Letter from the CIO Dear Colleagues: In this report I hope you can look back with pride at the number of accomplishments we made as a department during July 2019 through December 2020. Through teamwork and collaboration with the University community, we sought to support and enhance our mission in the course of one of the most challenging times in our University’s history. To name a few of our accomplishments together, we continued enhancements on software and service offerings, physical infrastructure including phone and wired internet, Wi-Fi, mobile applications (e.g., myUK and UK:Go), and research computing cyberinfrastructure. Cybersecurity upgrades and threat monitoring for university systems were standardized across campus. A partnership with Verizon, allowed for increased coverage and capacity inside Kroger Field and extended to the Joe Craft Football Training Center. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we provided support for the University’s response to COVID-19 through participation in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and a variety of workstreams for Campus Re-Start plan and START efforts. Tactical procurement and distribution of necessary technology aided in a quick transition to remote learning, teaching, and work. We collaborated in the development of contact tracing technology through Salesforce. The Virtual Den virtual desktop and application service was expanded to support remote instruction and productivity. This expansion enabled applications to be securely run on any platform from any location with a network connection. ITS was there with wireless and wired infrastructure enhancements in the Nutter Field House hospital and Chandler Hospital for patient overflow preparations. Centrally scheduled classrooms received enhancements and new installations of live-streaming and recording capabilities. Approximately 7,300 iPads, keyboards, and pencils were distributed by ITS to aid in student success technology and consistent access. We did manage to facilitate some fun as well by hosting and providing technical support for the KHSAA’s Fall Championship Esports series. As we look forward to another year, I know that the projects and services throughout this document will not be soon forgotten. I rest assured knowing that we can accomplish so much together even in the face of adversity. Thanks for your continued support,
Brian T. Nichols Chief Information Officer
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