IT Services COVID19 Response Updates

4/9/2020

Additional Zoom Security Guidance and Resources 

As Zoom use increases and "Zoom bombing" and other security issues emerge, the UA coordination team continues to work to provide resources, further secure the tool, and to provide additional training materials. 

For more information on using and securing Zoom, access these resources:

4/3/2020 Updates

Connect to Computer Labs Remotely

IT Services has developed a page that makes it easy for students to connect to our on-campus computer labs from any remote location. It also makes it easy to know which machines are available to connect to by monitoring active connections and not making in use machines available to connect to. Please note that some labs are only accessible to students enrolled in courses in Colleges that manage their own labs. We are working on an enhancement that will make this more obvious.

To access, please use the following link: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/about/administrative-services/departments/information-technology-services/lab-rdp.cshtml

Additional VPN Changes

On 3/24, we added a new VPN profile called ANC-UAA-VPN to vastly increase the number of connections that can be supported. On 3/31 we removed the older VPN profile as a cleanup measure and to reduce confusion. To connect to the new VPN profile, please select the ANC-UAA-VPN group on the login screen, prior to entering your user credentials.

Zoom Security Issues

Over the last week, there have been several security concerns with multiple Zoom features. The UA Zoom coordination team has been meeting regularly to discuss mitigations. This week, we modified a default setting in Zoom to no longer allow participants share by default. Additionally, Zoom published a software update to address other security issues.

For more information Zoom and other video teleconfercing options, please visit the following URL: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/institutional-effectiveness/departments/academic-innovations-elearning/faculty-and-staff-support/web-conferencing.cshtml

Google Chromebook Availability

We now have Google Chromebooks available for checkout at the UAA/APU Consortium Library information and check out desk. Please contact the Library for further details about qualifications and how to be issued a Chromebook.

Phone: (907) 786-1871
Email: Consortium Library

3/25/2020 Updates

Mobile hotspots and PC options available

IT Services has several solutions to support students with their technology needs. IT recently acquired a limited quantity of mobile hotspots (Verizon) and Google Chromebooks that are available to students who don’t have other options. Please contact IT Services to learn more:

Equipment drop-off/pick-up are now by appointment

This includes equipment for Desktop service, AV equipment, and Security cards.

  • To be able to implement added safety measures, all equipment drop-offs and pick-ups must be scheduled. To schedule an appointment:
    • Visit our IT Appointment scheduling page.
    • If you’re not logged in already, log-in to Google using your UAA credentials.
    • Once on the calendar, select a time that works for you.
    • In the pop up, update the description text to include your name, what the appointment is for, and your ticket number.
      • Don’t have a ticket yet? Call the TSC at 907-786-4646 or or toll-free at 877-633-3888 and they can get one started for you.
    • Select Save.
    • You’ve now successfully schedule and appointment! This appointment will now appear on your UAA Google Calendar.

  • At the time of your appointment:
    • Be sure to bring your UAA WolfCard to your appointment.
    • Park in East Campus Central Lot and head to the SSB front doors.
    • Upon arrival to the SSB, please call the building access number on the door, and we will dispatch a staff member to assist you.

Please note that equipment drop-offs and pick-ups will be held in the lobby area of SSB to ensure your and our staff member’s safety. You will need to provide a WolfCard before entering the building and verify that you meet the health and travel policy to enter buildings on campus.

3/24/2020 Updates

VPN update

  • Due to significantly increased demand for off-campus connectivity, UAA IT Services created a new VPN profile to allow for the increased numbers of users. When connecting to the UAA VPN, please choose the profile called "ANC-UAA-VPN" from the dropdown list at the logon screen.

    The old VPN profile (called On-Campus) allowed for 128 simultaneous connections and has been filling up by 8am each day this week. By using this new profile, you should not have a problem getting connected.

Internet options for students, staff, and faculty

  • Several new free or modified offers to help students and faculty with internet access have been added to this page: https://alaska.edu/virtual-campus/#workspace. Free internet offers through end of semester are included from ACS, GCI, and MTA.
  • UAA IT Services has a small supply of mobile internet hotspots. Students should contact the TSC (907-786-4646) or online (uaa.alaska.edu/techportal) for more information.
  • Internet options not available in your area, contact the TSC (907-786-4646) or online (uaa.alaska.edu/techportal) for help. 

Lab status

  • IT Services is proceeding with adding additional virtual lab capacity.  Additional capacity anticipated to be available by late April. Contact IT Services for more information. 

3/19/2020 Updates

Remote working resource website

  • UAA IT Services continues to work with UA Statewide on developing a one-stop UA Remote Working IT Resource kit, called the UA Virtual Campus, available at: https://alaska.edu/virtual-campus/

VPN status

  • As soon as guidance came out this week moving more staff to remote work, our existing VPN connection capacity was immediately maxed out.
  • The team as of 2PM on 3/18 we have increased our VPN capacity significantly.
  • However, more work is scheduled to be done in preparation for classes to begin next week.

Lab status

  • IT Services is working with facilities to make IT managed labs available with appropriate cleaning procedures and social distancing in place.
  • IT Services recently worked with the College of Engineering to deploy a virtual lab environment. In the past two weeks, we’ve received several inquiries from faculty asking for the same or similar solution to provide virtual lab access to their students. IT Services has limited capacity to provide this today but is exploring expansion options on an expedited basis. This option could reduce the number of on campus labs that would need to remain open and provide access to those students who have returned home and no longer have ready access to UAA campus labs. If moving this direction is supported, it would take IT Services approximately a month to procure and then deploy the additional virtual labs.

Technical support while working remotely

Internet options for students

  • The IT Incident Management Team is coordinating on current internet options available to students. Several new options for students and faculty were posted here: https://alaska.edu/virtual-campus/#workspace
  • UAA IT Services will be receiving a very small supply of mobile internet hotspots. The IT IMT planning team is waiting on a decision for how these will be prioritized and deployed.
  • Students should contact the TSC (907-786-4646) or online ( https://uaa.alaska.edu/seawolftechportal ) for more information.

Forms/surveys