Friday, August 18, 2023


WatCard system will be unavailable on August 21

A mock-up of a student WatCard.

Information Systems and Technology (IST) reports that the WatCard system will undergo maintenance on Monday, August 21, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. This will cause an interruption to WatCard systems and services for both staff and students.

Services that will be impacted include: 

  • Self-serve account features (Balance and transaction history);
  • Payments using WatCard (WPrint, WStore, parking, vending machines);
  • WatCard ID production;
  • Deposits to WatCard accounts (online and in person); and
  • Third-party API integrations.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact watcard@uwaterloo.ca.

Q and A with the experts: The importance of quantum-safe cyber security today and for the future

"Quantum Computing" is emblazoned on an illustration of a microchip.

Dr. Michele Mosca.Cyber security risks are more prominent today than ever. The advancement of quantum computers that could intercept today’s encrypted data prompts governments and citizens to understand, evaluate, and consider new ways to protect important information. Dr. Michele Mosca of the University of Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing, an expert in quantum-safe cryptography, outlines best practices for using quantum-safe technologies to safeguard our most important data. 

What is the cyber security threat created by new and developing quantum computing technologies?  

 Most of our digital infrastructures rely on public-key cryptography to protect the security of our information. This includes protecting the confidentiality of transmitted data. It also includes trusting the integrity and origin of information. For example, we know software updates are legitimate and not malware. This also includes maintaining the availability of IT systems and increasingly the availability and control of operational technologies. 

A large fault-tolerant quantum computer can break today’s public-key cryptography and compromise this security in a very profound and systemic way. 

What best practices should  governments and national leaders develop when considering responses to these types of cyber threats?  

Leaders should commit to transitioning government digital systems to be quantum-safe by some appropriate target dates that will depend on the criticality of the specific systems. They should ensure that the sectors they regulate do the same and provide advice and guidance to all sectors. 

 Leaders should also incentivize proactive planning and testing, drive aggressive pilots, and encourage the use of domestic and other trusted providers as they develop transition plans to ensure access to trustworthy solutions and know-how to deploy them reliably when needed. They should support targeted funding to fill the research and training gaps toward achieving these goals. 

What are some proactive steps citizens should develop to help safeguard their data as quantum technologies advance?  

 Firstly, following standard best practices including staying up-to-date with software upgrades, not downloading software from untrusted sources, using multi-factor authentication, and using VPNs whenever possible. 

They can also ask software providers if the current version of the software is quantum-safe, and if not, when a quantum-safe version will be offered.  

On any e-government platform, when they have a chance, citizens can ask why their private information is not currently being protected with quantum-safe cryptography since these transmissions (census data, SIN, health data, etc.) can now be recorded and decrypted later when quantum computers are available. If enough customers ask, it will create more urgency. 

They can also ask their Members of Parliament and Members of the Provincial Parliament if the government is committing to best practices.

Dr. Michele Mosca is co-founder of the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo, a Professor in the Department of Combinatorics & Optimization of the Faculty of Mathematics, and a founding member of Waterloo's Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. He was the founding Director of CryptoWorks21, a training program in quantum-safe cryptography. 

Campus flags lowered today

Flags on the University of Waterloo campus will be lowered to half-mast today in recognition of the funeral of the Honourable Hugh Segal, who died on August 9.

The University's flag-lowering guidelines state that "to mark the death of a national or provincial figure, or to join in national mourning, the University will lower its flags if the Government of Canada orders flags lowered on federal buildings throughout Canada or throughout Ontario." Segal was a former senator and served as chief of staff to Ontario Premier Bill Davis and Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.

Link of the day

Next slide please

When and Where 

Warriors Game Day Tickets: Season Passes, Black and Gold Alumni Passes and Single Game Tickets now available for the 2023-24 varsity season. Purchase your tickets today!

Waterloo Warriors Youth Camps. Spring and Summer camps available for Boys and Girls ages 5-18. Baseball, Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Hockey and Multi-Sport and Games. Register today.

Student Health Pharmacy in the basement of the Student Life Centre is now offering Covid booster shots (Pfizer and Moderna) and flu shots. Call 519-746-4500 or extension 33784 for an appointment. Walk-ins always welcome.

Final examination period, Friday, August 4 to Saturday, August 19.

Ontario Mennonite Music Camp, Sunday, August 13 to Friday, August 25, Conrad Grebel University College.

Technology Governance Summer School, Monday, August 14 to Friday, August 18, Balsillie School of International Affairs.

Centre for Teaching Excellence New Faculty Teaching Days, Tuesday, August 15 to Friday, August 18. Registration is required

Land Skills for Wellness and Sustainability Project: Weaving Together with the Land Nature Walk, Saturday, August 19, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon.

Quest will be down for scheduled maintenance, Sunday, August 20, 6:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

You+Waterloo Optometry Speaker Series featuring Dr. C. Lisa Prokopich, “Dry Eye Management,” Thursday, August 24, 6:30 p.m., Borealis Grill and Restaurant. RSVP by Friday, August 18.

Celebrating 50 years - Renison Residence Reunion, Friday, August 25 to Sunday, August 27.

Co-operative work term ends, Friday, August 25.

Waterloo Pharmacy Annual Alumni and Friends Golf Invitational + Dinner, Monday, August 28, Grey Silo Golf Course.

International Student Orientation, Thursday, August 31.

Fall first-year Residence Move-In, Thursday, August 31 to Sunday, September 3.

Land Skills for Wellness and Sustainability Project: Connecting to the Land, Thursday, August 31, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Fall Orientation, Saturday, September 2 to Saturday, September 9.

Labour Day, Monday, September 4, most university operations and buildings closed.

Co-operative work term begins, Tuesday, September 5.

Management Sciences seminar featuring Margot Racat, IDRAC Business School, “Haptics and Need for Touch in Retail Environments: Bringing Back Tangibility to Consumers?” Tuesday, September 5, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, CPH 4335.

Lectures and classes begin, Wednesday, September 6.

Music Ensemble Auditions start on Wednesday, September 6. 

When and Where to get support 

Check out the support listings for faculty, staff and students.