[CED/CD/EAT] UITS Centralization - Update

[Rahr, Matt - (rahr)]

Greetings Everyone,

I apologize for the delay in sending an update regarding the centralization of IT services from UITS (see attachment #1). I hoped to have more concrete information, but after three weeks of several formal Zoom meetings with CIO Barry Brummund and informal back-channel conversations with UITS leadership, I believe we have as much information as UITS can offer, which still leaves us with several unanswered questions and scenarios. The services are:


  *   Secure Device Procurement and Software Management (Technology Lifecycle Care)
  *   Secure Network Management (Wired Network Registration)
  *   Secure Server Management (Managed Cloud Services)

CIO Brummund has given this directive to several audiences. The rationale is a bit disjointed, but here are the high-level bullet points.

  *   As an Institution, we have failed ABOR IT Security Audits
  *   We have not achieved 100% IT Security Awareness Training
  *   ABOR  In-Person Audits of Departmental IT at UAPD, Central HR, and RII have all failed
  *   Why? Departmental IT is understaffed; therefore...
  *   UITS will take over these IT Services.
  *   You can view a recording of his presentation here<https://arizona.zoom.us/rec/share/-7MiIGDiiNCO7oTNnABicW5RdezkHKH-CrV7vYY-LSqGC-ifHKH2FiHv9X0GKfsL.yyJncortQeCf1A13?startTime=1665502550000>.

Some of these services look good on paper and may benefit units on an as-needed basis. However, a mandatory one-size top-down model, especially in research computing environments, may be cost-prohibitive and/or stifle future innovation.

The CIO also points out that Deans, Directors, and UHs will continue to have the authority to staff/fund departmental IT. UITS will not take over current IT staffing, alter reporting lines away from Units, etc. Several UITS leaders say their mandatory services are at a foundational level so that departmental IT will have more time to focus on tailored services. Staffing at the Unit level is valued, but that is ultimately decided by Deans/SVPs/Directors/Department Heads.

I have written up a one-page summary (attachments #2-4) for each of the three mandatory services from UITS, which includes elements that are out-of-scope, and concerns/unknowns that are shared by myself, ALVSCE IT, and my peers at other Colleges and Business Affairs Units (as of 10/25/22).

As I see it, our departmental IT staff will be needed now, more than ever, to help deliver IT solutions within these mandatory services. Barry wants ALVSCE IT to deliver a migration plan from each department by Feb 24. In the coming weeks, I will meet with computational instructors, research labs, and Department Heads/Directors, and their IT Professionals to gather user stories on how these mandatory services may affect operational continuity. I encourage you to share this with your faculty and am happy to attend future faculty/staff meetings. I also hope that, in time, UITS acknowledges exceptions and gray areas where their services can be voluntary and/or remain in-house, within proximity to the domain experts.

Thanks,
Matt

[The University of Arizona block 'A' logo.]
Matt Rahr
Director, Cyber & Information Technologies
Division of Agriculture, Life & Veterinary Sciences and Cooperative Extension
THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

Forbes Building, 230
1140 E South Campus Dr | Tucson, AZ 85721
Office: 520-621-1212
rahr at ag.arizona.edu<mailto:rahr at ag.arizona.edu>

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From: Chief Information Office <Cio at comms.arizona.edu>
Subject: Accelerating Secure IT Services for Campus Units
Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2022 19:19:45 +0000
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