Information Technology Services

April 4, 2024

April 4, 2024

An upgrade to Windows 11 was prematurely pushed to some Brandeis PCs on March 27 during routine Microsoft Windows System maintenance. ITS has taken steps to prevent additional PCs from being impacted by the forced update, but it was not possible to roll it back on machines that received Windows 11 at that time. For more information on the Windows 11 update, please visit Windows 11 on the ITS website.

Plans are in place for all domain PCs across campus to receive a Windows 11 update over the summer months. If your computer offers the option to update, you can get a head start by manually requesting “Windows Update” to start the process. If you have questions about Windows 11 or would like assistance in upgrading early, please contact the ITS Help Desk.

March 21, 2024

March 7, 2024

March 7, 2024

Workday is releasing the first of its 2024 semi-annual updates to improve and streamline the Workday experience the weekend of March 10, 2024. Workday will be unavailable during the update, beginning Friday, March 9 at 9:00 PM and continuing until Saturday, March 10 at 9:00 AM. 

Users will see changes to their navigation menu, including the removal of the “Benefits” and “Careers” worklets, which are being replaced by the new “Jobs Hub” and “Benefits and Pay Resources Hub.” Hubs provide a dynamic interface and enhanced search capabilities. The Benefits and Pay Hub combines resources previously found in separate Benefits and Pay worklets into a centralized source for employee compensation and benefit information. The Pay Worklet will continue to be available during the transition. However, users can also find that information in the new Benefits and Pay Hub. To learn more about the latest release, please see What’s New in Workday. If you have any questions regarding this update, please email help@brandeis.edu

February 17, 2024

ITS has completed the network shared drive migration. If you are having any issues accessing your network shared drives, please restart your computer. If you continue to have issues, please contact the Help Desk at help@brandeis.edu or by calling 781-736-4357 (x6 HELP).

February 16, 2024

ITS is moving network shared drives as part of the Feldberg Data Center Relocation Project. Network shared drives will not be available during the move from Friday, February 16, 2024, at 6:00 PM through Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Noon. Please save and close all open documents attached to your shared drive before Friday, February 16, at 5:30 PM. If you have questions about what is connected to the shared drive network or concerns about data loss, please power down your computer to ensure all data is saved and access is not interrupted once the network returns online. ITS will notify all users via the status page upon completion of the migration. For additional information about the move, please contact the Help Desk at help@brandeis.edu or by calling 781-736-4357 (x6 HELP). 

Please note the timeline for moving the shared drives:

• Users should save and close all open documents attached to the shared drive network before Friday, February 16, at 5:30 PM;
• If users do not save and close all open files, they could lose data;
• Users should power down their computers to ensure they have disconnected from all shared drives; 
• If users do not close power down their computers, they may need to reload or remap their drives upon completion of the migration;
• Downtime is scheduled from Friday, February 16, 2024, at 6:00 PM through Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Noon;
• Users will receive an error message if trying to access the system during the migration;
• ITS will notify users via the status page when the system is available again. 

For additional information about the move, please contact the Help Desk at help@brandeis.edu or by calling 781-736-4357 (x6 HELP). 

February 8, 2024

We are excited to share our February spotlight in our monthly ITS Spotlight Series. The Data and Systems Integration (DASI) team, led by Scott Edmond, manages feeds and integrations between systems and access to Brandeis systems based on user roles. This talented group also supports data reporting and management of the Brandeis website CMS. To read more about Scott and the DASI team, including what brought them to Brandeis and how they enjoy spending time outside the office, please visit the ITS Website.

February 8, 2024

Faculty and staff are invited to an upcoming in-person Cyber Security Awareness Training on February 21, 2024, from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM in the Feldberg Atrium Conference Room. Security experts from ITS will provide insight into common cyber threats and empower users with the skills to identify malicious emails and manage privacy effectively. Please register in advance for Cyber Security Awareness Training, as seats are limited and refreshments will be served! For those unable to attend in person, we are pleased to offer the option to join remotely via Zoom.

The Brandeis Information Security Team provides information and training to the community to help defend against increasingly sophisticated phishing attacks and email scams. We also welcome the opportunity to meet with individual groups or departments. If you have any questions about security or would like to schedule training for your department, please email security@brandeis.edu. Additional data privacy resources and security tools can be found in the Information Security section of the ITS website. 

