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Technology Blog Archive
Welcome to Cybersecurity Awareness Month!
Since 2004, the President of the United States and Congress have declared October to be Cybersecurity Awareness Month, time dedicated for the public and private sectors to work together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity.
Over the years it has grown into a collaborative effort between government and industry to enhance cybersecurity awareness, encourage actions by the public to reduce online risk, and generate discussion on cyber threats on a national and global scale. October 2024 marks the 21st Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Starting in 2023 with the launch of the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA’s) cybersecurity awareness program, Secure Our World is the enduring Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme. This theme recognizes the importance of taking daily action to reduce risks when online and using connected to devices.
As this month continues, CIS will send a weekly email with information and tips on how you can protect yourself, and your family and friends while using digital technologies.
Keeping your Accounts Secure - October 7, 2024
In today’s installment, we want to focus on securing your accounts. This includes keeping not only important accounts like Bank Account information secure, but also your SPU Account and any tools you use in your professional, academic, and personal life.
Password Management
You can strengthen your passwords by remembering these three tips. Long, Random and Unique.
At least 16 characters long
Random string of characters or create a memorable passphrase
Make them unique - use a different password for every account
If it’s too hard to remember all your passwords, don’t write them down. Instead, consider using a well-known and reputable password manager. That way you only have to remember one strong password.
If you haven’t changed your password in a long time, now is a great time to update your password. Follow the steps on Change Your Password.
When we choose strong passwords at SPU, we make it much harder for someone to steal not only your personal information, but our community’s information too.
Avoid Phishing Scams
Phishing scams are online messages designed to look like they’re from a trusted source. We may open what we thought was a safe email, attachment or image only to find ourselves exposed to malware or a scammer looking for our personal data. The good news is we can take precautions to protect our important data. Learn to recognize the signs and report phishing to protect devices and data.
Recognize common signs of Phishing
If an email contains any of the following, it’s likely phishing: Urgent or emotionally appealing language, requests to send personal or financial information, unexpected attachments, untrusted shortened URLs, email addresses that do not match the supposed sender, and poor writing/misspellings
Resist and Report
Report suspicious messages by using the “Report Spam” feature in your mailbox. There are even phishing messages that look like SPU. By reporting these messages, you help our mail filter detect and remove these emails before they can arrive in anyone’s email inbox.
Delete
Just delete the message. Don’t reply or click any attachment or link (this includes unsubscribe links). That unsubscribe link could also carry a link used for phishing or download malicious software. It’s best to just delete it.
Remember, if a message looks suspicious, it’s probably phishing!
Setup and Multi-Factor Authentication
Here at SPU, MFA is a requirement for your account. This is because, while it’s not a “silver bullet,” it still provides additional security and verification, such as a code sent via text message or email, or biometrics like a fingerprint or facial recognition; it helps confirm our identities when logging in.
Just because you receive a prompt or notification for approval, doesn’t mean it’s always you who is logging in. It’s still important that when you receive notifications that you check and make sure you know why you’re getting a prompt and if it’s something you expect to have happen.
Setting up MFA a.k.a. Two-Factor Authentication is a step in the right direction towards protecting yourself and those around you.
Consider turning MFA on for all email accounts, banking, social media, online shopping, and any other location where information about your identity might be stored.
We hope these tips we shared with you today help you stay safter online. Stay tuned throughout October for more ways you can stay safe in our digital world.
As a reminder, CIS will never request your password or other protected information via email.
Keeping your Computer Secure - October 14, 2024
Today we’re going to cover tips on how to keep your personal computer update to date, which is also a way to keep your data safe & secure.
Regularly Install Operating System Updates
Ensuring your device has the latest Operating System (OS) updates is important. If you’re like us, you also have a personal computer and that means you’re the person in charge of determining when and how often you update your computer. By setting your updates to install automatically, you can ensure you have the latest security patches.
Updates not only keep your device working well, but they help close security loopholes and keep you save. Click the links below to learn how to check for updates yourself and ensure you have automatic updates set up.
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/keep-your-mac-up-to-date-mchlpx1065/mac
Encrypt your Computer’s Hard Drive
Encryption is one way to ensure your data is secure and that someone can’t get to your data even if they extract the hard drive from the computer. This is the case for both Windows and Mac users, but if you want to keep your personal data secure, enabling hard drive encryption is one way you can protect yourself from unauthorized access.
