IT Support
Changes to Single sign-on
As part of the project to implement Multi-Factor authentication (MFA) to your Oxford SSO account, there are some changes planned for this month to the web pages that are used during SSO login.
One week until the launch of the new Oxford branded Single Sign-On login screen
10 November: the current Webauth login page where you sign in with your SSO is going to be replaced with an Oxford-branded Microsoft login page
10 November: The University will be disabling the KMSI option, which means you will be logged out of your browser session and required to log in again on 11 November
Note: the 17th November date above is for early adopters and IT users only! For details of when your account will be changing to require MFA please see the project timeline.
Oxford-branded Single Sign-On page
The current Webauth login page where you sign in with your SSO is going to be replaced with an Oxford-branded Microsoft login page on 10 November. This is the first stage of a major effort to improve login security.
Your password will remain the same but your username will need be entered as follows: abcd1234@OX.AC.UK (where abcd1234 is your existing SSO username)
Keep Me Signed In (KMSI)
Currently staff and students are not required to authenticate for long periods of time (90 days), when logging in to Office 365 (Nexus 365) services. This is due to the “keep me signed in” (KMSI) setting which allows long term browser sessions.
Accessing University services without re-authentication for a long time carries a significant risk; your account might get compromised and someone might gain unauthorised access to those services.
As a result, the University will be disabling the KMSI option, bringing Office 365 in line with the current SSO authentication period of 11 hours. This means you will be logged out of your browser session on 10 November and required to log in again on 11 November.
Further information and supporting guidance will shortly be available from the project webpage.
Not seeing the new SSO page?
If you can’t see the new login page the first time you login, you may have to clear the cookies from your browser related to microsoft.com and office.com. There are instructions for doing so on the IT Services website.
Register an alternative (non-University) email address in case you are inadvertently locked out of your University email account and need to request a password, or second factor reset.
Read the guides showing you how to set up each authentication method on the project page under the ‘Help and Guidance’ section.
PHC IT Team Updates
As we’re now heading into the Michaelmas term, the IT team have seen a marked increase in calls and requests through to our helpdesk. In order to try and manage these requests and prioritise tickets please follow the guidance below.
Contacting the IT Helpdesk
When contacting the IT helpdesk please ensure you send a direct email to ithelp@medsci.ox.ac.uk as this ensures your request will be received and processed by the first line team in MSD.
Please also remember not to include other colleagues email addresses as when people respond to these emails via ‘Reply All’ we get multiple tickets logged in the helpdesk which slows down our ability to respond to you.
When replying to a ticket, or chasing progress, please ensure you reply using the latest email you received regarding your request. This ensures that the ticket number is present in the Subject line and makes sure your ticket is correctly updated. Please try to avoid sending a new email to the helpdesk to chase up a current request as this also generates a new ticket which we have to manage separately.
Mailbox access changes
If you are a mailbox owner you can request additional users to be added to your mailboxes by completing the form available on the central IT system.
If you need access to a mailbox please try to contact the mailbox owner if you know who this is. If you’re not sure then please send a request to the PHC IT team via the helpdesk (see above).
Additions and changes to shared drive access
If you need to request the addition of staff to the various shared drives please ensure you use the correct form. For adding or removing access please use SOP_MSDIT_005_doc01 and send this to the helpdesk as above.
If you need a new folder creating please use SOP_MSDIT_005_doc6 and send the completed form to the MSD helpdesk as above.
For more information about the shared drive service please see the main MSD pages for the shared storage service.
MSD VPN Service
There has been a recent change with the MSD VPN service. Please make sure you update your connection to use the new address as follows: vpn.medsci.ox.ac.uk
- 10 November: the current Webauth login page where you sign in with your SSO is going to be replaced with an Oxford-branded Microsoft login page
- 10 November: The University will be disabling the KMSI option, which means you will be logged out of your browser session and required to log in again on 11 November
Remote Working
The following resource and guides are available to support you with your home working requirements
GENERAL GUIDES FOR WORKING FROM HOME
Remote working guide for staff
Information Governance overview for working from home and presentation on safe working at home
Setting up virtual meetings and seminars (Zoom, Teams and Replay)
Central IT Services home working site
USING YOUR WORK PHONE
Using Chorus on your smartphone (Android)
Using Chorus on your smartphone (iPhone)
Using Chorus on your Windows PC
USING YOUR PC
Accessing shared folders via the VPN on your MSD laptop (help sheet here)
Using Nexus365 OneDrive for document sharing
Synchronizing Teams files to your PC
Using your own PC or Mac
To work from home using your own device, please install Sophos Anti-Virus and the VPN Client, which can be downloaded here. Please also ensure all the latest Windows Updates are installed.
Central IT
IT Services provide a full range of services including help and advice, training, networks and infrastructure. They will help you get started, manage your accounts and access Nexus.
MSD IT
MSD IT Services provide IT services, support and advise to departments in the Medical Sciences Division.
For support, contact ithelp@medsci.ox.ac.uk
Printing
The department is now offering a follow_me queue service across all our buildings. By printing to the PCHS_Xerox_FollowMe queue you are then able to collect your printout at any of the Xerox machines throughout the department.
For more information see the following help sheets
Audio visual equipment
The meeting rooms in Eagle House and Gibson have been upgraded with new 4K screens and local PC's in each room. These local PC's allow you to log onto the network to access files and use internet based conferencing services such as Zoom and MS Teams.
The following help sheets are available
Supporting your work:
Skype and WebEx (Requires SSO log-in)
Contact:
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John Briggs
Head of IT and Information Governance
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