February 8, 2024

As part of their semi-annual updates to enhance and improve functionality, Workday is changing its Inbox feature to My Tasks. My Tasks offers enhanced search functionality and task management, allowing users to customize their Workday Inbox. Users will be able to search by keyword, date, and task assignment in addition to creating and using filters to make managing their Workday tasks easier. My Tasks will debut at Brandeis the week of February 12, 2024. Please see the Workday@Brandeis website for more information.

February 8, 2024

The security team recently enabled additional email protection in response to increased sophisticated phishing and other attacks. Proofpoint, our email security vendor, protects against malicious embedded links. It automatically scans email messages and then rewrites the URLs associated with the links so they are visible to recipients and safe to click. 

Messages originating from Brandeis.edu and messages sent using the Slate (Technolutions) platform now avoid the scanning and rewriting process. This “trusted source” security exception, approved by University leadership, was implemented to facilitate communication from platforms managed internally by Brandeis. 

Please contact the Security Team at security@brandeis.edu if you have any questions about Proofpoint or want to learn more about safeguarding your data against phishing. 

For more information about Proofpoint URL Defender, including examples, please see the ITS website. If you have any questions or issues with information security, please email security@brandeis.com

January 25, 2024

ITS will implement TeamDynamix (TDX), a new service management solution, on January 30, 2024. TeamDynamix (TDX) replaces JIRA, the current ticketing system, which has reached end-of-life and can no longer be updated. The TDX Service Management Platform will allow support teams to identify and resolve issues more efficiently with a unified ticketing architecture and new features that better meet our expanding service management needs. 

Once implemented, TDX users can create a ticket using a catalog of services in a newly created Service Portal or submit their issue at help@Brandeis.edu. The Service Portal will prompt users to provide critical information to direct their issue to the right team and shorten the path to resolution. 

To learn more about the TDX Service Management solution, including information for users on getting started with the Service Portal, please visit the ITS website or contact the TDX project team at tdxadmin-group@brandeis.edu.

January 25, 2024

Brandeis will launch a new Moodle learning management system (LMS) for Fall 2024 classes! Brandeis Faculty and Students will be pleased to see a fresh, contemporary interface and intuitive navigation — making it easier for faculty to create and edit courses and for students to locate and prioritize coursework. 

The decision to upgrade to a new Moodle 4 LMS was recommended by the Academic Technology Advisory Committee (ATAC) and approved by Executive Sponsors Carol Fierke and Stew Uretsky, as communicated in their July 21, 2023 announcement. Since then, faculty-engaged working groups have evaluated features most requested by the Brandeis community for inclusion in the new design. The Latte system as we know it today will sunset after the Summer 2024 term. 

To learn more about the Moodle implementation, including community involvement and governance, please visit our Moodle LMS project website or contact Ian Rifkin at irifkin@brandeis.edu or Matthew Sheehy at sheehy@brandeis.edu. 

January 25, 2024

Data Privacy Week, sponsored by the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), aims to raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding personal information and fostering a culture of privacy. In a world where data plays a significant role, protecting your privacy is crucial. 

Be a privacy champion and take control of your data! 

1.   Review and update privacy settings on your devices and apps.

2.   Be cautious about sharing personal information online.

3.   Use strong, unique passwords and consider a password manager.

4.   Regularly check and adjust app permissions.

5.   Stay informed about the privacy policies of your online services.

The Brandeis Information Security Team provides information and training to the community to help defend against increasingly sophisticated phishing attacks and email scams. We welcome the opportunity to provide training to individual groups or departments. We would happily attend an upcoming department meeting to keep your team current on the latest tips and tricks for staying secure online.

Additional data privacy resources and security tools can be found in the Information Security section of the ITS website. If you have any questions or issues with security or would like to schedule training for your department, please email security@brandeis.edu.

January 25, 2024

IT Governance Community Outreach provides students, faculty, and staff with the knowledge they need to stay informed about IT Governance through communication channels and engagement in governance with various academic, administrative, and operational technology committees. We invite all Brandeis community members to register for the IT Governance General Communications group to receive our regular newsletter summarizing IT governance activities. 

For more information, to sign up for IT governance-related communications, or to learn about your committee representatives, please visit our IT Governance website. If you have questions about IT Governance at Brandeis, please contact Steve Knowles, Director of Strategic Outreach & Engagement for ITS.

