Information Technology Services (ITS)

Team members:

• Kanupriya Kejriwal, Manager, Information Security Risk Management, Information Security
• Victor Chijioke, Senior Information Security Analyst, Information Security
• Vinay Addagarla, Senior Information Security Analyst, Information Security

The cyber security-as-a-service program supports single-department faculties by embedding dedicated security resources directly within them. One year into the program, eight faculties are participating and have made rapid improvements in their cyber security posture. The team has successfully demonstrated how to align with standard best practices while understanding and supporting local needs. Due to the program’s success, it has been extended for another year.

Team members:

• Meagan Lau, Information Systems Analyst, Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration (EASI)
• Janelle Seto, Information Systems Analyst, EASI

The SAS Student Portal project represents a critical advancement in transforming our institution’s approach to academic advising. This central hub provides students from participating divisions with seamless access to essential advising resources, including request forms, tasks, success plans and referrals. Crucially, the portal incorporates a comprehensive knowledge base and divisional information categorized for intuitive access, empowering students to find quick answers and significantly supporting self-service. By streamlining communication and resource management, the SAS Student Portal will not only enhance the support available to students but also empower advisors, fostering a more connected, efficient and supportive academic environment across the university.

Team members:

• Jose Manuel Lopez Lujan, Manager, Servers, Storage & Virtualization, Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS)
• John Calvin, Manager, Data Centers, EIS
• Javier Ramirez Martinez, Enterprise Virtualization & Storage Specialist, EIS

In the fall of 2024, an unexpected early retirement of the UTORrecover institutional backup service sole subject matter expert (Backup Specialist) became a sudden and urgent concern for EIS. To ensure robust support for such a critical service, the role had to be integrated into a larger team. As a result, the EIS Hardware Infrastructure Group initiated a crucial digital transformation by rebuilding the service and integrating it with broader services of the ITS Private Cloud. The team rapidly assumed all UTORrecover responsibilities, learning operations on the job while continuing to carry out their existing duties. The rapid development and deployment of a self-serve portal transformed UTORrecover from a manually intensive service into a modern, user-driven platform. Throughout the transition, the team prioritized uninterrupted service for the university, minimizing impact on clients during a period of significant internal change. Success was achieved through daily, close collaboration between team members across roles and expertise, exemplifying cross-functional teamwork.

Jose Manuel Lopez Lujan, Manager, Servers, Storage & Virtualization, EIS

Jose pioneered AI-powered assistants, transforming service workflows and boosting productivity. His secure, scalable solution reflects leadership, innovation and cross-team collaboration that define responsible AI adoption.

Maddie Osei, Information Security and Business Analyst, Information Security

Maddie revolutionized cyber security engagement through a new website, events and student outreach. She unites diverse teams and empowers thousands through awareness and interactive learning.