tech news
ROBOTICS TEAMS ACHIEVE SECOND & THIRD PLACE
Think about it, if students are growing up in a world that requires them to be tech-savvy, then shouldn’t tech play a big role in their classroom experience?
Two PCC robotics teams excelled at the SkillsUSA State Conference, held in Greensboro, NC. Mechatronics students Ethan Oakley and Caleb Pulliam secured second place, while Derby Harris and Amaree Blackwell claimed third in the “Robotics: Urban Search and Rescue” competition Ben Satterfield assisted both teams The robots were required to perform tasks such as grabbing a wooden block from a box, lifting it, and opening a mailbox Teams documented their build process in an engineering manual and presented their designs. The competition involved three stages with obstacle courses and included inspections, presentations, and a written test on Mechatronics
What's Inside?
AI ROADMAP
This initiative aims to integrate AI into our systems, enhancing operational efficiency and student services Read more on page 2
WIFI UPGRADE & REFRESH
One-third of the access points across both campuses have been replaced with the new WiFi 6E technology Read more on page 4
PCC ATTAINS A RATING
PCC has achieved an exceptional cybersecurity rating earning a prestigious A grade This accomplishment distinguishes PCC Read more on page 5
TRANSFORMING INNOVATION WITH AI
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We are excited to announce the AI Pilot Roadmap for PCC. This initiative aims to integrate AI into our systems, enhancing operational efficiency and student services. Over the next 18-24 months, we will focus on AI leadership training, developing a data warehouse, and implementing an AI learning model. This roadmap will enable us to optimize scheduling, predict enrollment trends, and create personalized learning experiences. Join us as we embark on this transformative journey to leverage AI for the betterment of our community.
NEW LMS PROVISIONED
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The Information Technology division has completed a significant collaboration with the Distance Education team to transition our learning management system (LMS) from Blackboard to Moodle. This strategic move was motivated by PCC’s commitment to providing a more flexible, customizable, and user-friendly platform for both instructors and students Moodle’s open-source framework allows for extensive customization and integration, enabling educators to tailor their digital classrooms to their specific teaching styles and curricular needs The migration process involved meticulous planning and execution to ensure a seamless transition. Moodle offers numerous advantages over our previous system, including improved data security, robust support for mobile devices, and a more intuitive user interface that enhances the overall learning experience
COLLEAGUE SINGLE SIGN-ON
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The Information Technology division is advancing campus security measures with the implementation of Single Sign-On (SSO) and TwoFactor Authentication (2FA) within Ellucian Colleague Our goal is to streamline access to all campus systems through SSO, ensuring that once authenticated, users can seamlessly navigate across applications without the hassle of multiple logins This not only simplifies user experience but also strengthens our overall security posture by centralizing access controls and reducing the risk associated with password management
The integration of 2FA adds an additional layer of protection to our ERP system By requiring a second form of verification beyond passwords such as authentication app we significantly enhance security against unauthorized access and potential data breaches This initiative has undergone rigorous user testing to ensure a smooth transition to production on August 1st.
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT (CRM)
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In a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing student engagement and support, the Information Technology (IT) division is collaborating closely with the Student Development division to implement Watermark Customer Relationship Management (CRM). This initiative marks a significant step forward in aligning technology with student success initiatives, leveraging advanced CRM capabilities to streamline processes and improve the overall student experience
Watermark CRM is set to revolutionize how PCC interacts with students throughout their academic journey By integrating robust data analytics and personalized communication tools, the CRM platform will enable Student Development to tailor support services more effectively to individual student needs. This includes proactive outreach, targeted advising, and timely interventions to ensure students receive the assistance they need when they need it most This underscores PCC's commitment to leveraging technology as a catalyst for student success
NETWORK REDESIGN & CYBER INITIATIVE
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Information Technology is pleased to announce the completion of the year-long network redesign and cybersecurity initiative at both Person and Caswell campuses. This comprehensive project significantly enhances our network’s performance and security. The initiative involved revamping our infrastructure to ensure faster speeds, greater reliability, and a unified service experience. Key improvements include the implementation of Network Access Control (NAC) solutions, which bolster our defenses against unauthorized access and cyber threats. This transition results in a more robust and secure network environment, ready to support our evolving technological needs
WIFI UPGRADE & REFRESH
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We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of the Wireless Upgrade and Refresh project for the upcoming school year. As part of this significant upgrade, approximately one-third of the access points across both campuses have been replaced with the new WiFi 6E technology This enhancement ensures that Piedmont Community College (PCC) remains at the forefront of technological advancement, providing robust and reliable wireless connectivity for our entire campus community
With this upgrade, PCC is well-equipped to handle the increasing mobility and bandwidth demands of modern educational applications The new wireless network provides high availability, secure mobility services, high-performance media collaboration, and improved operational efficiency
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Piedmont Community College (PCC) has achieved an exceptional cybersecurity rating of 907 out of 950, earning a prestigious A grade. This accomplishment distinguishes PCC as the sole public college in North Carolina to reach such a high rating. Conducted by an independent third party, this score reflects PCC’s strong security protocols and effective management of potential attack vectors. This outstanding rating underscores the Information Technology division’s dedication to safeguarding sensitive data and mitigating cyber threats. PCC’s commitment to maintaining these rigorous security standards sets a benchmark for excellence in cybersecurity, proving that even a small rural college with limited resources can achieve such remarkable success. It stands as a testament to PCC’s unwavering focus on protecting their community’s digital environment with the highest standards of cybersecurity
DISASTER RECOVERY
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The Information Technology division has created a comprehensive Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP), ensuring IT service resilience The DRP enhances preparedness with structured disaster response procedures and minimizes downtime through a tiered recovery strategy, prioritizing essential services. It clearly defines roles and responsibilities, ensuring effective coordination The plan also strengthens risk management by identifying and mitigating potential risks, and emphasizes cost-effective solutions This proactive step not only boosts preparedness but also ensures the continuity of essential services
CROWDSTRIKE OUTAGE AFFECTS PCC
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PCC experienced significant operational disruptions due to the CrowdStrike outage. Many systems were rendered inaccessible, halting various activities and delaying administrative processes Fortunately, the college was closed on Friday for summer hours, providing some relief IT staff worked all day to implement the recommended fixes and eventually restored services This incident underscored the need for enhanced IT resilience and effective disaster recovery strategies, marking the first live exercise of the college's new disaster recovery plan.