January 11, 2024

January 11, 2024

The ITS Workday team is seeking Brandeis Faculty feedback on the Student functionality in Workday to share with our Workday partners. We previously surveyed students on their Workday usage and provided input to Workday that they used to improve the Workday experience; we would now like to take that opportunity for faculty. Please take a couple of minutes to fill out our faculty survey. Your feedback is anonymous and much appreciated!

January 11, 2024

The Technology Help Desk is pleased to share Spring 2024 support hours for all technology-related issues. Beginning January 9, 2024, the Help Desk will be open for support at the following times:

• Mondays through Fridays, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM;

• Weekends, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

• Sunday, January 14, 2024 — Closed for Student Training

• Monday, January 15, 2024 — Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

The Help Desk staff is committed to providing high-level technology support and service to the Brandeis community. Our team of technology support specialists is located in the Goldfarb Library, Level 1. Community members can also get help by emailing help@brandeis.edu or calling 781-736-4357 (x6HELP). Please visit the ITS website for more information, including a detailed support schedule.

January 11, 2024

The security team enabled additional email protection in response to increased sophisticated phishing and other attacks. Proofpoint, our email security vendor, provides spam filtering and email protection. Proofpoint now provides additional visibility into phishing and other malicious email attacks by scanning incoming emails for known malicious hyperlinks. Proofpoint URL Defender automatically rewrites links in incoming email messages to evaluate whether the linked content is harmful. Users may notice that URLs associated with embedded links are now visible as text. For more information about Proofpoint URL Defender, including examples, please see the ITS website. If you have any questions or issues with information security, please email security@brandeis.com.

December 14, 2023

We are excited to share the next team spotlight in our ITS Spotlight Series. This month, we are featuring the Systems Engineering and Administrative Applications (SysApps) Team led by Matt Baumert. The SysApps team includes two groups — the Applications Team and the Systems Team. Together, these eleven systems experts work to manage the many applications and complex infrastructure that make Brandeis’s systems run. To read more about Matt and the SysApps Team, including what brought them to Brandeis and how they enjoy spending time outside the office, please visit the ITS Spotlight page.

December 14, 2023

The security team will enable additional email protection in response to increased sophisticated phishing and other attacks. Proofpoint, our email security vendor, provides spam filtering and email protection. Beginning December 15, Proofpoint will provide additional visibility into phishing and other malicious email attacks by scanning incoming emails for known malicious hyperlinks. Proofpoint URL Defender automatically rewrites links in incoming email messages to evaluate whether the linked content is harmful. Users will notice that URLs associated with embedded links will now be visible as text. For more information about Proofpoint URL Defender, including examples, please see the ITS Proofpoint page. If you have any questions or issues with information security, please email security@brandeis.com.

December 14, 2023

The Technology Help Desk is open for support for all technology-related issues at the following times:

• Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 20 through Friday, December 22, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, December 23 through Monday, January 1, Closed Winter Break
• Tuesday, January 2 through Monday, January 8, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, January 9, 2024, Normal Hours Resume

The Help Desk staff is committed to providing high-level technology support and service to the Brandeis community. Our team of technology support specialists is located in the Goldfarb Library, Level 1. Community members can also get help by emailing help@brandeis.edu or calling 781-736-4357 (x6HELP). 

November 16, 2023

We are excited to share our new ITS Spotlight Series — to allow the community to get to know our ITS colleagues. We’ll feature a new ITS team each month with links to individual profiles that include fun facts, interests, and hobbies. Our first spotlight team is the ITS Help Desk in the Goldfarb Library. 

The Help Desk is a centralized resource center supporting the needs of the Brandeis Community. Led by Chris Lowre, our team of desktop support specialists has 59 years of experience providing personalized customer service and technical assistance to students, faculty, and staff! To learn more about the Help Desk team and what they like most about working at Brandeis, please visit the ITS Website.

November 16, 2023

The Technology Help Desk is open for support for all technology-related issues at the following times:

• Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

• Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

• Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Thursday, November 23 through Sunday, November 26, Closed Thanksgiving

The Help Desk staff is committed to providing high-level technology support and service to the Brandeis community. Our team of technology support specialists is located in the Goldfarb Library, Level 1. Community members can also get help by emailing help@brandeis.edu. Please visit the ITS website for more information, including a detailed support schedule.