Watch this video about BitLocker (Microsoft’s Encryption tool) to learn more about how it works: https://youtu.be/iX8QC2pRuYM?si=5qtlfugkpzByApRu
It’s important to ensure if you turn encryption on, that you read through all the documentation and have your encryption key backed up in a secure location. Without this key, your data may be lost.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/bitlocker-overview-44c0c61c-989d-4a69-8822-b95cd49b1bbf
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/protect-data-on-your-mac-with-filevault-mh11785/mac
Keep your Software Up to Date
In addition to keeping your operating system up to date, it’s also important to ensure the software you install on your computer is also kept up to date. Often, you can do this by choosing automatic updates in the application’s menu interface, but if automatic updates aren’t available, add a quarterly reminder to your calendar or task list to check for updates.
https://www.google.com/chrome/update/
Other ways to Keep your Computer Secure
Operating systems have a variety of features that can help you keep your data safe & secure. These might be tools like Microsoft Defender, great for scanning your system for malicious software, firewall settings to prevent unwanted internet traffic and connections to your computer
Stay Protected with Windows Security
https://www.apple.com/macos/security/
https://support.apple.com/guide/security/welcome/web
Install Software from Known Vendors
It’s important to know what you’re installing on your computer and where it comes from. By default, both Mac and PC devices require installation packages to be “digitally signed” by the vendor. You can override these settings and install applications from other places, but it’s still important to properly vet your software choices, paying attention to not only if the company is reputable, but also their Terms of Use & Privacy statements.
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/open-a-mac-app-from-an-unknown-developer-mh40616/mac
If you bought a Windows 11 PC in “S” Mode - which only allows apps from the Microsoft Store, you’ll need to switch out of “S” mode. Please note this is a One-way change. You can learn more at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-and-windows-11-in-s-mode-faq-851057d6-1ee9-b9e5-c30b-93baebeebc85
Retire Old Software & Systems
We all want to save money and often we think of computers in similar terms to the way we think about cars; use it and get as much life out of it as possible before selling it. Unfortunately, this mindset can lead to insecure systems because as the device ages, it will get to a point where the company no longer supports it or creates security patches for it. All software has a life cycle and it’s important to be aware of these, so you can know when to prepare to change software versions or upgrade to a new device with the latest operating system.
One major change that we know about, is Windows 10 coming to the end of its life cycle. As noted by Microsoft on their site: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-home-and-pro on October 14, 2025, there will be no further major releases or monthly patching. If you haven’t thought about upgrading your personal PC yet, now is a good time to start planning that process.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/
https://support.apple.com/en-us/100100
Exploring Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks - October 21, 2024
Last week we talked about your computer and ways you could keep the device safe and secure. This week let’s dive into Phishing and Social Engineering a bit more.
What is Social Engineering?
In a social engineering attack, an attacker uses human interaction (social skills) to obtain or compromise information from an organization or its computer systems. This even happens at SPU. The attacker may seem unassuming and respectable. They may even claim to be someone you know or a name you recognize, maybe even a position or job title that sounds legitimate. Just by asking questions, they may be able to piece enough information together to try to infiltrate and if they can’t get what they need through one avenue, then they’ll try another.
What is a Phishing Attack?
A phishing attack is a form of social engineering - these attacks typically utilize email or malicious websites to solicit information by posing as a trustworthy organization or person. For example, an email you receive may appear to be from a bank or other reputable company; sometimes a person offering a job. When you respond, attackers then gain access to all of the accounts and information you shared and, in some cases, may use this information to threaten you.
What are Common Indicators of Phishing Attempts?
Suspicious sender's address. The sender's address may imitate a legitimate business. Cybercriminals often use an email address that closely resembles one from a reputable company by altering or omitting a few characters.
Generic greetings and signature. Both a generic greeting—such as "Dear Valued Customer" or "Sir/Ma'am"—and a lack of contact information in the signature block are strong indicators of a phishing email. A trusted organization will normally address you by name and provide their contact information.
Spoofed hyperlinks and websites. If you hover your cursor over any links in the body of the email, and the links do not match the text that appears when hovering over them, the link may be spoofed. Malicious websites may look identical to a legitimate site, but the URL may use a variation in spelling or a different domain (e.g., .com vs. .net). Additionally, cybercriminals may use a URL shortening service to hide the true destination of the link.
Spelling and layout. Poor grammar and sentence structure, misspellings, and inconsistent formatting are other indicators of a possible phishing attempt. Reputable institutions have dedicated personnel that produce, verify, and proofread customer correspondence.
Suspicious attachments. An unsolicited email requesting a user download and open an attachment is a common delivery mechanism for malware. A cybercriminal may use a false sense of urgency or importance to help persuade a user to download or open an attachment without examining it first.
