COVID-19 has altered the way we work and study across the world and Sheffield Hallam is no exception to that. This change has brought a number of challenges and risks that have meant adjustments for everyone.

We’ve had to make rapid changes to our University IT infrastructure which was primarily geared to on-site delivery of systems, services and data with a much smaller need for people to use it for working, teaching and studying remotely.  Staff and students’ own home Internet Service Providers are also juggling a large increase in sustained demand through the working day (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52448607)

Some of the University’s services are cloud-based which means we’re dependent on their providers to resolve any issues and notify us about interruptions to service. Online meeting services like Zoom and WebEx have surges in use at certain times which can affect connection.

The move to remote working has also increased certain risks.  The University has protections in place from phishing and malicious websites or downloads but we’ve had to put considerably more resource into responding to the big spikes in phishing threats and frequent Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attacks which we’ve been seeing at the University. This isn’t just a Sheffield Hallam issue – Kaspersky (a global cybersecurity provider) reported almost a doubling in DDOS attacks in January – March this year compared to October – December 2019, with certain sectors being specifically targeted (e.g. local government and education https://usa.kaspersky.com/about/press-releases/2020_ddos-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-attacks-on-educational-and-municipal-websites).

All these factors make availability of IT services and access for remote working a difficult balancing act and the University is working hard with our partners and suppliers to minimise their impact.

What is Sheffield Hallam doing to address these issues ?

We’ve moved quickly to expand the availability of remote desktops and VPN connections (which offer increased security and a better connection) and are working to increase the availability of cloud-based labs and other facilities.

Our Security team is working with our own internet service provider (JISC) to put special protective measures in place which safeguard our systems and block DDOS attacks which are particularly prevalent at the moment.

We are also creating guidance for staff who are having connection issues – whether it’s problems with their own equipment and broadband or difficulties authenticating to Sheffield Hallam services and systems.

We understand that these issues can be irritating.  Please bear with us as we look at ways to help improve your online experience and make the move, like you, to a totally different way of working.