Catch up with colleagues over a light breakfast in the SFHB Atrium area (basement level).
CIT Annual Conference 2024
The 2024 CIT Annual Conference was held in the State Farm Hall of Business on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
Conference Schedule
Networking Breakfast
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Session #1
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Is Email Still #1 and other Burning Questions - the 2024 MISO Survey Results Revealed (SFHB 139 - CAT Auditorium)
2024 marks the fourth year for ISU with the MISO survey, gathering direct feedback from our users on their satisfaction with IT services and support. Join us for the release of this year's results, as well as what we have learned from up to four year trends from some questions. Did email come out #1 in satisfaction for the fourth year in a row? How did users respond to the new questions asking about their usage and sentiment around AI? How does satisfaction with Canvas compare to satisfaction with ReggieNet? These questions and more will be addressed in the session, as well as some interactive discussion of what the results mean and what we should be doing with them.
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Carla Birckelbaw
Carla is the Executive Director of Client Services in the Office of Technology Solutions, responsible for the Technology Support Center, Knowledge, Incident Coordinator, and Endpoint Support teams, along with a list of side projects that includes measuring IT customer satisfaction.
Passwords and Secrets - Where We are and Where We're Going (SFHB 147)
At the 2023 CIT Annual Conference the Cloud Compute and Authentication team conducted a community discussion about secrets management in a digital world. Since that time they opened an internal project to evaluate our current "Secrets" practices at ISU, evaluate the concept and interrelatedness of "Passwords" and "Secrets", and determined what the vision for the future of these items are at the university. The goal is to present this information from infrastructure's perspective, and share what we have learned during this process about Passwords, Secrets, and Privileged Access Management (PAM).
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Skylier Wallace
Skylier has been with ISU for approximately six years now, serving in both employee and student roles. His employment journey began in the Technology Solutions department as an Endpoint Support student worker during his freshman year. Skylier later joined the College of Education tech team, working full time before transitioning to his current role as a System Administrator with the Cloud Compute and Authentication team in November 2022. He graduated in May 2024 with a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and is now actively pursuing a Master’s degree in Technology Project Management.
A Look Inside ISU's Security Operations Center (SFHB 133)
Illinois State University founded a Security Operations Center (SOC) three years ago, and we have matured our scope and processes in the time since. As the SOC is an operational black box to many on campus, this session will focus on the Security Operations Center mission, scope, decision making, alerting, and playbooks, with the goal of providing insight into our operations and educating the campus community on our services.
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Joey Brown
Joey Brown , Illinois State University's Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (DCISO), is a veteran security professional with decades of experience in government and commercial information systems. As DCISO, he leads a team of dedicated professionals who conduct risk assessments, manage security incidents, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Joey wants everyone at ISU to be safe, secure, and to stop clicking on every link they see. -
Matt Lindstrom
Matt Lindstrom is an accomplished Information Security Operations Manager within the Information Security Office (ISO). With a strong background in cybersecurity, he leads the University's Security Operations Center (SOC) and matures our collective security posture. Matt is tasked with the development, implementation, and maintenance of information security controls, reporting, and solutions in alignment with the institution's Information Security Program. -
Chase Thomlinson
Chase Tomlinson is the longest-serving current student in the Information Security Office (ISO), where he has been working for the past three years. Chase is currently studying cybersecurity and is expected to graduate in the winter of 2024. In his role at the Security Operations Center, Chase assists the team by managing and reviewing security incidents and contributing to the University’s efforts to maintain a secure information systems environment.
Strategic Benefits of Managed Security Baseline Configurations (SFHB 131)
In this session, we will explore the strategic benefits of adopting managed security baseline configurations to enhance our organization's security posture. By implementing standardized security baselines, we can significantly reduce vulnerabilities, ensure consistency, and build a robust defense against potential threats. We will discuss the concept of managed security baselines, highlighting their importance in establishing a strong and uniform security framework. This approach simplifies the management of security configurations, allowing for more effective and efficient protection across various systems and environments within our decentralized teams.