PROTECTING OUR CLOUD ENVIRONMENT WITH NEW NEXT GEN FIREWALL
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We are thrilled to announce the near completion of our installation of the Palo Alto Networks NextGeneration Cloud Firewall, a pivotal upgrade to fortify our cloud security infrastructure This deployment marks a significant step forward in ensuring the protection and resilience of our cloud assets against evolving cyber threats.
The Palo Alto Next-Gen Cloud Firewall offers robust security benefits tailored to our organization's needs It provides advanced threat prevention capabilities powered by real-time threat intelligence and machine learning, enabling proactive detection and mitigation of potential risks With granular application visibility and control, we can effectively manage and secure our cloud traffic, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and internal security policies
Our dedicated IT team has been diligently working to finalize configurations and conduct comprehensive testing to optimize the firewall's performance As we approach the final stages of deployment, we remain committed to enhancing our cloud security posture and maintaining operational continuity. We appreciate your continued support and collaboration as we reinforce our defenses to safeguard our digital ecosystem
YOUR OPINION MATTERS
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Information Technology will send a survey after completing all help desk tickets. We value your feedback and want to ensure we're meeting your needs effectively Your opinions help us improve our services and address any issues promptly Please take a moment to complete the survey and let us know how we're doing Your input is crucial to enhancing our IT support and overall user experience Click here for a chance to win tech!
IT PROJECT ROADMAP
The updated IT roadmap outlines the comprehensive strategy and initiatives designed to enhance our institution's technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, and user experience from Fall 2022 through Fall 2024. This roadmap includes an overview for system upgrades, new technology implementations, and ongoing support mechanisms to ensure seamless operations and robust security across the campus
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Powered By PaperCut NEW PRINT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
We are excited to announce the implementation of the PaperCut print management system This new system will streamline our printing services, making it easier and more efficient for everyone. PaperCut offers features such as secure print release, user quotas, and detailed usage reports, helping us reduce waste and promote sustainable practices With its user-friendly interface, managing print jobs and tracking print usage is now simpler than ever For more information and to learn how to use PaperCut, please visit our PaperCut information page
INTRANET SITE FINALIZED
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The new intranet site utilizing SharePoint is now completed This site is designed to enhance internal communication, streamline access to resources, and improve collaboration across the college
During the development process, the IT division faced challenges with permission issues, which initially delayed the release However, through diligent troubleshooting and collaboration, these issues have been resolved The IT team has ensured that all access controls are appropriately set, providing secure and efficient access to all necessary resources
With these hurdles behind us, the new SharePointbased intranet site is now fully operational. We are confident that this new platform will significantly benefit the PCC community, offering a centralized hub for information and resources
We appreciate the patience and support from everyone during the development process and look forward to seeing the positive impact of this new tool on our daily operations
DIGITAL SIGNATURES
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The Information Technology division is excited to announce the ongoing testing of Adobe Sign to implement digital signatures across campus This initiative aims to streamline processes, enhance security, and reduce paper usage Currently, the IT division is waiting for the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) Office to finalize the Adobe contract, which will provide access to competitive pricing for all participating institutions
Adobe Sign offers several significant benefits It improves efficiency by allowing for faster document turnaround, eliminating the need for physical signatures Documents can be signed and returned in minutes, reducing delays in workflows The platform also enhances security by providing a secure method of authentication, ensuring that documents are signed by the intended parties Additionally, Adobe Sign maintains a detailed audit trail for compliance purposes
The IT division is committed to leveraging technology to improve campus operations and looks forward to implementing Adobe Sign soon Stay tuned for more updates as we move closer to finalizing this exciting enhancement.
