The basics of identity management
by R. Gould, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Nov. 21, 2006
Institutions of higher education are under increasing pressure to protect the identity and privacy of users.
According to an EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research source, identity management is "the set of business processes, and a supporting infrastructure,
for the creation, maintenance, and use of digital identities" (Yanosky and Salaway, 2006). In simple terms, identity management
includes the processes used for identifying a user (assurance that a user is that individual) and the access to resources
associated with that user.
In the May/June 2006 EDUCAUSE Review, Dewey and DeBlois indicated that security and identity management surpassed
funding as the top IT issue facing higher education. Determining user IDs and removing Social Security numbers from business
processes, computing systems, and forms are only small pieces of the complex identity management puzzle.
K-State has embarked on the latter as part of the Personal Identifier Initiative .
At K-State, identity
management discussions are held almost daily, especially as we rethink business processes, determine how K-Staters will access
online resources, and research innovative identity management technologies. More articles on identity management will be
forthcoming in InfoTech Tuesday.
Provost lecture Nov. 30 on IT, library connections
by B. Edwards, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Nov. 21, 2006
"Chaos Breeds Life: Imperatives Defining the Future Relevance and
Impact of the Academic Research Library" is the third event scheduled in the
Provost Lecture Series.
James Neal, vice president for information services and university librarian at Columbia University, will give the presentation
10:30 a.m.-noon, Thursday, Nov. 30, in the Hemisphere Room of Hale Library.
At Columbia, Neal provides leadership for university academic computing and oversees a system of 25 libraries.
His IT focus includes the development of the digital library, special collections, global resources,
and instructional technology.
According to the lecture abstract, Neal "will highlight current and future trends defining
both the malaise and the vitality of the academic research library. A series of imperatives will be outlined on the
urgent and strategic roles and responsibilities for the library as it advances from legacy to infrastructure to portal
to commons to enterprise."
University computing labs to close for Thanksgiving break
by E. Dover, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Nov. 21, 2006
The university computing labs will be closed for the Thanksgiving break. All labs will be locked by 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 22, and will re-open by 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26. This closure will affect the following locations:
- Dickens 1
- Justin 325
- Nichols 21
- Seaton 22-23
Should you need to access computing resources, the 24-hour study area in Hale Library will remain open
throughout the break. Hale Library will be open Saturday. Nov. 25, and Sunday, Nov. 26.
Tech classrooms closed during Thanksgiving break for security
by T. Bagby, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Nov. 21, 2006
Some technology classrooms and general-use classrooms that
contain technology equipment will be reserved during the upcoming
holiday-break period for necessary maintenance. Recently, more than $26,000
of computing equipment has been stolen from university computing
facilities and classrooms, resulting in a disruption of classes and loss
of faculty and student projects.
Affected technology classrooms are
Ackert 120 and 221; Bluemont 122; Cardwell 101; Dickens 106 and 207; Derby Food Center 134;
Kramer Food Center 120; Leasure 13; Seaton 252; Throckmorton 1014; and Waters 348.
These rooms will be locked down from 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21 to 7:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 27.
Note that individual group or class meetings scheduled previously in these
facilities will still meet in the rooms during the times that have been reserved.
Contact the Information Technology Assistance Center, 785-532-4918, if you
have questions or concerns about this closure.
Media Development Center extended hours Nov. 27-Dec. 7
by B. Edwards, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Nov. 21, 2006
Next week, the Media Development Center (in Hale 313) will begin extended office hours
through Dec. 7 to allow more time for students to work on class projects. Starting Monday, Nov. 27,
the center will be open two more hours daily Monday-Thursday (8 a.m.-midnight) and three hours more on Friday
(8 a.m.-8 p.m.). The MDC will revert to normal hours
on Friday, Dec. 8, the last day of classes in the fall semester.
Reminder: IT award nominations due Dec. 1
by B. Edwards, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Nov. 21, 2006
Six nominations have been received thus far for the 2007 IT Awards and Recognition nomination process.
Through Dec. 1, any K-State staff (including faculty and students) can nominate central IT employees for
their contributions to the university. Staff eligible for nominations are in
CTS,
DCE,
DIA,
ECC,
ISO,
iTAC,
KSRE, and
OME.
The nomination form is on the IT Awards and Recognition website.
Click on the word "Nominations" at the top of the page. A nomination can represent an activity, service, or
special contribution. Questions should be sent to ITAWARDS-L@k-state.edu.
Three Oracle database job openings in ISO
by J. Streeter, Information Systems Office
published Nov. 21, 2006
The Information Systems Office is seeking applicants who are looking for a challenging opportunity
in database administration. Three positions are available. Each requires a bachelor’s degree and appropriate experience.
The two DBA positions require three years of technical experience, including one year of hands-on SQL programming on Unix servers.
The systems coordinator position requires a minimum of five years of DBA experience. Please indicate your interest in either
or both position types. Review of applications will begin Jan. 02,2007, and continue until all three positions are filled.
Call 785-532-4758, e-mail iso@k-state.edu,
or go to www.k-state.edu/iso/employment for details and links to position descriptions.
Security tip: Back up your data to be secure
by H. Townsend. interim IT security officer
published Nov. 21, 2006
Hard drive failure. Stolen laptop. Lost USB thumb drive. Compromised computer. Files quarantined by antivirus software.
Accidentally hitting the Delete key. CyberGremlins.... Are you ready for these? No system is completely immune to malicious
attacks, hardware and software failures, and human error that could unexpectedly and suddenly destroy files.
The best strategy for protection is to store your files on a server that is regularly backed up by IT support staff,
and not keep copies on your personal computer. If you have important files on your desktop or laptop computer and
don't have access to a supported server, you should
- Copy files regularly onto removable media such as a CD, DVD, or an external USB hard drive.
- Store the media securely in a different location.
Do NOT back up sensitive files onto a USB flash drive (a.k.a., USB thumb drive).
Those are too easy to lose and are a target for theft.
The unfortunate reality is that few people regularly back up the files on their desktop or laptop computer,
or are diligent about storing everything on a supported server. Contact your IT support staff or the IT Help Desk
today to learn the best way to ensure your data is protected... and do not forget your home computer(s) as well.
IT by the numbers: Printing in the labs, InfoCommons
by B. Eltze and B. Edwards, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Nov. 21, 2006
The chart below shows how much printing is occurring in K-State's university computing labs, including
the 24-hour study area and the K-State InfoCommons in Hale Library. These numbers were compiled for the
first full weeks in November (Nov. 5-18).
| University lab locations |
Pages printed week of Nov. 5, 2006 |
Pages printed week of Nov. 12, 2006 |
| Dickens computer lab | 1,375 | 1,637 |
| Justin computer lab | 1,996 | 2,257 |
| Nichols computer lab | 604 | 369 |
| Seaton computer lab | 1,923 | 1,704 |
| Union computer lab | 3,566 | 3,752 |
| Hale 24-hour study area | 3,002 | 3,748 |
| K-State InfoCommons | 28,048 | 36,991 |
|