November 16, 2023

The security team plans to enable additional email protection in response to increased sophisticated phishing and other attacks. Proofpoint, our email security vendor, provides spam filtering and email protection. Beginning December 15, Proofpoint will provide additional visibility into phishing and other malicious email attacks by scanning incoming emails for known malicious hyperlinks. Proofpoint URL Defender automatically rewrites links found in incoming email messages to evaluate whether the linked content is malicious. Users will notice that URLs associated with embedded links will now be visible as text. For more information about Proofpoint URL Defender, including examples, please see the ITS website. If you have any questions or issues with information security, please email security@brandeis.com.

October 19, 2023

Please join the Brandeis Security Team for a webinar on Email Security Awareness on October 20, 2023, at 12:30 PM. Brandeis security experts will provide tips on spotting phishing emails, enhancing security, and protecting personal data. Phishing emails often appear genuine and can expose our network to bad actors when users don’t immediately recognize red flags and take precautions. Stay informed and become a cybersecurity ambassador!

Please see the Information Security section of the ITS website to register for Email Security Awareness. For additional tips on identifying and avoiding phishing messages, please visit phishing awareness on the ITS website. 

October 19, 2023

The Brandeis Security Team encourages community members to review the newly released Social Media and Technology Security Guide. With rising cybersecurity threats, it's necessary to safeguard your data and privacy. This quick guide provides essential steps to ensure digital safety on social media, including checking and modifying account settings and deactivating accounts. 

Please see the ITS website for additional data privacy resources and security tools. If you have any questions or issues with information security, please email security@brandeis.com.

October 5, 2023

Faculty and staff can now use their Brandeis credentials for login — eliminating the need to track a separate password. Faculty and staff should use their Brandeis password to log into Office 365 and other Microsoft services. Students will be eligible to use their Brandeis credentials beginning October 10, 2023. 

If you experience any issues logging in, please sign out and then sign back in. If you continue to experience authorization issues or have other questions about accessing Office 365, please contact the Help Desk at help@brandeis.edu. Additional information about Office 365 is also available on the ITS website. 

October 5, 2023

In recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Brandeis Security Team will offer an Email Security Awareness Webinar for faculty and staff on October 20, 2023, at 12:30 PM. Brandeis security experts will provide tips on spotting phishing emails, enhancing security, and protecting personal data.

The team will also host an information table in the Shapiro Campus Center on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Please stop by for information about the security program, to “Spot the Phish,” and to meet the team. Additional data privacy resources and security tools can be found in the Information Security section of the ITS website. If you would like to register for the workshop or have any questions or issues with security, please email security@brandeis.com.

October 5, 2023

Brandeis will replace department Ricoh multifunction printers during October with newer, more efficient machines. All printers will be updated in their current locations and continue to utilize PaperCut. ITS is working with impacted departments to communicate details, minimize downtime, and ensure a smooth transition. If you have any questions regarding the printer replacement, please refer to the ITS website or contact Jonathan Estwing at estwing@brandeis.edu.

October 5, 2023

A new Workday@Brandeis website will launch on October 16, 2023! The updated site will be organized by faculty, staff, and student roles to improve navigation and visibility to help guides. Once the site has launched, users may need to update their bookmarks. For more information about Workday, including the updated website, please visit Workday@Brandeis.

September 21, 2023

As part of the University's commitment to reducing our waste and carbon footprint, Brandeis will replace department Ricoh multifunction devices with newer, more efficient models and update print-related business expense and reimbursement policies. 

Beginning this October, new printers will replace existing ones in their current location and continue to utilize PaperCut. All new devices will include copy, scan, and print capabilities in black and white/grayscale and color in response to community demand.

In the coming weeks, ITS and Procurement will work with impacted departments to minimize the downtime associated with installations and provide more information about this exciting project. If you have questions regarding the printer replacement, please refer to the ITS website or contact Jonathan Estwing at estwing@brandeis.edu. 

September 21, 2023

Course instructors can now email students from their Workday class rosters. Workday has released a new feature on View Class Roster reports that allows instructors and administrators to email students directly. For more information about recent changes to Workday, including emailing students from the class roster, please visit the Workday@Brandeis website or email help@brandeis.edu.

September 21, 2023

Office 365 users will soon be able to use their Brandeis credentials for login — eliminating the need to track a separate password. ITS is working on synchronizing Brandeis passwords with passwords explicitly created for Office 365 accounts. Once synchronized, new Office 365 users can also use their Brandeis credentials to download Office 365. Additional information about Office 365 is available on the ITS website. For questions about accessing Office 365, please contact the Help Desk at help@brandeis.edu. 

