Category Archives: Email

Office 365 Features

We are writing to inform everyone that as part of the University’s new Microsoft Office365 Email, Calendar and Collaboration system there will be periodic updates sent via email from Microsoft directly to your inbox.

One such email is currently circulating regarding the “Clutter” feature that Microsoft is offering as part of Office365.  We want everyone to know that the email is legitimate. Clutter is a new service that will teach your inbox to remove bulk and unwanted email. For more information please go to:

http://blogs.office.com/2014/11/11/de-clutter-inbox-office-365/

Please contact the IT Department Helpdesk if you require more information.

Upcoming replacement of email filtering system

UPDATE, December 12: Proofpoint has been implemented and is fully operational.

To All SPH Faculty and Staff Email Users:

During the week of December 8th, Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) will be implementing a new virus and spam filtering service called Proofpoint,  to replace the current service running on the Harvard email systems (ICEMail, O365, Outlook).  The goal of this upgrade is to provide you with spam filtering that balances protection from harm or annoyance, while allowing you to receive the messages that you want and need.  While the recent increase in spam is not just a Harvard problem, the existing message hygiene service has not been able to achieve these objectives, and the new service offers more features and robust filtering from phishing scams and other email security threats.

More information on the new service can be found at: http://collaboration.huit.harvard.edu/proofpoint.html.

As we approach the SPH transition,  you will receive additional emails indicating your actual transition date and instructions on how to access new features.  Please be assured that you will still receive all email during this transition

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact our SPH Helpdesk by phone at 432-4357 or by email at: [email protected]

Tech Day will be held on September 25

Tech Day 2014Do you have technology questions and don’t know who to ask? Have you ever wondered who all these “IT” folks are and how they can help you? Do you like free stuff? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re in luck!

The HSPH Information Technology department is hosting a Tech Day on:

September 25th from 12:30 to 2 in the Kresge Cafeteria Atrium

We’ll be showing off the latest tech from tablets to video conferencing, hosting mini-talks, and raffling away prizes.

Come join us, meet the team, and have a great time.

Tables:

  • Dell — representatives from Dell will have the latest laptop, tablets and other machines available through the Harvard contract.
  • Harvard TPC — representatives from Harvard’s Technology Product Center will have the latest Apple products available through the Harvard contract.
  • Office 365 — User Services Team will demonstrate Office 365, a cloud-based email that HSPH will be migrating to in 2015.
  • WordPress — the HSPH web team will demonstrate and explain the School’s site-wide responsive design on a variety of devices.
  • Canvas — Media and Educational Technology Services (METS) will demonstrate Canvas, the learning management system that HSPH and Harvard are rolling out over the next year.
  • MediaSite — METS will demonstrate MediaSite, HSPH’s new course capture system that was launched in September 2014.
  • BlueJeans – BlueJeans video conferencing will host a remote session to demonstrate their video conferencing bridging service.
  • Virtual Desktops – The server team will be demonstrating our new virtual desktop, which will allow you to work on the same desktop from anywhere…

Tours:

  • We will offer quick 10 minute tours of the two new distance learning studios in Kresge LL and the HSPH server room.
Tech Day 2012

Hundreds of people stopped by a previous tech day to view new products and services.

Mini-talks (15 minute Q&A talks in Kresge 110):

  • Apple support: What do we offer?
  • Personal security (HRCI, Encryption, Privacy, and Virus Protection)
  • Digital signage
  • Google analytics
  • General Q & A

New Policy on Access to Electronic Information Posted

Harvard University has posted a new University-wide policy on access to electronic information.

The policy on electronic information is grounded on six important principles:

  • Access should occur only for a legitimate and important University purpose.
  • Access should be authorized by an appropriate and accountable person.
  • In general, notice should be given when user electronic information will be or has been accessed.
  • Access should be limited to the user electronic information needed to accomplish the purpose.
  • Sufficient records should be kept to enable appropriate review of compliance with this policy.
  • Access should be subject to ongoing, independent oversight by a committee that includes faculty representation.

Read the full Harvard Gazette article.

Guidance on the “Heartbleed” Internet security vulnerability

To All SPH Faculty, Staff, and Students:

Last week, a security flaw dubbed “the Heartbleed bug” was discovered in a common Internet security protocol (OpenSSL) that protects credentials, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers. An explanation of this flaw can be found on the Harvard Information Security website at: http://security.harvard.edu/heartbleed.  Harvard IT professionals across the University, and our own server team, web team, and Andy Ross our security manager, acted quickly to assess and patch any websites or applications that may have been vulnerable.  The Harvard PIN system and other enterprise applications were not affected as a result of Heartbleed, and Harvard Information Security currently has no indication that any information has been compromised.

