The Office of Information Technology provides many services and applications to help UA students, faculty and staff work from anywhere with an internet connection.
Cybersecurity Concerns
COVID-19 is not the only virus to be concerned with; protect your computer from viruses with McAfee antivirus software. McAfee should be installed on all University machines; however if it is not, UA students, faculty and staff may install McAfee antivirus software on their own machines.
VPN
Faculty and staff are eligible to utilize UA’s virtual private network to access UA resources when away from campus. VPN is required for accessing critical applications on campus because it creates a secure pathway back to the UA campus network.
The VPN is only required to access certain applications, it is not needed for access to O365, Webmail, Box, Banner or other common work tools. To access the VPN, simply download the Cisco AnyConnect application from the Tech Tab of myBama. Duo is required to access the VPN. OIT recommends using the passcode option to speed up the authentication process.
Remember to disconnect from the UA VPN when you are done with your session, this will free up your session for another user.
Remote Desktop
Should you need to access certain applications, systems or information on your office computer, you may remotely connect to your computer through the VPN and a remote desktop connection. Make sure your computer is enabled for remote desktop connections before working remotely.
Phone Service
If you need to transfer your office’s phone line to your cell phone, or if you wish to receive your voicemail through email, contact our Telecommunications office and we’ll take care of it for you.
Group Messaging & Collaboration
Jabber is an instant messaging and presence application available to all UA faculty and staff. Jabber allows for workplace chat, and also provides the opportunity to transfer a University phone number to a mobile phone. To request Jabber activation, submit a request to OIT’s Telecommunications Office. UA faculty and staff can also use Jabber to forward a University office phone to a mobile phone.
Microsoft Teams is a great resource to stay connected to your coworkers. Teams is a unified communication and collaboration platform that combines workplace chat, video meetings, file storage and application integration. To access Teams, visit portal.office.com. Teams is available to all UA faculty and staff, and it integrates with O365 faculty and staff mailboxes.
Video Conferencing
Zoom video conferencing is available to students, faculty and staff. Zoom offers a seamless video, audio and screen-sharing experience across desktops, laptops and mobile devices. Zoom is also HIPAA compliant. Zoom accounts are available to students, faculty and staff; however, only those hosting meetings are required to have a Zoom account. Attendees can participate in meetings without Zoom accounts.
Faculty are granted Zoom Pro accounts, staff and students are granted Zoom Basic accounts. Basic accounts can host meetings that are up to 40 minutes. If you are hosting meetings longer than 40 minutes, request a Pro account.
Blackboard Collaborate is another web conferencing option for instructors and students. Blackboard collaborate allows for two-way audio, multi-point video, interactive whiteboards, breakout rooms and more. To begin using Blackboard Collaborate in your course, visit the CIT website for instructions on enabling Blackboard collaborate.
Cloud Storage
Rather than saving content to a workplace device, OIT encourages saving content to a cloud storage provider such as One Drive or Box. With cloud storage, your content is available from anywhere with an internet connection and protected by Duo two-factor authentication. Be sure to review OIT’s data storage classification chart to make sure sensitive data is stored appropriately.
Password Storage
Use LastPass password manager to keep track of important passwords. LastPass is a secure password management browser extension and mobile app that keeps passwords in a secure environment. With LastPass – passwords are not stored on or near a device, but within the secure LastPass application. Plus – it takes the guessing out of passwords, the only password you have to remember is your LastPass password.
Software
Most software available to UA students, faculty and staff is licensed for both personal and University machines. Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, MATLAB and more can be used on a personal machine. Review OIT’s software catalog to see available software.
Questions?
IT Services
Contact the IT Service Desk at itsd@ua.edu or 205-348-5555 for help with UA IT services such as access to myBama, Crimson email and VPN. OIT can also assist with software downloads and cybersecurity concerns.
Instructional Technology
Instructors – contact the Center for Instructional Technology at cit@ua.edu for help implementing Blackboard, Panopto, Zoom and other instructional technologies.