September 7, 2023

IT Governance Community Outreach provides students, faculty, and staff with the knowledge they need to stay informed about IT Governance through communication channels and engagement in governance with various academic, administrative, and operational technology committees. We invite all Brandeis community members to register for the IT Governance General Communications group to receive our regular newsletter summarizing IT governance activities. 

For more information, to sign up for IT governance-related communications, or to learn about your committee representatives, please visit our updated IT Governance website. If you have questions about IT Governance at Brandeis, please reach out to Steve Knowles, Director of Strategic Outreach & Engagement for ITS.  

September 7, 2023

Our DUO Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) system requires re-authentication every seven days using the "trust this browser" option. Information about DUO Multi-Factor Authentication and best practices for using your device to authenticate is available on the ITS website. 

You can use a token for authentication in place of your mobile device. A token is simple to use and easily attached to a key chain. Instructors who prefer to refrain from using the DUO App or would like a backup to authenticating by phone are encouraged to contact the Help Desk for a token. The Help Desk is fully stocked and ready to assist!

If you need assistance authenticating to the Brandeis network or want to get a token, please contact the Help Desk by emailing help@brandeis.edu or calling 781-736-4357.

September 7, 2023

Workday is releasing the second of its 2023 semi-annual updates the weekend of September 9, 2023. Workday will be unavailable during the update — beginning Friday, September 8 at 9:00 PM through Saturday, September 9 at 9:00 AM. 

Although this release focuses mainly on back-end improvements, users will have additional options for pronouns and gender identity, and managers will benefit from a new homepage with easier access to team profiles. For more information on the upcoming changes to Workday, please visit the Workday@Brandeis website or email help@brandeis.edu.

September 7, 2023

Brandeis recently changed how guests access the Brandeis Guest Wireless Network. A member of the Brandeis community must now sponsor guests who would like to use the Brandeis Guest Wireless Network. 

Individuals continue registering using the guest registration but are prompted to include a Brandeis email to initiate the approval process. Larger groups are eligible for a temporary account that allows them to bypass sponsorship using a password.  

Additional information about wireless network connectivity is available on the ITS website. If you need assistance connecting to the Brandeis network or will be hosting a group that needs access to the guest wireless, please get in touch with the Help Desk by emailing help@brandeis.edu or calling 781-736-4357

August 24, 2023

The Technology Help Desk is pleased to share Fall 2023 support hours for all technology-related issues. From August 31, 2023, through December 20, 2023, the Help Desk will be open for support at the following times:

• Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 2, and Sunday, September 3, Closed for Live Training
• Monday, September 4, 2023, Closed Labor Day

The Help Desk staff is committed to providing high-level technology support and service to the Brandeis community. Our team of technology support specialists is located in the Goldfarb Library, Level 1. Community members can also get help by emailing help@brandeis.edu. For more information, including a detailed support schedule, please visit the ITS website.

August 24, 2023

Brandeis is changing how guests access the Brandeis Guest Wireless Network. Beginning August 29, 2023, a member of the Brandeis community must first approve any network guest before they receive access. 

Individuals will continue registering using the guest registration form but will be prompted to include a Brandeis email to initiate the approval process. Larger groups are eligible for a temporary account that allows them to bypass sponsorship using a password.  

Additional information about wireless network connectivity is available on the ITS website. If you need assistance connecting to the Brandeis network or will be hosting a group that needs access to the guest wireless, please contact the Help Desk by emailing help@brandeis.edu or calling 781-736-4357.

August 24, 2023

Calling all Faculty! Media Technology Services (MTS) will offer live classroom and learning space technology demonstrations, highlighting both on-premise and HyFlex modalities, including Zoom online learning features and automated lecture capture systems. In preparation for the Fall 2023 semester, MTS has worked in over 30 classrooms and learning spaces to upgrade equipment and improve functionality. Faculty and staff are encouraged to join a session to learn about the new classroom technology features or get a refresher. Learn more about Brandeis HyFlex Classrooms and sign-up for a demonstration. For questions, please contact mts@brandeis.edu.

August 24, 2023

Office 365 users will soon be able to use their Brandeis credentials for login — eliminating the need to track a separate password. ITS is working on synchronizing Brandeis passwords with passwords explicitly created for Office 365 accounts. Once synchronized, new Office 365 users can also use their Brandeis credentials to download Office 365. Additional information about Office 365 is available on the ITS website. For questions about accessing Office 365, please contact the Help Desk at help@brandeis.edu. 