How do you Avoid Being a Victim?
Be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls, visits, or email messages from individuals asking about employees or other internal information. If an unknown individual claims to be from a legitimate organization, try to verify his or her identity directly with the company.
Do not provide personal information or information about your organization, including its structure or networks, unless you are certain of a person's authority to have the information.
Do not reveal personal or financial information in email, and do not respond to email solicitations for this information. This includes following links sent in email.
Don't send sensitive information over the internet before checking a website's security. (See Protecting Your Privacy for more information.)
Pay attention to the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of a website. Look for URLs that begin with "https"—an indication that sites are secure—rather than "http."
Look for a closed padlock icon—a sign your information will be encrypted.
If you are unsure whether an email request is legitimate, try to verify it by contacting the company directly. Do not use contact information provided on a website connected to the request; instead, check previous statements for contact information. Information about known phishing attacks is also available online from groups such as the Anti-Phishing Working Group. (See the APWG eCrime Research Papers).
Install and maintain anti-virus software, firewalls, and email filters to reduce some of this traffic. (See Understanding Firewalls for Home and Small Office Use, Protecting Against Malicious Code, and Reducing Spam for more information.)
Take advantage of any anti-phishing features offered by your email client and web browser.
Enforce multifactor authentication (MFA). (See Supplementing Passwords for more information.)
What Should you do if you’re a Victim of Phishing?
If you believe you might have revealed sensitive information about your yourself or SPU, immediately report it to the CIS HelpDesk so we can lock your account and prevent further access.
If you believe your financial accounts may be compromised, contact your financial institution immediately and close any accounts that may have been compromised. Watch for any unexplainable charges to your account.
Immediately change any passwords. If you used the same password for multiple resources, make sure to change it for each account, and do not use that password in the future.
Consider filing a report with the Office of Safety & Security (OSS). If money was stolen or you’re being threatened, OSS can work with local authorities to file reports and recover stolen property. Call 206-281-2922 or email securityinfo@spu.edu.
Watch for other signs of identity theft. (See Preventing and Responding to Identity Theft for more information.)
If you’re ever not sure, reach out to the CIS HelpDesk at help@spu.edu or at 206-281-2982 so we can assist you.
Source: Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks. February 2021. Retrieved, October 2024. https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/avoiding-social-engineering-and-phishing-attacks
Summer is coming to a close and the SPU community is beginning to return in mass to campus. It's been a busy summer in CIS. Whether you are instructing in-person classes, 100% online, or hybrid, there are steps you can take to make sure campus technology is a valuable resource and not a stumbling block. Please, add checking out your classrooms and updating your computer to your return to campus plans. Click on the links to the right or scroll down for details and to see campus technology updates we want to share with you.
The CIS HelpDesk
CIS Helpdesk ContactSubmit a CIS Helpdesk Ticket Office HoursSummer Hours (through Sept. 27th) Academic Hours (beginning Sept. 30) Walk-in hours |
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Need help with Banner or logging in to Canvas? Computer running slowly or might have a virus? CIS is here to help!
Plan Your Return to Campus
Make Sure Your Windows Computer is Ready for the School Year
If your computer has not been on the campus network or isn't connected to the Always on VPN ("SPU-AOVPN") in some time it will likely need to run several hours of updates and security patches when you connect to the campus network. Avoid this disruption by connecting to a campus VPN prior to returning or plan your schedule around updates running when you return. If your computer is not able to connect to the SPU-AOVPN, please schedule an appointment with the CIS HelpDesk to make sure your computer can connect to campus and is receiving all its security patches.
Is Your Computer Connected to SPU?
CIS works behind the scenes to make sure your SPU-issued Windows computer is updated with the latest security patches, performing optimally, and has access to the SPU Software Center. Device management is crucial in protecting and securing sensitive information, and you can do your part by making sure your SPU computer connects to our management domain.
To ensure your device is secure and connecting properly, please follow the instructions on the Software Center page to load and install an application (we recommend using this time to make sure Zoom is on the current version 5.10.7). If you are unable to load the Software Center or the installation does not succeed, please contact CIS so we can make sure this service, as well as other update services are running correctly on your computer.
For Windows 11 devices, the same can be said for Company Portal since Windows 11 does not carry Software Center. For more information on Company Portal and its use, please refer to this SPU wiki page.
Software Updates
Some software tools, such as Zoom, won't work unless you are on the current version. Make sure these tools are updated before you need them in class. If you didn't already install the latest version of Zoom from the Software Center on your computer (see above), do so now and check if other software updates are available.
