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Connect to WiFi on campus

Thursday, January 27th, 2022

 

The Wi-Fi network used to connect to the internet access is called eduRoam. Here we explain what it is, how to register and why it is necessary.

What is eduRoam?

eduRoam (education roaming) is the secure, world-wide roaming access service developed for the international research and education community. eduRoam allows students, researchers and staff from participating institutions to obtain internet connectivity across campus and when visiting other participating institutions by simply opening their laptop.

To connect to eduRoam and start using Wi-Fi on campus follow these steps.

 

Goodbye from Attie, Hello to Denisha

Thursday, December 2nd, 2021

With my nearing retirement at the end of December, it is time to say goodbye to my valued colleagues. How quickly the years passed! After seven years, it is time for change and renewed energy.

Some of the highlights of my short sprint are:

  • The introduction of process formalisation in IT service management, resulting in the institutional use of the Jira Service Management platform. My sincere gratitude and congratulations to Nobi, Marc-Allen, Courtney, Malanie, Ronel, Leanne and many more colleagues who helped to turn it into a success.
  • The retirement of Inetkey, and the abundant availability of Internet capacity.
  • The establishment of maturing service practices in the IT Division, like architecture, security, project and service management.
  • The structural reorganisation of the IT Division to enable service continuity, portfolio management with increased focus on academic support, business systems renewal and service management.
  • Infrastructure modernisation in the campus networks and building refurbishment, especially the Extended Learning Spaces project with state-of-the-art audio-visual technologies; and finally,
  • ensuring business continuity with systems and technology during the COVID period (2020-2021).

Thank you for all your support and the stimulating challenges, especially my directors for their loyal support. I wish you all a thriving work environment, and success in all your endeavours!

My successor, Dr Denisha Jairam-Owthar, will be joining you in January 2022 as Chief Director of Information Technology. I have full confidence in her abilities, and believe that SU will benefit greatly from her leadership.

Why is MFA essential?

Tuesday, November 30th, 2021

Security risks and innovative cyber criminals are nothing new, however, when we work from home, these risks increase expeditiously. The only way we can combat security breaches is by adding extra measures of which multi-factor authentication (MFA) is one. 

Information Technology is currently rolling out MFA. Most staff and students have already registered. If you haven’t, we ask that you urgently do so as all users will require to use MFA to access some services. The first services that will need MFA authentication are the Microsoft365 applications. These include Outlook and Teams.

A guide on how to register is available at the bottom of this article and everything you need to know about MFA at Stellenbosch University can be found on our service catalogue.

WHAT IS MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION (MFA)?

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) seeks to decrease the likelihood that others can access your data.  

Specifically, it enhances the security of your UserID by using your phone, tablet or other device to verify your identity when you attempt to access Stellenbosch University’s network and resources.  

It takes two items to access and update your information: “something you know” (e.g. your password) and “something you have” (e.g. your phone). For example, when you visit an ATM, one authentication factor is the ATM card you use to start the transaction – that’s the “something you have.” Next, you enter a PIN, which is the “something you know.” Without both these factors, your authentication will fail.  

WHY DO I NEED TO USE MFA?  

Passwords are becoming increasingly easy to compromise. They can be stolen, guessed and hacked and new technology and hacking techniques combined with the limited pool of passwords most people use for multiple accounts means information online is increasingly vulnerable. You might not even know who else has your password and is accessing your accounts.  

In addition, experience has shown that people are not as good at recognising malicious email as you might think. Every day, members of the Stellenbosch University community fall prey to cyber scams. Imagine you work on the University’s financial system. You click on what seems to be a legitimate email, typing in your username and password. A criminal now has your login details and can access everything you can access – including, potentially, bank details. In this way HR systems can be accessed and hacked preventing salaries from being paid paid out, etc. The possibilities are endless if someone has usernames and passwords. 

We must take steps to ensure that we are more than just a single click away from having our pay check stolen or becoming a victim of identity theft.  

Multi-Factor Authentication adds a second layer of security to your account to ensure that your account stays safe, even if someone else knows your password. This second factor of authentication is separate and independent from the UserID and password step — MFA never uses or even sees your password. 

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR MFA?

You can register for MFA by following the steps in this guide.

Read more on MFA: 

MFA FAQ’s

Back to basics: Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

What is Multi-factor authentication? And why is it important?

Video on MFA by tech expert Tom Scott.

Makerspace at the library

Tuesday, November 30th, 2021

The Stellenbosch University Library Makerspace is a vibrant, user-centred facility enhanced by technology to elevate learning and digital literacy at Stellenbosch University. There are bookable design & construction workstations where patrons will have access to equipment and services such as:

  • 3D Printing and Scanning
  • AutoDesk software
  • Arduino UNO and Raspberry Pi
  • Soldering stations
  • Oscilloscopes
  • Dremel & hand tools

Where:

Upper floor, Stellenbosch University Library

Make a reservation:

https://sun.ac.za.libcal.com/reserve/Makerspace

https://libguides.sun.ac.za/makerspace

 

sun-e-HR system not available

Tuesday, November 30th, 2021

Please take note that as a result of critical system upgrades and maintenance, the sun-e-HR system will not be available from Thursday 16:30, 15 December 2021 to Monday 08:00, 20 December 2021.

Should you have any queries, please contact Wessel Nolte.

 

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