrative Computing systems.
Find out the latest information on our network and wireless upgrade project.
Pose the question: Is wireless secure? Find out how you can be more secure when using Wi-Fi.
Read about how hard-to-get software is available through a new virtual lab.
Learn about new efforts to find the right software which will integrate email, voice mail, and create a collaborative environment for group work.
Find out why a new ITS Systems Status page was placed on the MyNAU portal.

Looking Ahead

Later this spring, several major and very important infrastructure upgrades to ITS facilities will take place. The expansion of the north campus chilled-water plant will bring much needed extra cooling capacity to the ITS building. Electrical capacity into the ITS computer room will be increased as well as the installation of a backup generator to ensure ITS systems and network equipment keep running even during major electrical outages. All these infrastructure improvements will aid in expanding ITS services to more university users and to make our facility and systems more sustainable during emergencies. Also during this spring, ITS will be evaluating products that will give staff and faculty an improved email system that will closely integrate with a new voicemail system and online collaboration environment. The aim of the project is to provide effective and reliable tools for everyone to be more productive and more collaborative.

ITS Info is a publication of the Information Technology Services (ITS) department of NAU. Editor: Don Olson. Entire contents copyright © 2007 Northern Arizona University. Some images © 2007 www.clipart.com. Send comments or suggestions to Ask-ITS@nau.edu.

To contact ITS:

Faculty: 928-523-1511
Students: 928-523-9294
Statewide: 888-520-7215

	Web Page Contact: ITS-Editor@nau.edu
	© 2007 Northern Arizona University - Information Technology Services