Office Equipment
Gather any office equipment that you took home for the summer. Possible items may include your computer, monitor(s), docking station, cables, keyboard, mouse, printer, headset, webcam, office chair, etc. Carefully package your equipment when transporting to avoid costly damage.
Please Check Your Classrooms in Advance!
Windows 11
Since Windows 10 will no longer be supported after 2025, we have begun the transition for moving all SPU-managed devices to Windows 11. Over the summer, we successfully upgraded all classroom podium computers to Windows 11. The upgrade process for academic and lab computers will continue throughout the year, and we will keep you informed as these upgrades take effect. For faculty laptops, the CIS team will coordinate with departments to facilitate this upgrade.
For more information on Windows 11 and how to familiarize yourself with the new OS, please visit our Windows 11 training resources on the SPU Wiki.
In-Person Classes
Stop by your classroom and log in to the podium computer or try plugging in your laptop if you plan to use it for your lessons to make sure you have the right adaptors. Do a quick run-through of a presentation and test any specialized software. If you spot any problems, please contact the CIS Help Desk at 206-281-2982 or www.spu.edu/cishelpdesk.
If you need a refresher on how to operate the podium PCs or other presenting technologies in classrooms, please first refer to the recorded lesson on SPU Classroom Technology. To schedule a one-on-one training with a CIS technician, please contact the CIS HelpDesk at 206-281-2982 or www.spu.edu/cishelpdesk.
If you might need to record or stream your in-person class to support a student not able to be in the room, please test your webcam and microphone with the computer in the classroom (or be prepared to bring your laptop). If you have any questions about recording with Zoom or Panopto, sharing the recording with your class, or need a webcam and microphone please contact Educational Technology and Media at etmhelp@spu.edu for advice as soon as possible.
Please do not unplug, power off equipment, or move computer podium cables. Before leaving your classroom, please return the podium equipment exactly how you found it. |
Online Classes
If you will teach online, please ensure you have a Canvas course set up. If you are teaching synchronously, please also familiarize yourself with setting up a Zoom class and make sure Zoom is updated to the latest version. Start here for information about features available on Zoom and how to get signed up. A Zoom Licensed account should be used for any class instruction. This will allow you to host a class over Zoom class of unlimited duration and with up to 300 participants.
CIS Staffing Shortage
Like many administrative offices, CIS continues to experience staffing shortages. The dedicated folks in CIS thank you in advance for your patience as we churn through your support requests at a slower pace than either of us would like.
Classrooms and Technology
With all podiums now upgraded to Windows 11, in addition to becoming familiar with Windows 11, there are two changes we want to highlight for using the classrooms with podiums that we want you to know.
Please note that you will now need to sign in with full SPU Email (including the "@spu.edu") as the username when signing into podiums.
All podiums will now default to extended display on classroom monitors.
When first signing into the classroom podium, the monitors are set up to Extended Display by default. This means the classroom monitors will not mirror the main screen (which has been our practice in previous years); instead, each monitor will display separate content. You can move your cursor and windows between these screens.
If you'd prefer all monitors to display the same content as the main screen, you can change the setting to Duplicate Display. For step-by-step instructions, please refer to this SPU wiki page. Please note that by changing these settings, this will remain the same for the next person using the same classroom. |
Classroom Changes and Updates
In addition to the changes made last year to classroom spaces to bring integrated hybrid features to campus, the rooms below have also been updated or are in process of being upgraded. Please read below for more information.
Peterson Hall 302
This summer, we simplified the AV system in PET302 to a laptop-only classroom. Now users can plug in their laptop to one USB-C cable that connects them to power, a mouse, keyboard, and new lightweight and flexible document camera. The document camera can be used in a standalone application on your laptop or within video conferencing software, like Teams or Zoom. You can find the document camera instructions on this wiki page.
Additionally, the TVs that were already installed in this space have been left for direct connection via an HDMI cable.
These updates along with a QR code of those doc cam instructions have been posted in the room to guide users through the changes.
Demaray Hall 356
We would also like to remind campus of our spring project to add hybrid capabilities to DH356. This room is also now laptop-only with the same new document camera that integrates into your laptop, as well as a PTZ camera and lapel microphone for conferencing or recording lectures.
This room also has a sign posted to indicate room changes and instructions on how to operate the hybrid features. Navigate to this wiki page for those instructions.
Eaton Hall 112 and OMH 109 Lecture Halls
These lecture halls are also currently in the process for hybrid classroom upgrades. These upgrades will be completed by the start of the school year.
