|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dear Reader,
The use of external cloud services has helped us in many ways to cope with the difficult work situation during the coronavirus pandemic. However, the cloud will not disappear after the coronavirus crisis. That's why we created the Cloud Service Center, which helps ETH members to use the cloud correctly and provides the most popular cloud services in a secure, data protection-compliant manner. To this end, we have also clarified the framework conditions, which must be taken into account when using external clouds, with ETH Legal Office and the CISO (Chief Information Security Officer), among others. The use of internal clouds is of course also on the rise, such as for data backups for mobile devices.
ETH Zurich's steady growth, the development of the cloud, growing demands on IT security, the retirement of several ITS managers in the coming years, and several other reasons make it necessary for ITS to rethink its structures. We will therefore start 2022 with a new organisation, which we will define further during the course of the year.
Read up on these topics and some others in the last inside|out of this year. A year that was somewhat slower for many due to the pandemic, but which brought an unexpected acceleration in many areas for ITS.
Warm regards,
Dr Rui Brandao
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Jump-start into the Cloud – mind the risks, play it safe: The experts Aires Marques, Fabio Consani, Apon Dunkl and Roger Schlumpf get started. |
Off to the cloud - with us! |
After years of uncertainty regarding "cloud usage at the ETH Zurich", various IT policies and guidelines at ETH have been updated in recent months. This will generally enable the conscious and controlled use of cloud services. Nevertheless, there are still many uncertainties and new risks. That's why we launched the Cloud Service Center (CSC) this year. It is made up of a team of proven experts and has the task of supporting the widespread use of cloud services.
The cloud is always and everywhere, it's on everyone's lips, but at the same time difficult to grasp. The CSC aims to support all interested ETH units when it comes to using cloud-based IT resources. It communicates, advises and helps with the first steps while trying to ensure that the initial experience does not end in a "data MCA".
To do this, the CSC uses existing technologies, such as internal identity and access management, to ensure the integrity of cloud identities, the IT Shop for handling the required licences and their lifecycles, and the internal ERP for processing invoices in compliance with financial regulations.
We also support ETH units in setting up applications and other services that are operated in the cloud and help to remove obstacles. We offer assistance in the development of deployment scenarios, authorisation systems and provide support with cost controls. In doing so, we place particular emphasis on the protection of ETH identities in the various clouds. More information can be found in the ITS Blog.
Fabio Consani, Group Manager Portfolio Management and Head of Cloud Service (ITS PPF) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| New rules: Cloud usage & classification |
| In December 2021, a new classification system for ETH Zurich, as well as new rules for using external cloud services for confidential information, will enter into force. This was made possible through a revision of the "Information Security" directive and the introduction of the "IT Guidelines and IT Basic Protection Requirements". For further information on cloud usage and classification, please check out the links provided in the article. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| "Trust us": Data from the mobile devices is "captured" via a web interface and backed up at ETH Zurich. Ingo Altenburger, Thomas Schler, Dr. Tilo Steiger (all ITS) and Dr. Jean-Claude Eischen (D-HEST), from left. |
Mobile working - but with a data backup |
An important part of our work at ETH Zurich results in electronic data, which is often mobile data produced while on the go. The new "Clientbackup" (CBK) service provides the option of an automatic on-premise data backup of mobile devices. This is completed over the Internet via a very easy to use web interface. It complements the "Data Backup & Restore" service that has been in place since 1992, which is provided centrally. Restoring the backed up data is also simple and intuitive to use. CBK is aimed at researchers, teachers and employees of ETH Zuich.
The selective backup of data on end devices offers ETH employees, who are frequently on the move with mobile end devices and thereby generate valuable data on these devices, a data backup for business-relevant data. The endpoints are defined as mobile devices such as laptops and must be connected to the Internet to back up the data. A connection to the ETH network is not required (no VPN). The data backup of special test equipment in the field is also conceivable. |
| • | | Backed-up data is stored at ETH (on-premise) |
| • | | Web interface for checking data backups of the end devices |
| • | | Restores of the backed up data if the end device or data is lost |
| • | | Delegation of data restore activities to the IT manager of the organisational unit. |
|
The service, which was developed in cooperation with ISG D-HEST, requires a licence and is subject to an incentive tax (see also IT Service catalogue). The IT managers of the respective organisational units will be happy to provide advice.
Dr. Tilo Steiger, Group Manager Storage Services (ITS SD) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Decommissioning of CIFEX |
| Do you want to send large files securely? The CIFEX service was switched off on 1 December, 2021. Fortunately, there are some good alternatives for exchanging large files. Read more about it in the ITS Blog. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dr. Rui Brandao, Director of IT Services on the way into a new IT Services era, aligned with the new needs of ETH Zurich and IT users |
New organisational structure from 2022 |
Digitisation, growing demands and increasing IT security requirements are challenging the internal IT of the ETH Zurich. IT Services (ITS) is therefore restructuring its organisation to meet these challenges. The new structure will, on the one hand, bring ITS closer to the needs of ETH members and, on the other hand, speed up development and decision-making processes.
IT permeates our professional life at ETH Zurich in almost every area. With the continuous expansion of its systems and services, ITS has successfully supported the digitisation of ETH Zurich for many years. With the technical possibilities of networking systems and the increase in data volumes, the demands on ITS are also growing, not least in relation to IT security. What's more, a digitisation push can also be expected from "rETHink", which will bring many new requirements to ITS.
In order to meet these requirements, shorten decision-making paths and, at the same time, be closer to the needs of the users, ITS is restructuring its organisation at the beginning of 2022. Read more about the new structure and set-up on the ITS Blog.
Dr Rui Brandao, Director IT Services |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Awareness to prevent cyber-fraud |
| Together with Empa and PSI, an awareness measure to combat cyber attacks was launched in September 2021 at ETH Zurich. For further information on this measure and tips on how to recognise cyberattacks, especially CEO fraud attacks, please check out the following article. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Who’s familiar with this IT Find? |
Join us on a journey through time. This memory board arrived at IT Services. Take a guess and discover more about this IT Find.
Question: What was the biggest disadvantage of core memory? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Review Zukunftstag 2021 at ETH Zurich |
| The children's eyes lit up and were eager to learn during the ITS programme "We are programming our own 2D game". |
|
|
|
|
|
