IT Update

1

• IT Update
• Faculty Senate
• September 1, 2004

Information Technology
University of Houston
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IT Organization

• Report to Academic Affairs
• Four major units
• Computing and Telecommunication Services
• Technology Support Services
• Enterprise Systems
• Security and Disaster Recovery
• Support model being used
• Distributed support staff
• Some central support
• College and Library collaboration

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IT Services

• Phones, Data, Video, Servers
• WebCT, Help Desk, Software Licenses, Desktop,
  Classroom media support, training
• Legacy Student System, PeopleSoft
  operation/upgrades, University Advancement
• Security, Viruses, Disaster Recovery Plan,
  Intrusion Detection

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Spam - History

• Continue flag and address at desktop
• Implemented August 2003
• Based on content, flags as possible spam
• Spam handled at desktop
• 50 use of rules to handle spam
• Remainder individual action
• Eliminate more obvious spam
• Started blocking known spammers - June
• Enhanced logic to detect spam - June
• Stopped dictionary attacks - July
• Efforts have decreased spam 80

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Spam - Future

• Will continue to impact us
• Hacked systems can send spam
• Block messages with viruses under review
• Implement enhanced spam detection software
• Evaluated software solutions
• Recommended Sophos PureMessage
• CRG agreed recommendation and gave guidance
• User education
• Course on reducing e-junk mail

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Viruses - Current

• Environment different since last year
• Dealt with viruses last year - positioned us
  better this year
• Fewer Spam messages carrying viruses
• Increased awareness regarding desktop support
• More auto-updates of Windows and anti-virus
  software
• Switches and sub-netting installed in buildings
• More aggressive threat response approach
• Increased intrusion detection
• Education Program
• Windows updates applied quickly
• Antiviral (McAfee) updates applied quickly
• Send notification at medium threat

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Viruses Future

• Monitor systems entering the network
• Allow on network if have current updates
• Windows
• McAfee antiviral software
• Push antiviral and Windows updates to desktop
• ePO
• SMS
• Windows XP SP2 Status
• Test for compatibility
• Let the bugs get worked out
• Recommend within a few months

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Voice mail

• Changes made on August 16th
• Eliminate old system as option
• Remove confirm delete (9 button)
• Scheduled with advice from Faculty Senate
• New change review process
• ITCC Change Review Group
• Communication of new options to customers
• Updated and distributed FAQ Usage Tips
• Voicemail web site
• Short courses on request
• Unified messaging in Spring

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E-mail account size

• Current size limits
• mail.uh.edu (POP mail) is 20 MB
• Exchange.uh.edu is 40 MB
• How we handle overages
• Customer may request greater capacity (3-1411)
• Limit is set at 100 MB for performance reasons
• Plans to deal with the space limits
• Considering increasing limit to 100MB
• What approach would you like to see?

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Enhanced Communications

• Quicker rather than perfect communications
• Meet with groups including
• ITCC / Faculty Senate
• Student Government
• Staff Council
• Deans
• Distributed IT staff
• Change Review Group
• College/Division administrators
• Over-communicate

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Network upgrades

• Cost of upgrades is significant
• Sharing of upgrade costs is the model
• Network at minimum acceptable level in FY 05
• Switched network
• Improves security
• Improves performance

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Other important items

• On-line ordering of telephone and data services
• Spyware (Pop-ups and Banner ads)
• Allows remote user take over your computer
• Updating McAfee to include Spyware protection
• WebCT
• Moving to the enterprise version
• Complete transition of 800 courses by August 05
• Wireless coverage for the campus is a goal
• Un-metered long distance is a goal

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Important information

• Handouts
• Contact information
• Spam
• Virus
• Information available at www.uh.edu/infotech
• If we are not meeting your needs or expectations,
  please contact me
• 3-1602
• shomper_at_uh.edu

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Comments and Questions
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FY05 Sources of IT Funding

• State General Revenue 10,775,209 32
• Technology Fee 8,054,547 24
• Service Centers 6,979,000 21
• Designated Tuition 3,176,000 9
• HEAF 2,750,000 8
• Gifts and Endow Income 622,290 2
• Designated Other 765,111 2
• Research 600,000 2
• Total 33,722,157 100
• includes prior year encumbrances and fund
  balances 

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FY05 IT FTE

• Computing Telecom Services 97.58
• Enterprise Systems 47.50
• Security and Disaster Recovery 6.00
• Technology Support Services 151.55
• Office of the CIO 9.00
• Total 311.89