SPU Classroom Technology Training
CIS has published various technology training videos over the past year including one co-hosted with ETM on Classroom Technology. You can find this and other recordings here.
Subjects covered specifically in the SPU Classroom Technology video are:
00:00-25:45 - review of existing technology in classrooms (computer podium, projector controls, document camera), troubleshooting potential technology issues
25:45-38:00 - recording lessons in an on-campus classroom (Panopto), hardware needed to record, recording challenges in the classroom
You are welcome to live stream from the classroom, however live streaming in classrooms is currently not supported by CIS or ETM. |
Emergency Classroom Support
Even with good preparation it is always possible that some technology will not function as expected in the classroom. It is CIS's priority to assist you in these cases.
If you run into technology problems in your classroom, call the CIS HelpDesk at 206-281-2982. We will do everything we can to provide assistance on the phone or dispatch a technician to your room as soon as possible.
Our goal is to correct technology issues before they turn into a classroom crisis. If you experience any trouble at all during a class period but can't wait for support, please be sure and let us know about it later by emailing us at help@spu.edu.
Software in Classrooms and Academic Labs
All classroom and lab computers have a broad range of software installed and configured, but please let the CIS HelpDesk know if anything is missing. Additionally, if there are any new software needs, please inform the CIS HelpDesk as soon as possible. There is often a review and testing process required for new software.
For more information on how to request new software for academic computers or how to request an update to existing software, see here.
Protecting Student Privacy
We all value our privacy and are frustrated when others are careless with the sensitive information, we entrust them with. You are entrusted with sensitive information about students and others the Seattle Pacific University community and you share in the responsibility to protect our students by complying with regulations and University policies. The Regulated Data Chart provides a simple overview of which places have the security and contractual protections to store certain types of sensitive Regulated Data. You can also learn more about campus Data Policy, Data Laws and Regulations, and Handling Confidential Data responsibly.
Using a Personal Computer for Work
Personal computers and departmentally purchased computers (unmanaged) do not have the same security and regulatory compliance protections that SPU-managed computers purchased and managed by CIS have. Personal devices or cloud resources (Google Docs, DropBox, etc.) used for work purposes are subject to eDiscovery and can be confiscated or seized if they are suspected to contain information related to a lawsuit against the institution. Protect our student's data, yourself, your property, and the University by following the Use of Personal / Un-Managed Devices for Work policy.
Use OneDrive for Cloud File Storage
Storage platforms like Dropbox and Google Drive are not compliant for sensitive or regulated University data, such as information protect by FERPA. OneDrive for Business is the contractually protected platform approved for storing sensitive documents in the cloud.
Peer-to-Peer File Sharing and Copyright Compliance
File sharing software that copies and distributes songs, movies, videos, games, and software applications without the permission of the owner is a Copyright Law violation that can subject you to criminal and civil liability. Content owners use technological means to track the file sharing of their intellectual property on the Internet. SPU is required by law to inform you if we are aware, you have violated copyright law and must provide your information to copyright owners for legal action if you do not cease illegal activity. You are responsible for the activities of your computer when connected to the campus network. See Copyright Basics and DMCA Copyright Compliance / Peer-to-Peer File Sharing for more information about copyright compliance.
Adjusting Campus Services
As part of the SPU135 initiative, we would like to remind you that CIS will be making adjustments to campus software throughout the school year to help ensure a better future. CIS representatives will work closely with department leaders to facilitate these changes and develop strategies for a smooth transition, providing the best possible support during this process.
Thank you for your cooperation as we move forward with these adjustments.
Setting Yourself Up for Success
Technology Services Catalog
Could your work benefit from new tools or technologies? The University may already provide the tools you need. Browse through the Technology Services Catalog to see all the software and systems available to you. Also check out the CIS Services page to look at business services that CIS offers including consultations on your area's operations.
Updating your Computer
If your computer has not been on the campus network for a while or isn't connected to the Always on VPN ("SPU-AOVPN") in some time it will likely need to run several hours of updates and security patches when you connect to the campus network. Avoid this disruption by connecting to a campus VPN prior to returning or plan your schedule around updates running when you return. If your computer is not able to connect to the SPU-AOVPN, please schedule an appointment with the CIS HelpDesk to make sure your computer can connect to campus and is receiving all its security patches.
Is Your Computer Connected to SPU?
CIS works behind the scenes to make sure your SPU-issued Windows computer is updated with the latest security patches, performing optimally, and has access to the SPU Software Center. Device management is crucial in protecting and securing sensitive information, and you can do your part by making sure your SPU computer connects to our management domain.
