Campus Integrated Directory (CID) Project
With the growth of e-business the University is facing challenges in managing secure access to information and applications scattered across a wide range of internal computing systems. We have to provide access to a growing number of users, both inside and outside the University, without diminishing security or exposing sensitive information.
The University’s environment utilizes numerous centralized authoritative sources to authenticate users – five Active Directories, two LDAPS and one NDS. There are also Faculties and Services that have their own de-centralized authoritative source such as the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Science and the School of Management.
Active Directory is a centralized and standardized system that automates network management of user data, security, and distributed resources. Active Directory enables interoperation with other directories and is designed especially for distributed networking environments.
There is an urgent requirement to plan for a primary centralized integrated Active Directory within our distributed networking environment. This will ultimately reduce the effort required in supporting the identity infrastructures for all stakeholders. It will also enhance the student experience by making access to University computer resources more efficient.
Objectives
- Implementation of a Central Active Directory at the University which may be universally used by all applications (corporate and other) for authentication, authorization and identity management purposes.
- Implementation of additional CID services including but not limited to: File & Print; One login (Desktop, Mail, File & Print); Desktop Integration (Security Policy – Initially open); SMS Desktop Software; Student Desktop Roaming; Live Communication Server…
Impact once delivered
- Decreased maintenance and support in the long term
- Decrease in complexity and synchronization
- Increased security
- Decrease in complexity to clients who no longer need to have multiple passwords
