September 9, 2020 – Infrastructure Committee Update

UIC Disaster Recovery Planning Project began in May 2020.  Currently in a green state and running on schedule, the intent is to complete the main component of the project by December 2020.  The disaster assessment phase is complete and we are currently in the program design phase which is estimated to be 70% completed.  This DR Plan covers Technology Solutions controlled applications – 85  have been identified.  Workshops will be made available to the Infrastructure Committee to provide intelligence on this initiative in early October.  Program testing phase will include fail-over testing in 2021.

Commercial VPN Project is complete.  Sun-setting Centrix will start again by November 2020.  Unity Voice Mail project has been placed on hold due to the remote work environment.  Four buildings remain for the UIC connectivity upgrade to 10GB – two are slated for completion this year, leaving the final two to be upgraded in 2021.  Projects currently awaiting progress are the Data Center Strategy, and Star-Tel System Upgrade.

Server Back-Ups:  The ADSM is outdated and has to be shut down.  POCs were performed with Dell IDPA, Commvault; we are in the process of looking at Veaam, currently being run by UIH and UIUC.  The modernized service will allow for RBAC, and authorization to be controlled by AD (removing the separate passwords from ADSM/TSM).

Network Upgrade for ERF:  Project is moving into “closed” phase ahead of schedule, and on budget – September/October completion.

Team Dynamix (TDX):  Project is on-going; process has slowed down due to the remote work environment.

Call Center:  Project is expanding; expected to be completed by April of 2021.

Workstations Controls:  Project is wrapping up – work was enacted due to the previous year’s audit; improvements will continue throughout the year.

Windows Virtual Desktop:  Available to both Faculty and Staff.

Storage Refresh:  No significant updates at this time.

E-Mail Forwarding for Life:  41% completion.

Commercial Box Migration:  Brings people that were using the commercialized product.

Red II Website:  Project is on-going; completion date is set for January 2021.

Cloud Governance:  All technical aspects of service are in place; awaiting final governance process decisions; service is expected to be launched without HIPAA, initially.

West Campus FDF Re-Key:  Project is wrapping up and expected to be fully completed by the end of September.

Circuit ID:  Engaged AT&T in monthly meetings to provide a holistic inventory.  The major circuit items have been rectified while phone lines and T1 circuits are being identified one by one on a monthly basis.

Campus Emergency Notification System:  The project is essentially complete and nearing close.

Anti-Phishing/Malware Project – Mimecast:  Identifying next steps; the POC may simply include converting the e-mail over; completion is expected by December of 2020.

Jason Maslanka, UIC CTO – Technology Solutions, provided a synopsis of the TS organizational structure, prioritization and leadership, followed by Q/A.  The five units reporting to the Chief Technology Officer are Security and Privacy, Infrastructure and Networks, Applications and Service Engineering, Software Development and Delivery, and Client Experience.

In response to an inquiry involving staff funding, Jason explained to the committee that there are a massive number of unfilled positions in TS.  Although no change to the baseline funding, some positions required have shifted due to efficiencies in products modified and their uses made more efficient.  In terms of under-funding concerns, Jason further shared that the goal is to become more transparent in UIC’s technology spending model for funds unencumbered, and prioritization of open projects.  At some point, ITLC will have some responsibility in prioritizing projects.

Jason addressed the committee on contingency planning involving the strike.  The IT posture is to acknowledge that IT is very decentralized and would be equally affected by a strike.  IT will continue to offer our full suite of services albeit at a slower rate as there is no way at this time to augment or add to our existing staff to supplement any loss of service should a strike occur.

Senior leaders representing major universities which make a number of decisions, the ITLT Shared Services Committee requires modification for enhancement, attracting additional IT stakeholders to address products such as Box, Oracle, and Microsoft Services.  Director of Client Experience, Anthony Marino will serve as our inaugural member.

Another plan is to step up our work in finding solutions to address security gaps, measures and compromised accounts.  We have seen an uptick in some of these attacks against faculty, staff and students.  The number one issue right now is most likely Phishing attacks; attacks against COVID-19 programs are most concerning.  User and awareness training is in the works and will be rolled out to the University in October 2020.

Symantec is on the table for decommission due to a massive cost increase for the same services without additional amenities.  Windows Defender is looking at enhancements and could be deployed relatively quickly should the need arise.  Mac OS currently has no solution but some like Bit Defender which is being looked into as an option.

Last year, we saw a significant price increase by Box – currently contracted near our previous spend until 2022.  Concerns about Box’s pricing models have persisted, and we are identifying if Box can remain a long-term partner for UIC.  Data caps will be put in place for auditing and alternative products to Box will be considered.

We recently signed a 3-year renewal contract with Microsoft.  A new position may be added for reviewing UIC’s SLAs with our contractors to identify software spending, use and optimization opportunities.  Our intent is to have a better understanding of software contracts across the university as well as identify the most efficient and economic approach to licensing.

UIC’s central IT group is seeking to renew Pluralsight’s contract for IT training, and potentially expand training offerings.

LAN Sweeper will not be offered this year by Technology Solutions; could possibly be made available for everyone, but at a more reasonable cost.

We are close to bringing Microsoft Intune – MS Endpoint Manager to the University.  The point of this product is to increase efficiency for equipment distribution.  Assistant Director, EAD, Dean Dang – Technology Solutions is seeking testers.  Email encryption is available to everyone; use is highly suggested.

Nominations for the UIC Robert Sandusky IT Community Leadership (RSCL) Award are now being accepted.  It is encouraged for this community to nominate individuals that may fit the criteria.  The deadline has been extended for nominations.  Complete information about the award can be found here: https://accc.uic.edu/news-stories/announcing-the-robert-sandusky-it-community-leadership-rscl-award/

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