To illustrate the impact of adopting this strategy, we will present a comparative assessment of a standard Windows 11 endpoint configured with current practices versus one configured with a comprehensive baseline. This demonstration will showcase the differences in exposure and vulnerability, providing a compelling argument for the adoption of managed security baselines. Towards the end of the session, we will introduce valuable resources such as the CIS Benchmarks and Build Kits. These community-managed tools offer pre-configured and automated deployment options, making the implementation of security baselines straightforward and efficient. Join us to learn how embracing a managed security baseline configuration strategy can fortify our defenses and streamline our security operations across the organization.
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Dan Taube
Dan is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Illinois State University, a position he has held since 2020. With extensive experience in management, technical, and support roles since 2008, Dan brings a wealth of knowledge and practical expertise to his role. Before joining the university, Dan worked as a freelance web developer and IT administrator for small businesses, which honed his skills in versatile and real-world IT challenges. Growing up on the southside of Chicago as the youngest of five in a single-mother household, Dan has always valued determination, diligence, and the pursuit of continuous education. As a strong advocate for strategic security practices, Dan is passionate about the benefits of adopting managed security baseline configurations. He believes in leveraging community-managed resources to achieve a streamlined and effective security posture. Through his leadership, Dan aims to inspire and guide decentralized teams and individuals within the organization toward proactive and resilient.
Break
9:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Break! Take a few minutes to recharge between sessions. Any goodies left over from the Networking Breakfast can be found in the Atrium.
Keynote Address
9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
ISU's 21st President, Dr. Aondover Tarhule, will present the Keynote Address. The Keynote Address is held in SFHB 139 - CAT Auditorium.
Break
10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Break! Take a few minutes to recharge between sessions.
IT News
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
IT News features the latest announcements and news from campus technology leaders. The annual CIT MVP Award recipient will also be announced during IT News. This award recognizes a full-time IT staff member who has made outstanding contributions to the support of faculty, staff, students, and operations over the previous fiscal year. IT News is held in SFHB 139 - CAT Auditorium.
Lunch
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Pick up your Avanti's lunch outside the Caterpillar Auditorium and then join your colleagues in the basement Atrium. Vegetarian choices will be available, and gluten-free options are available as well.
Session #2
1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Ctrl+Alt+Del-eting Distractions: Dad's Guide to Focused IT Work (SFHB 133)
Our work has distractions that come at us from way too many directions. We are incredibly easy to find for a quick question, a touchpoint, or a chat. This session will review ways that have been used by IT staff to reduce distractions, creating more focused time so that we can complete a thought for increased productivity and less stress.
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Craig Jackson
Craig Jackson has worked at ISU for more than 8 years and been in IT for more than 20 - he's old. His current role includes working with a wonderful team of IT professionals who are responsible for the technology infrastructure on campus, and who have a new, major focus on research computing resources for the campus community (HPC, Research Network, CubeSat Ground Stations, Private 5G, and more).
Institution-Wide Initiatives and Projects: Lessons Learned from an LMS Migration (SFHB 139 - CAT Auditorium)
During 2022-23, ISU implemented a successful learning management system transition from Sakai (ReggieNet) to Instructure Canvas. This initiative involved individuals and groups from across this institution. What were the contributors to the project’s success and what were the challenges and pain points? Come and see what lessons and applications can be applied to those who lead or participate in technology initiatives and projects that go beyond a single department or unit.
Objectives: As a result of this session, participants will be able to:
• Determine what large-scale technology initiatives and projects need to be successful
• Discuss the challenges of large-scale technology initiatives
• Discuss the lessons learned and implications of large-scale technology initiatives and projects for I. T. professionals, institutional leaders, and policy, and project management personnel
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Christopher Brandt
Christopher Brandt manages the Technology Solutions Knowledge and Training team at Illinois State University. During the Canvas implementation project, he also served as the manager of the Technology Support Center, which provides front-line technology support to the university. -
Dr. Anthony Pina
Dr. Anthony Piña is ISU’s Chief Online Learning Officer, responsible for formulating and implementing the university’s strategies for online and extended education. He has led large-scale educational technology initiatives at private and state higher education institutions in three states. Tony has published 8 books and 100+ academic publications and has been a consultant to Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, local businesses, civic groups, and numerous educational institutions. -
Todd Smoak
Todd Smoak is the Executive Director of Application Services in ISU’s Office of Technology Solutions. He oversees many of the University’s core academic and administrative software systems that provide services such as learning management, registration, finances, human resources, and system integrations. Todd serves on the Board of Directors of the Higher Education User Group (HEUG), a global user community of more than 1,000 institutions in 48 countries who wish to maximize their ROI in human capital, business processes, and technologies.
