News

Message from Martin Bernier (CIO): Wow. Already, we’ve reached one month since the University moved from a physical setting to a virtual one. It’s staggering to think of all the changes that have transpired in just one month. In the last month we have seen our professional and personal lives move from in-person interactions to digital connections and the physical distance between us grow. 

Now that you’re working remotely, preventing data or security breach rests more squarely on your shoulders. Remote working opens the University to IT network, system and device vulnerabilities. With the rise of malicious online activity and increased coronavirus scams, the threat level has increased exponentially.

All urgent and non-urgent requests should be submitted via the IT Service Portal. This quick and efficient service also allows you to track the progress of your requests.

The hours of operation for telephone support are now Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Staff will continue to respond to online requests weekday evenings and weekends.

In light of recommendations by public health officials that ‘physical distancing’ is the most effective means of protecting our community, the University has decided that all student printing needs be met at the DocUcentre, located at the University Centre (UCU 0024). Send your documents in advance.

Let me start by saying thank you to each one of you for your tireless efforts over the last week. The University is responding to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 landscape and our team has really stepped up in our efforts to support the community. You have all done an incredible job supporting, as our President Jacques Frémont stated, “a historical migration from a physical to a virtual campus” with only a few days of notice.

Worldwide, there is a significant surge in email scams linked to COVID-19 and Coronavirus. For example, emails that seem to be from renowned organizations or health authorities with convincing subject lines about cures, safety tips or fundraising efforts are sometimes actually malicious, with links and attachments that contain malware.  

In order to minimize the spread of Coronavirus, most uOttawa staff, students and Faculty members are working from home. Setting up a home workspace is often easier said than done, especially when it comes to IT. Here are a few resources to get you off to a productive start.