Latest News

2023 Summer Institute on Teaching and Technology (SITT) is one for the books!

An increase in attendees, participation, and engagement were hallmarks of this year’s Summer Institute on Teaching and Technology (SITT), held virtually over the course of two days on September 14 and 15, 2023. The annual event showcased how instructors are using technology in creative ways to help students succeed. This year, presenters honed in on key issues facing instructors—improving classroom communication and collaboration.

Innovative and Collaborative: 3D-Printed Solution Enhances Classroom Accessibility

In many classrooms, instructors use touchscreen tablets to operate overhead projectors. It's part of a host of technology offered to instructors to enhance lessons at UC Davis. But while setting up for a history class this summer, UC Davis alum and guest instructor, Seth Clark quickly realized he was going to have difficulty using the touchscreens due to his sight impairment.

“When I touched it, there was nothing on the tablet to indicate where the buttons were,” Clark said. “It made it impossible for me to turn on the projector.”

Demystifying the Vendor Risk Assessment Process

In order to contract with a third-party Vendor (service provider), all University of California units are required under the IS-3 Policy to complete Risk Assessments for institutional information and IT resources. At UC Davis, the Information Security Office (ISO) manages the Vendor Risk Assessment (VRA) program to guide and assist with this process, which can feel daunting, confusing, and frustrating. But what goes into a VRA and why is it so important?  

Don't Let Hackers Hook You with Phishing Scams

UC Davis has increasingly become a target of fraudulent emails, also known as phishing, in recent weeks. Here is everything you need to know about phishing scams and actions you can take to keep yourself safe.

What is phishing?

Phishing is a form of fraud that tries to trick you into providing your sensitive information, often by sending a message under the guise of a legitimate sender, such as a professor or campus staff member.

Student Job & Internship Scams: Know the Red Flags 

Members of the campus community, especially students, are reminded to keep an eye out for false jobs listings when searching for work or internship opportunities online. 

Scammers create and maintain fraudulent postings on many reputable job boards, for monetary gain, including Handshake and even networking sites like LinkedIn. While every position that is posted to Handshake is vetted, sometimes fraudulent postings make it through. 

Fall 2023: Technology News & Updates

Email is the most common vector for cyber security attacks in higher education. The average cost of a data breach in 2022 was $4.35 million and the cost only increased when fraudulent emails (or phishing attempts) were the initial attack vector.  

Most often motivated by financial gain, hackers frequently employ social engineering techniques to gain unauthorized access to data and accounts via email (“phishing”), text messaging (“smishing”), phone (“vishing”), or online services such as social networking. Click here to learn how to spot a scam.

Duo Multi-factor Authentication to End Support for Certain Operating Systems & Browsers

Starting Monday, September 18, 2023, Duo, UC Davis’ multi-factor authentication app, will no longer work on certain operating systems, browsers, and security protocols for mobile devices and desktop computers. Members of the campus community use Duo as an additional layer of protection to access email, online storage, and other technology and university services. 

Sensitive Data and AI - Guidance from UC Davis Tech Leaders

In an email to all UC Davis and UC Davis Health employees and student employees on July 25, 2023, Vice Provost for Information Technology Viji Murali and Chief Information and Digital Health Officer UC Davis Health Ashish Atreja shared the following guidance regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence tools and sensitive UC Davis systems and data. 

Information Security Symposium Tackles the Evolving Technology & Security Landscape

The 11th Information Security Symposium (ISS) was held on June 20-21, 2023, drawing nearly 400 attendees from UC campuses, UCOP, and more than 40 state agencies. While the biennial event was again conducted virtually, there was no shortage of opportunities to connect. Attendees were easily able to live chat with each other via the virtual social wall, browse sponsor booths in video rooms, and network with others through one-on-one messaging. The event was organized by an all-volunteer committee, with members primarily from UC Davis and UC Davis Health.

Storage Limit for UC Davis Google Accounts for New Students and Staff Beginning July 2023 

20 GB storage limit for new students and staff becomes effective July 15, 2023. 

Updated July 24, 2023

Previous versions of this article indicated that current students and staff had until November 15, 2023, to meet a new 20 GB storage requirement. This timeline has been altered to allow for more campus feedback. More information will follow as soon as it is available.  

How to turn on Zoom automated captioning, and why you should

In recognition of Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 18, it is timely to share tools, like Zoom automated captioning, that enhance the usability of technology for everyone. Zoom’s automated captioning feature creates instant captions during live Zoom meetings which supports accessibility for those who are deaf or have experienced hearing loss but is also helpful for those working with distractions or low-bandwidth connections.