You’ve Been Super Helpful! Social Engineering and Customer Support (SFHB 131)
Social engineering attacks targeting technical support and troubleshooting personnel are escalating. This presentation discusses the fundamental principles of social engineering while specifically addressing their use against tech support professionals, along with strategies for thwarting such attacks.
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Joey Brown
Joey Brown, Illinois State University's Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (DCISO), is a veteran security professional with decades of experience in government and commercial information systems. As DCISO, he leads a team of dedicated professionals who conduct risk assessments, manage security incidents, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Joey wants everyone at ISU to be safe, secure, and to stop clicking on every link they see.
Recognizing Opportunities to Unlock Career Pathways (SFHB 147)
Opportunities for personal and professional growth are abundant but often overlooked. This session will empower individuals to identify and seize these opportunities, turning everyday tasks and challenges into stepping stones for career advancement. Through real-life examples and practical strategies, attendees will learn how to navigate their career paths, build essential skills, and position themselves for future opportunities. Join us to discover how to transform your role into a dynamic journey of continuous growth and success.
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Dan Taube
Dan Taube is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Illinois State University, a role they have held since 2020. With a career spanning over a decade, Dan has accumulated extensive experience in various management, technical, and support roles since 2008. Prior to joining the university, they worked as a freelance web developer and IT administrator for small businesses, showcasing their versatility and technical expertise. Starting their professional journey early, Dan took on jobs as a custodian at their high school to pay for tuition and as a freelance house painter, demonstrating a strong work ethic and determination from a young age. Raised on the southside of Chicago as the youngest of five in a single-mother household, Dan understands the value of hard work, diligence, and seizing opportunities for growth. Passionate about professional development, Dan believes in the power of recognizing and leveraging opportunities for personal and career advancement. They value determination, diligence, and the continuous pursuit of knowledge and education. In their current role, they are committed to fostering a culture of growth and success, helping others to unlock their potential and achieve their career goals.
Break
1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Break! Take a few minutes to recharge between sessions.
Session #3
1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Utilizing Infrastructure and Configuration as Code in IT Applications & Services (SFHB 133)
Discover the power of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) & Configuration as Code (CaC) using Ansible in during this session. Gain insights into automating and managing your IT systems and applications efficiently with Ansible’s automation capabilities. This session will guide you through:
- An introduction to Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and Configuration as Code (CaC) and their importance in IT environments.
- An introduction to Ansible and its role in automating infrastructure and configuration management.
- A walkthrough on developing Configuration as Code Ansible content for an application on a Windows Server.
- Best practices for organizing and managing Ansible code per lifecycle environments (Dev > Test > Production).
- Real examples and small demos on Ansible implementations currently in practice
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Jim Johnson
Jim is the Lead Configuration Management Engineer in Technology Solutions on the Cloud, Compute, & Authentication (CCA) team. He is responsible for designing, configuring, and managing Windows and Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating environments, managing campus-wide configuration management toolsets (ie. Ansible Automation Platform, Microsoft Configuration Manager, Microsoft Intune, Jamf Pro) and develops Ansible playbooks to create and maintain infrastructure as code.
Grouper - What is it? How Does it Help Me? (SFHB 139 - CAT Auditorium)
This is a high level introduction to Grouper, what it is, how it is being used on campus, and some highlights about how it will be used in the future. We will also be diving into some of the cool things that we have been working on with it: auto curation of groups, global reference groups, secondary account auto provisioning and deprovisioning (also legacy account cleanup), "Group-of-groups" functionality, different target directories, affiliation role usage, and more.
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Ben Rappleyea
Ben Rappleyea is the manager of the Office of Identity and Access Management team. He has been working with this team since 2018 and is always excited to hear about things that people are wanting to do and to see how the OIAM team might be able to help.
