June 2007 Update

In This Update

• Work Moves Ahead on Microsoft Software Collaboration Applications Initiative
• Strategic Roadmap Effort Begins for Information Management/Administrative Systems
• Four Strategies Identified for Reducing Computer and Data Security Risks
• UW Seattle Wireless Initiative Finishing First Two of Three Years

Work Moves Ahead on Microsoft Software Collaboration Applications Initiative

Work is moving forward on an initiative to provide Microsoft collaborative tools to UW faculty and staff, including:

• Exchange server, with Outlook calendar and email
• SharePoint (a Web publishing and collaboration tool)
• Vista and Office 2007 (the latest Windows operating system and productivity tools such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

Plans call for a first phase of users to have access to the tools in September. A number of UW schools, colleges, and departments are collaborating with Computing & Communications (C&C) on the effort to plan, design, and deploy this integrated Microsoft Collaborative tools environment.

The implementation phase of this initiative was formally kicked off at a May 22 meeting of more than 50 UW partners. Key contributors to this effort include Scott Barker (iSchool), John Drew (Graduate School), Jim Loter (Engineering), Brian McFarlane (Nursing), Mike Stocke (UW Bothell), Mick Westrick (Business), the UW Computing Directors group, and the IT Resource Sharing Group.

For detailed information, including FAQs and how to get involved, please see the new initiative Web site at https://www.washington.edu/computing/msca/

Strategic Roadmap Effort Begins for Information Management/Administrative Systems

Work has begun on a UW Strategic Roadmap for Information Management/Administrative Systems (IM/AS). The roadmap will define a vision for the future of IM/AS and propose an action plan with short-term and long-term priorities. The Office of Information Management (OIM) is coordinating the development of the roadmap, in partnership with the UW IM/AS community.

A high-level scope, timeline, and approach for the roadmap has been developed and shared with the Information Management Advisory Committee (I-MAC) at its May meeting. I-MAC will serve as the steering committee for the roadmap effort.

Work on the roadmap will accelerate throughout the summer. Next steps are to devise an advisory structure for the roadmap to ensure continuous involvement of key stakeholders, finalize a detailed work plan, complete the discovery/assessment analysis, and start a current state analysis. Additionally, an initial organization design for OIM will be completed in July.

For more information on OIM activities, please visit the Office of Information Management Web site at http://www.washington.edu/provost/oim/ to read the latest OIM Update.

Four Strategies Identified for Reducing Computer and Data Security Risks

An institution-wide risk assessment of the UWs computer and data security earlier this year has resulted in the development of four broad strategies to address key risk areas. The strategies are:

• Meet compliance and "due care" requirements: Prioritize resources and work efforts with an emphasis on statutory and regulatory mandates and industry standards of "due care."
• Reduce risk: Eliminate all unnecessary personal data on the Web or in computer files.
• Transfer risk: Make sure contracts with vendors make the vendor accountable for good security measures.
• Avoid risk: Do not pursue projects that involve increasing your risk exposure.

The risk assessment was part of the UWs ongoing efforts to meet an array of information technology security compliance requirements and data protection challenges. The assessment effort was led by Kirk Bailey, UW Chief Information Security Officer. Bailey partnered with the Chief Security Officer for PEMCO Corporation to leverage additional expertise and resources to produce a more accurate and useful assessment. The resulting documentation was used as a foundation for the development of a formal (draft) UW Strategic Plan for Information Systems Security, reviewed by the University Technology Advisory Committee, that included the four risk reduction strategies. The new plan is still undergoing internal review.

UW Seattle Wireless Initiative Finishing First Two of Three Years

Wireless coverage at UW Seattle has grown immensely in the first two years of the UW wireless initiative, with about 60 percent of the campus now wireless, compared with just 13 percent before the initiative began. With the increase in wireless availability, the number of users has about doubled from two years ago.

Since September 2005 these wireless deployments have been made at UW Seattle:

• 3.89 million additional ASF (assignable square feet) covered (to total 4.9 million of the available 7.8 million ASF)
• 59 additional buildings now fully covered (plus numerous partial areas)
• 3 major outdoor areas covered: HUB lawn, Quad, Red Square
• 2749 access points installed
• 194 general assignment classrooms (total is now 267 of 327, or 82%; 9211 seats)
• 249 departmental classrooms (7751 seats)
• 13 departmental branch libraries

Recent completions include Health Sciences Center T-Wing (4E/5E/6E), Oceanography Building, and Padelford Hall. Planning is underway for wireless deployment during the final, third year of the initiative.

To see a map showing how wireless is growing and where at UW Seattle, please go to http://www.washington.edu/computing/wireless/wifi_map.html