Phase I of the laptop scanning project that is part of the MetroProtect security initiative is complete and Information Technology will now start the second phase in which all College laptops will be scanned for personally identifiable information (PII) and a secure image that includes encryption software installed.

There are more than 400 College laptops that must go through Phase II. IT hopes to schedule 10 per week over the next several months.

IT is in the process of notifying all employees assigned a College laptop of the steps in the second phase, including a “laptop check-in” form that must be completed in advance. Employees will be given a two-week timeline within which they must schedule an appointment to deliver the laptop to the IT Help Desk. The scanning and imaging process may take up to three business days with loaners available upon request.

“I want to thank everyone for their understanding and cooperation as we work toward securing all college information and technology,” said Interim IT Vice President George Middlemist.

Related IT news
Information Technology has announced that due to incompatibility problems, the installation of Internet Explorer 7.0 on the College’s computers will be postponed.

The new Web browser, which is to be released this month as part of Microsoft’s automatic updates, is not compatible with either MetroConnect or Banner. IT will deploy the browser as soon as these problems are resolved.

Home users will be prompted before the installation begins and are given the choice to postpone the upgrade to IE 7. They should be aware that they may not be able to access the MetroConnect portal and e-mail if they do install IE 7 before IT is able to correct the situation.