Highlighting Virginia Tech's IT Milestones
The past fiscal year was in many ways a transitional year for Virginia Tech's Division of IT, as substantial technological and business changes were implemented, new cross-cutting initiatives gained momentum, and several members of our leadership shifted into new roles. In this climate, the division achieved remarkable milestones that significantly advanced the university’s technological capabilities, learning and research support, and overall security posture. Our 2023 Annual Report highlights key achievements that can be categorized under four unifying themes: enhancing security and identity management, supporting research and academic excellence, improving the Virginia Tech experience, and advancing infrastructure and operational improvement.
Enhancing security and identity management
Significant strides were made to bolster cybersecurity across the university. The initial work to bring systems into compliance with updated security protocols began, and technologies for endpoint and data loss prevention were implemented to fortify university-owned computers and devices. Additionally, work to proactively test and strengthen our defenses against cyber threats expanded, a new 24/7 security operations center came online, and new capabilities and load testing for Single Sign-On and authentication services streamlined user access while adding greater security.
Supporting Research and Academic Excellence
To enable interdisciplinary research, the division provided cutting-edge resources including high-performance computing clusters, access to experimental licenses for wireless research, and a 3D data visualization lab. Technology services for teaching faculty were well supported through organizational changes. Additionally, the continued enhancement of the Virginia Cyber Range’s user interface and course offerings for cybersecurity education, and the advanced network and cyberinfrastructure services provided through the Mid-Atlantic Research Infrastructure Alliance both underscored our commitment to academic excellence across the Commonwealth and beyond.
Improving the Virginia Tech experience
The division worked to enhance user support through a more immersive orientation experience and expanded coverage during fall rush, ensuring seamless onboarding for students and faculty. VT Alerts enhancements improved emergency communication with updated apps and notification methods, and explored service expansions in the greater Washington, D.C. area. And the university’s success in growing alumni engagement gained national recognition, an achievement made possible through our technology and infrastructure support.
Infrastructure and Operational Improvements
The labor-intensive replacement of switches, access points, and core network infrastructure; as well as the expansion of our cellular antenna systems continually modernized the university’s capabilities. A new system for reviewing financial transactions helped to streamline the work of administrators, and a bold strategy to implement control and cost-sharing across the university’s primary productivity platforms began to build momentum towards implementation.
The variety of projects and impacts presented in this year’s annual report illustrate the way that information services have become inextricably linked with the achievement of Virginia Tech’s mission. These vital achievements highlight the dedication and expertise of the Division of IT’s employees, and our commitment to advancing Virginia Tech’s mission through innovative and secure technological solutions. This commitment continues, even when the path ahead is complex and challenging.