Welcome to uWaterloo Connect IT! This blog and video series will provide IT service and event information and updates to the campus, while offering a collaborative environment for University community members to share their comments/feedback and help shape the future of IT at Waterloo.
As our familiarity and experience with the Jira Service Management (JSM) platforms grows, we continue to implement changes aimed at improving your overall experience, while also testing and configuring new features and functionality released by the vendor. Here's a look at some of the work we've been focused on since our last update.
Our transition to Jira Service Management (JSM) is going well. Thank you to those that have submitted feedback on their experience using JSM, or provided suggestions for improvements. Some recent changes that have been made to the platform based on this feedback include the following:
A path to greater local value
Over 45% of the University’s core information systems and departmental applications are now in the cloud, or more accurately Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). This means that instead of purchasing a copy of the software, installing it on University-owned server, in a University-owned data centre, we often purchase an annual subscription to an online, web-based service that is running on servers somewhere else. This shift to the cloud can be recognized in our personal use of computers and devices, too (e.g. storing of photos, watching movies online).
With most of us shopping, banking, sharing, and using social media online, it is important to stop and consider what personal information you are disclosing. Consider the following:
What is a VPN?
Anyone who uses an Internet-connected device away from home or the office should consider a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
A VPN allows a computing device to communicate securely, even while connected to a network not known to be trustworthy. It creates an encrypted communications channel between your device and a VPN server and configures your access to the Internet to go through that server. Connections you make will appear to come from that server, which may be in a different country.
Benefits of a VPN
The University of Waterloo community has seen many challenges over the last 6 months, both new and old. One of the older issues affecting us is returning in new and surprising ways.
Using the COVID-19 pandemic to gain access to your data
Phishing - the sending of deceptive email in order to steal passwords and credentials – has long been a part of life online. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, though, security professionals have seen a rise in the number of phishing attacks being made.
What is Office 365 ProPlus?
Akindi is the new central tool for UWaterloo and will replace the existing Scantron exam processing service. Where you once used Scantron for multiple choice assessments, you can now use Akindi! Learn more at: uwaterloo.ca/akindi
On July 29, Lynda.com was upgraded to LinkedIn Learning.
As of July 24 2019, users already using two-factor authentication (2FA) for their email accounts will also receive 2FA prompts when logging in to Quest and LEARN*. Protect your accounts with 2FA and learn more about it here: https://uwaterloo.ca/2fa.
*2FA will be disabled on LEARN until Oct and additional communications will be shared once enabled.
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