🌟 Discover the Power of Positivity (SFHB 147)
Join our 60-minute session to explore how positive psychology, positive leadership styles, and a positive organizational culture lead to positive organizational change (Moore, 2019). Learn about positive psychology principles like HERO, POP, and POS and how they promote resilience and well-being. Dive into positive leadership styles and uncover strategies to inspire teams and foster innovation. Explore the learning culture and Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and discover how they fuel positive change. Gain insights into managing personal and organizational change, overcoming resistance, and embracing continuous improvement. Lastly, we'll address change fatigue and stress. We will include practical tips for identifying and minimizing stress using Employee Assistance Program resources. Don't miss out—register today and unlock the power of positivity for your organization!
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Dr Stephen B. Moore
Dr. Stephen B. Moore is a Management Practitioner with over thirty years of experience in the IT industry, currently serving as an ITSM Frontend Developer at the Office of Technology Solutions, Illinois State University. Following military service, Dr. Moore pursued an academic journey, completing his undergraduate studies at Southern Illinois University before earning an MBA and later a Doctor of Management degree from Colorado Technical University. His commitment to academic and professional excellence is underscored by certifications from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and iPEC as a Life Transition & Leadership Coach, along with recognition as an Appreciative Inquiry Practitioner from the David L. Cooperrider Center at Champlain College. Dr. Moore's expertise in IT Service Management has led to significant contributions throughout his career, including positions at Microsoft Corporation and collaborations with clients such as the US Army, State Farm Insurance, John Deere, ADM, and Caterpillar. Coupling his work in ITSM with principles of positive psychology, Stephen is committed to developing authentic leaders and promoting positive organizational change.
Break
2:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Connect with colleagues over a mid-afternoon snack in the SFHB Atrium area (basement level).
Session #4
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Research Update - What, How, and New Stuff to Support Research Faculty (SFHB 147)
Come hear about the current efforts of RCAB (Research Computing Advisory Board) and presentations from individual faculty about the research they are doing on campus. The session will also include an interactive panel discussion about what faculty researchers need from IT to assist their work.
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Craig Jackson
Craig Jackson has worked at ISU for more than 8 years and been in IT for more than 20 - he's old. His current role includes working with a wonderful team of IT professionals who are responsible for the technology infrastructure on campus, and who have a new, major focus on research computing resources for the campus community (HPC, Research Network, CubeSat Ground Stations, Private 5G, and more). -
Dr. Emily Jones
Dr. Jones teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Physical Education Teacher Education. Dr. Jones’ current lines of research include issues related to: (a) school- and community-based physical activity programs and initiatives and (b) integration of instructional technology in physical education teacher planning, delivery, assessment, and advocacy efforts. Dr. Jones has been a key team member on 17 grants or research contract proposals seeking over $4 million (14 as Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator). As a Provost Fellow, Dr. Jones will focus on adult learners and online education. Dr. Jones will focus on structural and systems-level needs and opportunities for Illinois State University to expand online offerings for traditional and non-traditional learners. -
Dr Roy Magnuson
The music of Roy David Magnuson has been performed throughout the United States and Europe at venues such as the World Saxophone Congress, WASBE, CBDNA, the RED NOTE New Music Festival, and the Robb Composers’ Symposium. Roy is also the creator of the virtual reality composition software solsticeVR, the conducting software RibbonsVR, and is a member of ASCAP. His music is recorded on Albany Records and NAXOS. As a Provost Fellow , Dr. Magnuson will assist the Division of Academic Affairs in understanding and responding to emerging disruptive technologies like AI, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Spatial Computing. The focus will be on understanding what these technologies are, as well as what they are not, while prioritizing technological literacy, pedagogy, ethics, student success, research, and creative scholarship, and preserving the university's core values. -
Dr. Sumesh Philip
Dr. Philip received his B.Tech. degree in electronics and communication engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Calicut, India, in 1997 and the M.S. and Ph.D degrees in Computer Science and Engineering from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, Amherst, in 2003 and 2005, respectively. He has worked at Telcordia Technologies, Nokia Research, and Bell Laboratories, investigating issues related to wireless networks. Sumesh is currently an Associate Professor teaching courses in the Cybersecurity major at the School of Information Technology at Illinois State University. He was previously an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Sciences at Western Illinois University. His research interests lie in the intersection of Cybersecurity, AI/ML and the Internet Of Things (IoT) paradigm. Sumesh welcome collaborations from researchers in related areas and highly motivated graduate/undergraduate students.