August 10, 2023

the a="" href="/support/helpdesk/index">Technology Help Desk is pleased to share Post-Summer Session 2023 support hours for all technology-related issues. From August 12, 2023, through August 30, 2023, the Help Desk will be open for support at the following times:

• Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday, Closed

The Help Desk staff is committed to providing high-level technology support and service to the Brandeis community. Our team of technology support specialists is located in the Goldfarb Library, Level 1. Community members can also get help by emailing help@brandeis.edu. For more information, including a detailed support schedule, please visit the ITS website.

August 10, 2023

Brandeis will be making a critical improvement to our systems' security and user data protection. Effective Tuesday, August 15, 2023, our DUO Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) system will require re-authentication every seven days using the "trust this browser" option.

The Brandeis security team identified an urgent need to reduce re-authentication time to seven days, down from 15 days, in response to recent security incidents. Additional information about DUO Multi-Factor Authentication and best practices for using your device to authenticate is available on the ITS website<. We appreciate the community's cooperation and support in securing Brandeis's network and systems. 

If you have additional questions about DUO authentication, please contact ITS Security.If you need assistance authenticating to the Brandeis network, please contact the Help Desk by emailing help@brandeis.edu or calling 781-736-4357.

August 10, 2023

To ensure the safety and security of our network, Brandeis will be implementing a change this fall to how guests access the Brandeis Guest Wireless Network. A member of the Brandeis community will first approve any network guest before they receive access. 

Upon registration, guests must identify a Brandeis sponsor and include a Brandeis email. The sponsor will then receive an email to approve or deny guest access. Once approved, the guest will be able to access the network. 

Additional information about wireless network connectivity is available on the ITS website. If you need assistance connecting to the Brandeis network, please contact the Help Desk by emailing help@brandeis.eduor calling 781-736-4357.

August 10, 2023

The Information Technology (IT) Governance Program, established in 2020 under the sponsorship of executive leaders, provides a structure for the community to become more engaged in technology decisions while increasing transparency and efficiency. To better engage the Brandeis community in this program, the IT Governance Community Outreach initiative began in January 2023. 

IT Governance Community Outreach provides students, faculty, and staff with the knowledge they need to stay informed about IT Governance through communication channels and engagement in governance with various academic, administrative, and operational technology committees. We invite all Brandeis community members to register for IT Governance Communications, which will enable you to receive timely updates by email. 

For more information, to sign up for IT governance-related communications, or to learn about your committee representatives, please visit our IT Governance website. If you have questions about IT Governance at Brandeis, please reach out to Steve Knowles, Director of Strategic Outreach & Engagement for ITS.  

July 13, 2023

Brandeis will be making a critical improvement to our systems' security and user data protection. Effective Tuesday, August 15, 2023, our DUO Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) system will require re-authentication every seven days using the "trust this browser" option.

The Brandeis security team identified the urgent need to reduce re-authentication time to seven days, down from 15 days, in response to recent security incidents. We appreciate the community's support in securing Brandeis's network and systems and will provide additional information before the update.

Please visit the ITS website to learn more about DUO Multi-Factor Authentication, including best practices for authentication with personal devices. If you have additional questions about DUO authentication, don't hesitate to contact ITS Security. 

June 29, 2023

The Technology Help Desk is open to support your technology-related issues at the following times:

• Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday, closed
• Monday and Tuesday, July 3-4, 2023: closed Independence Day

The Help Desk staff is committed to providing high-level technology support and service to the Brandeis community this Summer. Our team of technology support specialists is located in the Goldfarb Library, Level 1. Community members can also get support by sending an email to help@brandeis.edu or calling 781-736-4357. For more information, including a detailed support schedule for Summer 2023, please visit the ITS website.

June 29, 2023

Faculty, staff, and postdoctoral scholars can now update their Workday profiles to include education information. Users can view and add education information under the Career tab on their Workday profiles. Before changes are published to faculty education profiles, the requested updates will be sent to their Deans’ Offices for approval. Academic affiliates with a courtesy appointment to Brandeis should contact their academic unit for assistance in adding their education information. Instructions to Add Education Information are available on the Workday@Brandeis website.

June 15, 2023

Sponsored Programs Accounting is pleased to announce a more streamlined and efficient Effort Certification Process in Workday. After reviewing the current process, SPA has introduced several important changes to the process of certifying time and effort for grant-funded projects. These changes include a Pro-Forma Effort Certification report that can be run to review reported effort, auto-generated Payroll Accounting Adjustments created when the effort is changed in Workday, and a new Effort Reporting Work Area to consolidate work in one place.