To ensure your device is secure and connecting properly, please follow the instructions on the Software Center page to load and install an application (e.g.: update Zoom to the latest version). If you are unable to load the Software Center or the installation does not succeed, please contact CIS so we can make sure this service, as well as other update services are running correctly on your computer.
For Windows 11 devices, the same can be said for Company Portal since Windows 11 does not carry Software Center. For more information on Company Portal and its use, please refer to this SPU wiki page.
Windows 11 upgrades on staff devices
As the end of support for Windows 10 approaches, we will be upgrading to Windows 11 for all compatible devices. Windows 11 brings a modern, streamlined user interface, along with ongoing updates and enhanced security. While the changes might not be drastic, they focus on incremental performance improvements and refined features.
The CIS team will coordinate with departments to facilitate this upgrade. Although there is still some time before Windows 10 support ends, we aim to complete the upgrade on all devices before the end of the Fall 2025.
For more information on Windows 11 and how to familiarize yourself with the new OS, please visit our Windows 11 training resources on the SPU Wiki.
Protecting Student Privacy
We all value our privacy and are frustrated when others are careless with the sensitive information, we entrust them with. You are entrusted with sensitive information about students and others the Seattle Pacific University community and you share in the responsibility to protect our students by complying with regulations and university policies. If you ever have questions about where it's safe to store protected information, the Regulated Data Chart provides a simple overview of which services have the security and contractual protections in place to store Regulated Data. You can also learn more about campus Data Policy, Data Laws and Regulations, and Handling Confidential Data responsibly.
Using a Personal Computer for Work
Personal computers and departmentally purchased computers (unmanaged) do not have the same security and regulatory compliance protections that SPU-managed computers purchased and managed by CIS have. Personal devices or cloud resources (Google Docs, DropBox, etc.) used for work purposes are subject to eDiscovery and can be confiscated or seized if they are suspected to contain information related to a lawsuit against the institution. Protect our student's data, yourself, your property, and the University by following the Use of Personal / Un-Managed Devices for Work policy.
Use OneDrive for Cloud File Storage
Storage platforms like Dropbox and Google Drive are not compliant for sensitive or regulated University data, such as information protect by FERPA. OneDrive for Business, Teams and SharePoint are the contractually protected platforms approved for storing sensitive documents in the cloud. Contact CIS if you'd like help moving your business processes to one of these platforms.
Peer-to-Peer File Sharing and Copyright Compliance
File sharing software that copies and distributes songs, movies, videos, games, and software applications without the permission of the owner is a Copyright Law violation that can subject you to criminal and civil liability. Content owners use technological means to track the file sharing of their intellectual property on the Internet. SPU is required by law to inform you if we are aware, you have violated copyright law and must provide your information to copyright owners for legal action if you do not cease illegal activity. You are responsible for the activities of your computer when connected to the campus network. See Copyright Basics and DMCA Copyright Compliance / Peer-to-Peer File Sharing for more information about copyright compliance.
Adjusting Campus Services
As part of the SPU135 initiative, we would like to remind you that CIS will be making adjustments to campus software throughout the school year to help ensure a better future. CIS representatives will work closely with department leaders to facilitate these changes and develop strategies for a smooth transition, providing the best possible support during this process.
Thank you for your cooperation as we move forward with these adjustments.
SPU will NEVER ask you to send your login credentials or other personal/confidential information via email. Your account credentials should never be shared with anyone.
Welcome to new students and welcome back to returning students! We are so excited to have you at SPU. The team in CIS has updated over forty classrooms, upgraded systems and enhanced security over the summer in preparation for your return. Know that the CIS HelpDesk is here to support you with your technology as enter this new academic year. Please click on the links below for details and to see campus technology updates we want to share with you.
The CIS HelpDesk
Need help with Banner or logging in to Canvas? Computer running slowly or might have a virus? We're here to help!
CIS Helpdesk Contact
Submit a CIS Helpdesk Ticket
Email the CIS Helpdesk
Call the CIS Helpdesk: 206-281-2982
Office Hours
Summer Hours (through Sept. 27th)
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Academic Hours (beginning Sept. 30)
Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Walk-in hours
Monday - Friday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Campus WiFi
WiFi is available all across campus for students and their guests. For detailed instructions see Network and Internet.
Guest WiFi
Guest WiFi is available for parents, friends, and campus guests. Connect to the network ID called SPU-Guests , then launch a web browser and follow the guest registration instructions. Guests must provide a valid, non-SPU email address or a text-messaging cell phone number for registration. Guest WiFi is bandwidth limited. SPU students should use the network named SPU-Wireless for high speed internet access. Learn more here.