Service Now: A First Look At Our Future ITSM (SFHB 139 - CAT Auditorium)
Come see a demo of our future IT Service Management platform, Service Now! We will be focusing on the user experience - walking through dashboards, service request forms, and the customer portal to provide a look into how these processes will flow when we transition from Cherwell. There will also be time for Q&A, gathering your initial reactions to the out-of-the-box configuration, processes, and any other concerns we may need to address as the implementation project kicks off this Fall.
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Tyler Piper
Tyler Piper is the Interim Director of IT Service Management within the Office of Technology Solutions - Client Services department. Tyler began his career with Illinois State University in 2014 as a Team Lead in the Technology Support Center. Shortly after, he was asked to participate in the implementation of Cherwell due to his experience with user support, mature IT Service Management processes, and knowledge of ITIL practices. Since then, Tyler has continuously accepted more responsibility of the Cherwell ITSM environment including acting as service owner of the product and chair of the ITSM Advisory Group. Recently, he has been tasked with leading the effort to replace our current IT Service Management (ITSM) platform with a new ITSM/ESM product, Service Now.
Beginner’s Guide to Microsoft Intune (SFHB 130)
Wanting to get started with Microsoft Intune? This session will provide IT support teams an introduction to Microsoft Intune, a cloud-based device management service. In this session, you will learn:
- The fundamentals of Microsoft Intune.
- How to enroll your devices into Intune.
- How to apply device configurations and deploy applications.
- How to utilize Microsoft Entra ID for device security groups.
- What is Co-management with Microsoft Configuration Manager?
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Jim Johnson
Jim is the Lead Configuration Management Engineer in Technology Solutions on the Cloud, Compute, & Authentication (CCA) team. He is responsible for designing, configuring, and managing Windows and Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating environments, managing campus-wide configuration management toolsets (ie. Ansible Automation Platform, Microsoft Configuration Manager, Microsoft Intune, Jamf Pro) and develops Ansible playbooks to create and maintain infrastructure as code.
Why isn't there Surround Sound? Why don't you use Curved Displays? Why do we use Carts? Why is a Classroom Offline for a Semester when it's Getting Updated? (SFHB 133)
Ever wonder why LSAVT does what they do? Now's your chance to ask! In this session, the audience is encouraged to come at us with all the enterprise audio-visual questions you've ever wanted to ask. A panel of LSAVT and facilities staff will be on hand to answer and explain the "why's" of what we do.
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Ted Coussens
Ted started his career at Learning Spaces in 2006 as an Instructional Media Systems Technician, has participated in the installations and upgrades of over 1,000 audio-visual systems across ISU's campus, and is currently the Assistant Chief Instructional Media Systems Engineer -
Chris Morgan
Chris Morgan is an AV developer and technologist specializing in higher education. With a passion for integrating cutting-edge AV technology to enhance interactive learning experiences, Chris has a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions that transform how students and faculty engage with media and educational content.Chris earned a degree in Computer Science from Illinois College, focusing on the theory and practice of computer science, and later obtained an MBA from Western Governors University, complementing their technical skills with strategic business insights.
Chris dedicates his work to bridging the worlds of IT and AV technologies. He has authored novel web services that enhance and complement traditional learning spaces and advocates for the adoption of modern AV over IP solutions. Passionate about accessibility issues, Chris ensures that AV technologies are inclusive and accessible to all students and faculty members.
Chris collaborates closely with a talented team of technicians, engineers, and designers to create state-of-the-art AV systems tailored to the specific needs of higher education. His expertise spans a wide range of technologies, including virtual reality, web technologies, immersive learning environments, and AV over IP technologies.
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Andy Reilly
Andy has been with ISU since 2021 and is currently the Facilities Management Maintenance Coordinator, which includes working with LSAVT in updating university classroom and conference room infrastructure and facilities.
CIT Social Event
4:30-?
Join us at the Pub II to reflect on what you learned at the conference and keep connecting with colleagues! Cheese balls highly recommended, but optional.