SPA will host office hours to assist users with these changes on Thursdays at 11:00 am viaZoom, Thursday, June 15, 2023 through Thursday, July 6, 2023.

If you have questions regarding the Effort Certification process, please email effortspa@brandeis.edu for assistance.

June 15, 2023

The Workday Finance Subcommittee, reporting to the parent Workday Advisory Committee, provides oversight and direction for the Workday Financial Module — approving and prioritizing changes stemming from Workday product releases and needs across campus. The subcommittee is led by Finance and Administration representatives, Ken Freda and Cherie Sadeli, and includes representatives from Brandeis schools and departments. Representatives work with the Brandeis community to vet and advance requests to the subcommittee.

The IT Governance Program includes committees, processes, and communications that engage the Brandeis community. For more information about the IT Governance Committees, including the Workday Finance Subcommittee, to sign up for IT Governance WAC communications, or to learn about the requests or your committee representatives, please visit our updated IT Governance website.

June 1, 2023

The Technology Help Desk is pleased to share Summer 2023 support hours for all technology-related issues. From June 5, 2023 through August 11, 2023, the Help Desk will be open for support at the following times:

• Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday, Closed
• Monday, June 19, 2023 : Closed Juneteenth
• Monday and Tuesday, July 3-4, 2023: Closed Independence Day

The Help Desk staff is committed to providing high-level technology support and service to the Brandeis community this Summer. Our team of technology support specialists is located in the Goldfarb Library, Level 1. Community members can also get support by sending an email to help@brandeis.edu or calling 781-736-4357. For more information, including a detailed support schedule for Summer 2023, please visit the ITS website.

May 18, 2023

The Technology Help Desk is pleased to share Pre-Summer 2023 support hours for all technology-related issues. From May 22, 2023 through June 4, 2023, the Help Desk will be open for support at the following times:

• Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday, Closed
• Friday May 26th, 2023 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Monday May 29, 2023, Closed Memorial Day

The Help Desk staff is committed to providing high-level technology support and service to the Brandeis community this Summer. Our team of technology support specialists is located in the Goldfarb Library, Level 1. Community members can also get support by sending an email to help@brandeis.edu or calling 781-736-4357. For more information, including a detailed support schedule for Summer 2023, please visit the ITS website.

May 4, 2023

The Workday Human Resources Subcommittee, reporting to the parent Workday Advisory Committee, provides oversight and direction for the Workday Human Resources Module — approving and prioritizing changes stemming from Workday product releases and needs across campus. The subcommittee is led by Dana Sheehan, Associate Director of HR Operations, and includes representatives from Brandeis schools and departments. Representatives work with the Brandeis community to vet and advance requests to the subcommittee.

The IT Governance Program includes committees, processes, and communications that engage the Brandeis community. For more information about the IT Governance Committees, including the Workday Human Resources Subcommittee, to sign up for IT Governance WAC communications, or to learn about the requests or your committee representatives, please visit our updated IT Governance website.

April 20, 2023

Pulse Connect Secure, the Brandeis-approved virtual private network (VPN) software that allows you to securely access and connect to systems and services on the Brandeis network when you are off campus, is rebranding to Ivanti Secure Access. The new name and look will be reflected in all future software updates beginning April 25; nothing else will change. The update is automatic, and users do not need to take any action. To learn more about the Ivanti Brandeis VPN, including instructions and sample screens, please visit the ITS website. If you have additional questions about Ivanti Secure Access, please contact the Help Desk at help@brandeis.edu.

April 20, 2023

The Workday Student Subcommittee, reporting to the parent Workday Advisory Committee, provides oversight and direction for the Workday Student Module — approving and prioritizing changes stemming from Workday product releases and needs across campus. The Subcommittee is led by Vice Provost of Academic Affairs, Kim Godsoe and includes representatives from Brandeis schools and departments. Representatives work with the Brandeis community to vet and advance requests to the Subcommittee.

The IT Governance Program includes committees, processes, and communications that engage the Brandeis community. For more information about the IT Governance Committees, including the Workday Student Subcommittee, to sign up for IT Governance WAC communications, or to learn about the requests or your committee representatives, please visit our updated IT Governance website.

