6 Information systems

General principles

The University will provide an infrastructure and systems which make available appropriate and accurate information to members of the University and to external stakeholders, and information services that support research and teaching to the highest levels.

The University´s information systems will recognise the continuing importance of print-based material and provide appropriate places in which this can be accessed.

The critical dependence of the University´s key business areas on its information resources and systems will be reflected in its approach to risk management.

Operational considerations

The University will provide appropriate physical environments for staff and students to use print based and electronic information in an integrated way.

The University´s risk register will include reference to major information-related risks and appropriate risk management plans will be developed.

The University will work towards a communications and information technology infrastructure where:

• Systems and infrastructure are robust and reliable – “always on”.
• There is ubiquitous access to information and services, using the web as a delivery mechanism and delivering to mobile devices. "Anyone, Anywhere, Any time, Any device".
• Communication technologies are media-rich and interactive, integrating data, voice and video.
• Research Groups have access to first-class computational facilities and high-speed network links.
• An information-rich, Managed Learning Environment forms part of an integrated digital campus.
• Emphasis is on self-service and most aspects of the University’s core functions are conducted electronically.
• Information and services are accessed through secure single sign-on (authorization and authentication) which allows remote access to all central systems and resources.
• Information is tailored to the user’s needs.
• There are secure, high quality campus-wide corporate information systems providing unified access to coherent corporate data.
• Centrally-held and locally-held data can be integrated effectively by machine-based systems.

The above will depend upon an appropriate programme of funding for replacement of equipment and for new developments. Academic planning units and central service departments will regularly review and update their IT requirements, liaising with CiCS as necessary; will provide effective local resources for the management of desktop computing; and will compile departmental IT strategies.

Documentation

• University IT Strategy
• Telecommunications Strategy
• CIS development strategy
• Departmental IT Strategies
• Corporate risk register