Outdoor Wifi Locations
Outdoor WiFi locations are available in Tiffany Loop, Martin Square, and in front of the C-Store.
SPU Online Services
All of your online services can be found by clicking on the 
icon in the top right corner of any SPU webpage and navigating to the Students tab.
Microsoft Office 365 for Education
There are many Microsoft Office products available to you as an SPU student, including:
Your SPU Email
Check your SPU email frequently for important campus-wide communications and information from your professors about your classes. See here for help with configuring your SPU email across all your devices (computers, tablets, phones, etc).
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a great collaboration tool that all SPU students have access to. Instant message your classmates, host a study group online, share files, and more. See here for more information: Study Groups In-Person and Online.
OneDrive for Business
As an SPU student you receive 1 TB (terabyte) of cloud storage space in OneDrive for Business. Your documents can be stored securely here and your account is accessible from any of your devices, on or off-campus. Documents can also be shared with others for group collaboration. Learn more here.
Microsoft Office Suite
Current students may obtain the latest version of Microsoft Office for Windows or Mac through the Microsoft Student Advantage Program. There is no cost to install the software on up to 5 personal devices, including your computer (PC or Mac), tablet (iPad or Android), or mobile phone (iPhone or Android). The Office Suite provides powerful productivity tools including: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, and Outlook. Learn more here.
More Office Apps
In addition to the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, and Outlook) there are numerous apps that are available for you to use, such as Lists, Project, Visio, Planner and more. Log into your account to see what's available today.
Minecraft for Education
You have access to Minecraft at no additional cost through your SPU account. See here for more information.
Printing and Copying
SPU provides a campus-wide printing/copying program for students. There are Multi-Function Printers (MFPs) located across campus for your use. You can submit print jobs via the web from on or off campus and print them from any MFP once arriving on campus. You can also print directly from your computer or a USB flash-drive, copy, and scan to email. Document scanning on the MFPs is free and does not require print credit. Detailed instructions are posted at each MFP and on the CIS website: MFP Student Printing.
Print Credits
You receive print credits at the beginning of each quarter that accumulates through the academic school year as part of your Technology Fee.
Students enrolled in 12 or more credits get $5.00 per quarter
Students enrolled in 11 credits or less get $2.50 per quarter.
When print credit has been used up, you can use Falcon Funds on your SPU ID Card for additional printing.
Watch Out for Scams!
While many illegitimate messages are filtered out of your inbox some may still get through. SPU will NEVER ask you to send or verify your login credentials or other personal/confidential information via email. Your account credentials should not be shared with anyone!
Job Scams
You've probably already received several emails scam offering an employment opportunity from someone who appears to be associated with SPU. Please delete these messages and do not respond. All legitimate jobs at the university are posted on SPU's Handshake platform. Employers on Handshake are vetted to guarantee their trustworthiness. Here is a blog post with more information to help you identify and avoid employment scammers. If you have any questions about the legitimacy of an email message, please forward it to help@spu.edu.
Phishing
Phishing scams often come in the form of email messages attempting to steal your username and password. PLEASE DO NOT reply to these messages or follow web links where you must confirm or enter your username and password. If you have questions about the legitimacy of a message, please forward it to help@spu.edu and we can assist. See this Cybersecurity Awareness Month blog post about phishing for additional information.
Password
To ensure your passwords are as secure as possible, make them at least 16 characters long, use a random combination of mixed-case letters, numbers, and symbols—or create a memorable passphrase consisting of 4 to 7 unrelated words with or without spaces—and make sure to use a unique password for each of your accounts, such as k8dfh8c@Pfv0gB2 for your bank, legal tiny facility freehand probable enamel for your email account, and e246gs%mFs#3tv6 for your social media, thereby significantly enhancing your overall online security.
Peer-to-Peer File Sharing and Copyright Compliance
File sharing software that copies and distributes songs, movies, videos, games, and software applications without the permission of the owner is a Copyright Law violation that can subject you to criminal and civil liability. Content owners use technological means to track the file sharing of their intellectual property on the Internet. SPU is required by law to inform you if we are aware, you have violated copyright law and must provide your information to copyright owners for legal action if you do not cease illegal activity. You are responsible for the activities of your computer when connected to the campus network. See Copyright Basics and DMCA Copyright Compliance / Peer-to-Peer File Sharing for more information about copyright compliance.
Update Your Emergency Contacts and SPU Alert Info
It is important to be made aware of campus emergencies in real-time, as information is available.
