email : Webview : Your Strategic Alignment Update

When we began the IT Strategic Alignment in the Summer of 2022, we identified the IT ticketing system as a critical path toward improvement and alignment. Today, I am pleased to announce the completion of the redesign and implementation of Katalyst.

Katalyst is now live and available to support you with university technology requests. We would like to thank our campus partners who tested the new system over the past few months, and invite all of campus to please log in to explore its new features, including the My Items dashboard, IT Knowledge Base, Announcements and more.

Additionally, we successfully implemented the new wired network, Cisco ISE, in three test buildings and all residence halls and updated the wireless guest network. This work ensures enhanced reliability and security on the campus's wired and wireless networks. We are finalizing the updated schedule for the rest of our campus network. We anticipate completion of this project in early August.

View our connecting to the internet tutorials for a quick overview of the new network features, including instructions on sponsoring a guest for wired internet access.

In addition, we have five additional updated technology policies for your review. Each updated policy is listed below and available for further review on the Sam Houston State University policies website.

IT-22 Identification Authentication: This policy is designed to safeguard your data security and integrity by establishing rules and measures to prevent unauthorized access.

View Policy

IT-23 Intrusion Detection Security Monitoring: This policy keeps your data secure by defining how SHSU monitors and keeps records of the data that travels through its networks. This helps detect any suspicious activities, new security weaknesses, or unexpected threats to SHSU's information resources.

View Policy

IT-24 Malicious Code: This helps maintain the availabilityof SHSU data by explaining the security measures and information controls in place to protect your SHSU-issued devices. It helps administrators defend against malicious software and quickly recover from its effects.

View Policy

IT-25 Physical Access: This policy ensures reliability and availability of your SHSU information by establishing standards to secure the physical locations where IT equipment is stored. This includes data centers and network closets and aims to prevent unauthorized access and ensure proper monitoring of these areas while addressing environmental threats promptly.

View Policy

IT-26 Portable Computing Policy: This policy reduces the risk of theft, loss of information and/or unauthorized access to your SHSU-issued portable devices. It outlines the requirements for safeguarding physical access to your portable devices and ensuring the operating system is up to date with security patches.

View Policy

As we approach the final month in this first year of our alignment efforts, our work will continue in FY24 with a strategic plan focus. We will continue to make progress on campus projects and internal priorities established between you and the divisional liaisons.

We value your IT experience and look forward to continuing our collaborative partnership.

Dr. Heather Thielemann, EdD
Sr. VP for Strategic Enrollment and Innovation