Campus seeks a bold, new approach to IT
by david greenwald
ucla today staff
UCLA is engaged in a comprehensive review of its information technology
(IT) infrastructure with an eye toward positioning critical resources,
increasing efficiency and enhancing electronic security, as well
as saving money during a difficult budgetary period.
“The university is situated at an intersection of converging
forces that require a bold new approach to technical, organizational
and fiscal practices for information technology,” said Associate
Vice Chancellor James Davis of information technology.
The review, which is a first step in a campuswide Repositioning
IT Initiative, is intended to respond to these opportunities and
challenges.
Davis said that “new modes of collaboration and intellectual
contribution demand significantly greater access to data, facilities,
applications and resources shared across widely distributed communities
of faculty, staff and students.
“Information technology has matured, providing opportunities
for cost savings at infrastructure layers,” Davis said.
“At the same time, there are increased needs for IT resources
that enable the university’s core research and educational
objectives,” he said. “Escalating cybersecurity demands,
new regulatory mandates that underscore vulnerabilities in data
privacy and piracy, and a tight budget climate combine to put additional
pressure on existing resources.”
The Repositioning IT Initiative, sponsored by UCLA’s Information
Technology Planning Board, is aimed at addressing these issues by
examining the university’s network, data center and e-mail
services.
“What we want to do is ask the question: What is the IT infrastructure
that best supports the educational, research, administrative and
community service priorities of the university?” Davis said.
There currently are some 50 distinct e-mail systems on campus,
as well as an estimated 40 to 50 primary computer networks and security
centers that are tied into UCLA’s campus backbone. There are
at least 10 primary data centers — the rooms where servers
that host applications are located — and hundreds of smaller
departmental centers.
“With respect to security, protection of data and personal
information is a high priority that requires the campus to take
a more proactive mode,” Davis said.
The Repositioning IT Initiative challenges the current fiscal
and technical environment, seeks to reduce the number of technology
centers and examines ways to reduce electronic security vulnerabilities,
all “while preserving and supporting the distributed, entrepreneurial
culture and lifeblood of UCLA,” Davis said.
By reducing the number of technology centers, UCLA potentially
could realign millions of dollars in facilities and staff support
to maintain high quality services and increase support for core
research and instructional activities.
But, at the same time, “We want to be careful to address
specific local needs that departments might have,” Davis said.
“One size is not going to fit all.”
The first phases are under way, with the objective of reviewing
how these infrastructure services and associated resources might
be better deployed. There already is a demonstration project in
Business and Administrative Services to consolidate its multiple
e-mail systems.
A number of committees comprising academic, administrative, IT
and student members are involved directly in the review.
“The goal is to make the process as transparent and broad-based
as possible,” Davis said, noting that he already has made
a number of presentations around campus.
Information and status reports on the initiative will soon be
available at www.icompass.ucla.edu.
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