SPU-Alert is the emergency alert system used to notify you of campus emergencies via text, email, and voice calls. We need your current contact information so that we can send you alerts during a campus emergency.
Emergency Contact Information includes the contact details SPU should use in the event that an emergency situation happens to you.
The beginning of the school year is a great time to review and update your information. Log into the Banner Information System, go to the Personal Menu, update your information on the Emergency Alert System and Emergency Contact Information pages.
SPU will NEVER ask you to send your login credentials or other personal/confidential information via email. Your account credentials should never be shared with anyone.
Welcome to campus housing at Seattle Pacific University! We hope you take advantage of the many technology services that are available to you as a campus resident. Find information on these services below and contact the CIS HelpDesk if you run into a problem or have any questions.
Are You New to SPU?
We're excited to have you here! In preparation for your arrival to campus, check out our technology reference page here: New Students. For instructions specifically about getting your email set up and configured on all of your devices (computers, smartphones, tablets), see here: Email Client Configuration.
Learn About WiFi and Internet Access
There is robust wireless internet throughout every residential building, and in many outdoor spaces. Many students bring multiple devices to campus that will connect to the campus wireless network. Once connected and registered, devices can seamlessly roam throughout campus on the WiFi. Here is a quick guide to network connectivity in the residence halls and campus apartments:
Personal wireless access points, WiFi range extenders, and network/wireless routers negatively impact the campus network and are NOT ALLOWED. |
Guest WiFi
Guest WiFi is available for parents, friends, and campus guests. Connect to the network ID called SPU-Guests, then launch a web browser and follow the guest registration instructions. Guests must provide a valid, non-SPU email address or a text-messaging cell phone number for registration. Guest WiFi is bandwidth-limited. SPU students should use the network named SPU-Wireless for high speed internet access. Learn more here.
Campus Printing and Personal Printers
There are Multi-Function Printers (MFPs) available to you in many locations on campus. Each quarter you will receive credits to use towards printing and copying. We encourage all students to use these MFPs rather than bring a personal printer on campus. If you do need a personal printer on campus, please know that your wireless printers will not work on the campus wireless network. Disable the wireless networking on your printer and use a USB cable (available at the SPU Bookstore or other stores) to connect to your computer.
For Information about on-campus printing and copying see: Student Printing
SPU will NEVER ask you to send your login credentials or other personal/confidential information via email. Your account credentials should not be shared with anyone. |
Cremona 202
This room contains our standard podium setup, but also has a TV mounted in the front of the room with a Logitech Conference Bar; which is an all-in-one solution with a camera, microphones, and speakers. Additionally, there is a touchscreen controller which can be used to control Zoom sessions. The Logitech camera captures a view of the whole room, instead of solely focusing on the professor. The TV acts as a secondary screen to show remote participants.
This space contains two separate systems and you may not have the room flexibility you may want due to how furniture and the room are configured.
In this space, the professor would join the Zoom meeting on the touch screen controller and plug in their SPU-provided laptop or use the podium PC to display slides. Thus, this room has two different connections to the class Zoom meeting; one to display content to in-person and remote participants, and the other for the audio and video communication with the remote students, from two different accounts.
Please note: the “second” account would be the room itself; users can start the meeting from the touch screen controller or use the meeting code to join the meeting with the touch screen controller. If you would like to read more about this configuration, please see our documentation here.
Cremona 202 Hardware
Cremona Camera View
DLMH 118
Like Cremona 202, there are separate TV and Logitech hybrid components in the room, but they are mounted on a cart instead of the wall. This allows the instructor to re-arrange the furniture in a variety of ways that Cremona may not be able to, providing for more flexibility.
This room is outfitted with the same hardware, plus an additional camera to capture the professor directly, with a supplementary microphone pod to improve the audio capture of in-person students for class discussions. These additions are due to DLMH118 being a larger space than CREM102.
McKenna/DLMH Hardware:
DLMH Hardware Pictures
Demaray 356
This classroom has a completely re-designed the podium setup, allowing for instructors to plug-in a laptop to display content with the projector. Instructors can also choose to connect the mounted camera and belt pack microphone to their laptop and run both the Zoom meeting and in-person classroom simultaneously.
The intention behind this design is to make streaming or recording a lecture easier, though it will not capture the audio or video of students. This is due to the class being tailored to ensure that remote participants can hear and see the professor, rather than to provide a more hybrid-like classroom experience. With those details in mind, ETM encourages instructors to consider how the space works within the mode in which you’d like to teach.
Demaray Hardware:
Demaray Camera View