April 6, 2023

How secure is your home network? Can you “Spot the Phish”? The Information Security Services team will offer an interactive workshop on securing your personal devices and protecting your family’s privacy online. A panel of Brandeis security experts will provide security tips and answer questions about available security tools, avoiding social engineering attacks, and securing your family against cyber attacks. 

Participants can choose from one of two lunchtime sessions — Wednesday, April 26, at 12:30 pm or Friday, April 28, at 12:30 pm. Registration for Security Awareness Beyond the Office is now open. Additional data privacy resources and security tools can be found in the Information Security section of the ITS website. If you have any questions or issues with security, please email security@brandeis.com.

April 6, 2023

Brandeis is moving to DUO Universal Prompt on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, to improve security and simplify authentication. All end users will see a refreshed display screen design when logging into Brandeis applications through single sign-on. The upgrade to DUO Universal Prompt from DUO Classic will not change the functions for most users but will enable several improvements to secure the Brandeis network better. To learn more about DUO Universal Prompt, including instructions and sample screens, please visit the ITS website. If you have additional questions about DUO authentication, please contact the Help Desk at help@brandeis.edu or 781-736-4357. 

March 9, 2023

The Workday Advisory Committee (WAC) provides oversight and direction for the Workday enterprise system — including business processes, system configuration, security roles, and changes stemming from Workday product releases. 

WAC membership includes representation from University departments and schools. The Committee meets regularly to review community requests presented by its functional subcommittees for Student, Finance, and Human Resources. 

For more information about WAC, to sign up for IT Governance WAC communications, or to learn about the request process or your committee representatives, please visit our updated IT Governance website.

March 9, 2023

Workday’s first 2023 semi-annual feature release takes place the weekend of March 11, 2023. Workday is unavailable during the weekend update — beginning Friday, March 10 at 9:00 PM through Saturday, March 11 at 9:00 AM. 

This release focuses mainly on back-end improvements not visible to most end-users. However, some users may notice changes to entering and updating Period Activity Pay. For more information on the upcoming changes to Workday, please visit the Workday@Brandeis website or email help@brandeis.edu.

February 9, 2023

The Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC) evaluates and makes approval recommendations regarding IT proposals, priorities, policies, and technology investments in support of University objectives.

ITAC membership includes representation from University departments and schools. The Committee reports to the IT Governance Program Executive Sponsors, who receive regular updates, validate its direction, resolve escalated issues, and, as needed, provide approval of policy changes and funding requests.

For more information about ITAC, to sign up for IT Governance ITAC communications, or to learn about your committee representatives, please visit our updated IT Governance website.

Last year, the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) expanded Data Privacy Day into Data Privacy Week to highlight the importance of data privacy for individuals and organizations. The NCA 2023 education campaign’s themes “focus on reinforcing consumer knowledge about personal data protection while addressing business’ responsibility for ethical user privacy and data collection practices. 

The IT Security group would like to remind everyone of the important role we each play in protecting the privacy of our Community by following Information Security guidelines, including: 

• Never sending or receiving Personal Identifiable Information (PII) through computer or email.

• Moving confidential information to secure applications such as Box. 

• Strengthening passwords and regularly checking to ensure passwords are not compromised. 

• Reviewing the Written Information Security Policy (WISP) on accessing, gathering, storing, using, and safeguarding Regulated, Restricted, and Confidential data. 

January 12, 2023

The Technology Help Desk is pleased to share Spring 2023 support hours for all technology-related issues. Beginning January 17, 2023, the Help Desk will be open for support at the following times:

• Mondays - Thursdays, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

• Fridays, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

• Weekends, 1 - 5 p.m.

The Help Desk staff is committed to providing high-level technology support and service to the Brandeis community this Spring. We continue to adhere to University and health guidelines to ensure your safety and that of the team. 

Our team of technology support specialists is located in the Goldfarb Library, Level 1. Community members can also get support by sending an email to help@brandeis.edu or calling 781-736-4357. For more information, including a detailed support schedule, please visit the ITS website.

January 12, 2023

The Academic Technology Advisory Committee (ATAC), led by the University Librarian, Matthew Sheehy, guides technology decisions to support the University's academic mission for teaching, learning, research, and scholarship. ATAC membership is role-based to ensure representation across all academic areas. Members meet regularly to evaluate academic-related technology software and products requested by the Brandeis community, as well as policy and standards related to academic technology, including the learning management system.

For more information about ATAC, to sign up for IT Governance ATAC communications, or to learn about your committee representatives, please visit our updated IT Governance website.