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September 2004 Update

In This Update


New Approval Process for UW Administrative Systems Projects

A new approval process for major UW administrative systems projects was adopted by the Information Technology Advisory Committee (I-TAC), in May. Under the new process, all major administrative systems projects must be reviewed and approved by I-TAC, which is also responsible for prioritizing projects and recommending funding and other resources.

The new process is aimed at:

  • Providing a forum for dialogue and priority setting at an institutional level. (Previously, more than 22 groups provided input on priorities, but there was no mechanism for setting overall priorities based on institutional needs.)
  • Increasing communication and raising awareness of administrative systems projects.
  • Improving planning and coordination of administrative systems projects across the UW.
  • Ensuring effective use of C&C resources.

The deadline for submitting project proposals to I-TAC for this year's annual review cycle is November 1, 2004. C&C will help units with the proposal submission process. I-TAC is one of three technology advisory committees formed by the UW President and advises on administrative and business technologies, processes, and systems.

For more information, see an I-TAC project approval process overview
Or contact Sara Gomez, Director, Administrative Information Services,
sarag@cac.washington.edu, 543-1135.
For more information on I-TAC, see the Technology Advisory Committee Web Site at: http://www.washington.edu/president/tacs/


"Security Solutions" Team to Strengthen Computing Security Efforts

C&C is forming a new "Security Solutions" team to bring greater focus to the challenge of securing university computer systems. The team is charged with:

  • Working with C&C system managers to ensure that university systems managed by C&C comply with university security policies.
  • Developing strategies and tools for improving the security of all UW computers. (Examples include development of "logical firewall" technology to help protect individual computers, methods for determining whether a computer is properly patched, and evaluation/deployment of intrusion detection and intrusion prevention systems.)

This team complements several other C&C groups with security responsibilities, including:

  • Security Operations: Responsible for security monitoring, incident detection, and recommending/coordinating remediation options
  • Security Middleware: Responsible for developing software to allow applications to use the UW's central authentication and authorization infrastructure for access control
  • Network Architecture and Network Engineering: Responsible for design and implementation of network systems and management tools necessary to support ever-growing network security requirements
  • Client Services and Customer Care: Responsible for assisting campus users and units with a variety of issues, including security awareness and training, desktop configuration and threat mitigation, perimeter defense services, etc.

The security solutions team currently is headed by Terry Gray, Associate Vice President, IT Infrastructure. A nationwide search for a director is underway. Staffing for the team is initially being recruited from other areas within C&C.

For more information, contact Terry Gray, gray@cac.washington.edu, 685-4729.


C&C Launches Strategic Planning Effort

C&C has launched a strategic planning effort to make our organization more effective and responsive, enhance communications with our constituents, and plan for the future. We will gather input from the UW community about C&C's role in supporting the university's mission. We have engaged a consultant, will invite our constituents to participate in this process, and will keep you updated on our progress.

For more information, contact Pam Stewart, Executive Director
Planning & Facilities Infrastructure, and Chair of the C&C Strategic Planning Committee, pks@cac.washington.edu, 685-7955.


Getting Ready for Autumn Quarter

The following services are being offered this fall to help everyone, but especially students, start the new quarter with a secure computer:

  • News Web page: C&C's new "Autumn Quarter Computing News" Web page covers what students, newcomers, and even long-time Huskies need to know about using a computer at the UW, with links to managing their computer, spam filtering, spyware, the computing services page, and UWICK. It will be updated at the start of each quarter. See http://www.washington.edu/computing/qstart.html


  • UWICK, Windows Updates/Service Packs: Although Microsoft will no longer allow the UW to include Microsoft Windows updates and service packs in the UW Internet Connectivity Kit (UWICK), students, faculty, and staff can pick up a free Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 on CD-ROM at two locations:
    The Autumn UWICK has UW-configured versions of Internet Explorer and Outlook Express as well as virus protection and file transfer software. The UWICK CD-ROM is available for $1 at the University Book Store and is also available for download on the Web. See http://www.washington.edu/computing/software/uwick/
  • Computer Vet: A free, help-desk service is again being offered to UW students to assist with computing problems including operating system updates, anti-virus installation and updates, and infected computers blocked from UW network access. This help is available from Educational Partnerships and Learning Technologies in the Odegaard Undergraduate Library Computing Commons and Mary Gates Hall Computing Resource Center. For lab hours, see http://depts.washington.edu/sacg/facilities/labs/hours.shtml

Save the Date: BizTech 2005 on March 17

After a successful launch last spring, BizTech, the technology fair specifically designed for faculty and staff, will return on March 17, 2005. Planning kicks off this month. The fair features presentations and booths on how technology at the UW can enhance and support effectiveness on the job. More information, and a slideshow of last year's event, can be viewed at:
http://www.washington.edu/admin/biztech/

For BizTech 2005 information, contact Clarice Hall, BizTech Coordinator, ckhall@u.washington.edu, 616-1328.