Although there is a low risk that your Harvard account credentials were compromised, you are at greater risk if you use the same password for your Harvard accounts as for your personal accounts, such as personal email, social media, and other websites. We strongly recommend that you change your Harvard password immediately if you have also used it for external non-Harvard accounts.   Furthermore, it is important to not use the same password for Harvard and personal accounts going forward. It is always good practice to periodically change all your account passwords, and this may be a good opportunity to refresh your Harvard passwords even if you believe you are at low risk of being affected by Heartbleed.

You can find full instructions on how to change your Harvard passwords on our I/T Dept. website at: http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic731455.files/password_information_41414.pdf.  If you have an SPH encrypted laptop,  pay close attention to the instructions under section 2.2 and 2.3.   Also, BEFORE changing your OUTLOOK Email password (see section 2.5), be sure to turn off all your portable devices (iPhone/iPad/Android/Tablet), to avoid your email getting locked out on that device.

If you have any questions or concerns about this security issue or need assistance to change your passwords, please contact the Helpdesk at 617-432-HELP or [email protected]  (Mon-Fri: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.)

Taso Markatos
CIO, SPH I/T Dept.

Outlook email maintenance window on Thursday, January 9

On Thursday, January 9, from 4:00 AM to 7:00 AM, Harvard University Information Technology will be performing monthly maintenance on Outlook/Exchange system (ICEMail) that will impact faculty and staff email services at HSPH.

This monthly patching window will be utilized to apply a set of security patches. During the scheduled maintenance window users may experience delays in email delivery or receipt, disconnection or possible unavailability of services. Every effort will be made to keep these disruptions brief. This maintenance work will not result in lost information or email messages.

This maintenance window will not impact HSPH student email on GMAIL.

Fraud/Phishing alert from Bank of America

Bank of America has contacted Harvard University to make us aware of a recent email scam that has affected the University of Michigan and two local schools. The emails will appear to come from an official University department with a link asking employees to either confirm their login information or update their payroll or Open Enrollment benefits. If employees enter their data, it is captured by the perpetrators of the fraud. Once that credential data is captured, the information may then be used to change direct deposit information.

As always, please be suspicious of any link in email. If asked to log in to PeopleSoft or another sensitive system, do not follow the link. Instead, enter the URL directly into your web browser, or connect via a trusted source such as harvie.harvard.edu.

If you suspect that you are the victim of a fraudulent email, please contact the HSPH Helpdesk for support.

Thank you

ICEmail Scheduled Maintenance on Thursday, August 1, 2013

ms-outlookUDPATE: All updates were successful and systems are fully operational.

On Thursday, August 1, 2013 from 4:00 am to 7:00 am, Harvard University Information Technology will be performing routine maintenance to the Outlook/Exchange ICEmail email system.

During the maintenance window, users may experience delays in email delivery or receipt, disconnection or possible unavailability of services.  Every effort will be made to keep these disruptions brief.  This maintenance work will not result in lost information or email messages.

This maintenance window does not impact student GMAIL services.

Email Service Interruption on Mac Computers

UPDATE 2:40 PM, July 11

We have been informed by HUIT that the Outlook Email issue has been resolved. The issue was caused by a bad software update sent out by Microsoft. HUIT worked with Microsoft to fix this.

Please contact us if you are still experiencing any problems connecting with Outlook 2011 for Mac, MacMail or the Outlook Web Access.

Again, we apologize for the issues over the last 2 days.

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UPDATE 10:30 AM, July 11

The University is still experiencing issues with the Outlook Email system, it is primarily affecting Apple users and Outlook Web Access users. We are in constant communication with HUIT on a resolution for this situation.  HUIT is in constant communication with Microsoft to resolve this issue.

We would ask that Apple users  who use the Outlook 2011 client or MacMail to use the Outlook Web Access at http://icemail.harvard.edu to access their email, it is running slowly but it will connect and allow you to use your email.

We will send out further communications as we get more information on the situation. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may be causing.

Thank You,
IT Helpdesk

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UPDATE 9:00 AM, July 11: The issue persists.  HUIT engineers continue to work on the issue.

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INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT, 10:00 AM, July 10

Beginning at approximately 9:40 am on July 10, 2013, the Harvard University ICEMail system began experiencing issues with MAC Outlook connections.  Additionally, the Outlook Web Access has been periodically slow for HSPH community members.

Univerisity engineers are working with Microsoft on resolving the issue.  We will update the community as soon as we have more information

Groupwise Shutdown

We are beginning to disable Groupwise, our former email and calendar platform,  as part of the shutdown process.  If you are still using Groupwise, please contact the Helpdesk at 432-HELP immediately for migration information.

In 2012, all faculty and staff were migrated from Groupwise to Microsoft Outlook/Exchange from January through June.  In the fall, all students were migrated from Groupwise to Gmail.

ms-outlook

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