Feinberg IT FAQ

Windows updates are pushed once a month after extensive system testing. Mac updates are released after system testing can be completed. Individual users can install these when they are ready to upgrade.

New PC models are usually available in March, while Mac computers are typically released in September.

Updates happen automatically after release, and employees do not need to take any action if they are on managed machines. If your computer is notifying you of an update that has not been performed, please contact fsmhelp@northwestern.edu for more information.

Feinberg IT installs Dell Kace (Windows) or Casper (Apple) software on all Feinberg-owned computers. This enables Feinberg IT to inventory and update the computers.

The Qualys agent is one of the standard security tools included on all computers managed by Feinberg IT. Qualys looks for missing security-related updates and settings to assist in ensuring your devices are protected from attackers. The Qualys agent provides security reporting information only and does not examine your personal data or control your computer.

Send an email to fsmhelp@northwestern.edu or call 1-HELP (Option 5). A Feinberg IT technician will review options to remove the virus from your computer.

Go to NU Validate and follow the prompts. If you forgot your password, select “Forgot Password” to answer your security questions.

NUIT offers guidelines about creating a strong password/passphrase.

Feinberg has licensing for CrashPlan to back up all our computers. Email Feinberg IT if you need to confirm this service.

Computers managed by Feinberg IT are to include the following drives. You cannot store university data on personal computers.

• P: (Personal) - fsmfiles
• R: (Research Data) - fsmresfiles
• S: (Feinberg Departmental Shared Drives) – fsmdeptfiles

Feinberg IT has file storage guidelines with which all staff should be familiar. If you are working in clinical research, you must save and store related data according to your Data Security Plan. Please see the Security section of this FAQ for more information.

Contact the help desk. We’ll ask you to provide information about the printer to which you wish to connect, including location (building, floor, room) and any label information, if available.

Anything purchased through the university, including equipment paid for through grant funding and items purchased with PI accounts, are property of Northwestern University.

Personal devices, such as mobile phones and tablets purchased by a faculty or staff member, can be used to access email or other Northwestern tools but remain the property and responsibility of that individual. Please note: Personal devices will need to be secured prior to connecting with Northwestern tools or servers.

Learn more about securing personal devices via NUIT resources:

• Mobile Device Security Guidelines
• Configure Exchange Email

The Office of Communications can help assess your department/center/program/lab web presence and guide you through the website creation process. Please submit a Communications Project Request Form to begin the process. 

Feinberg IT should be the first contact prior to reaching out to Apple, Lenovo, Dell, etc. Feinberg IT will work with the vendor to expedite the repair or replacement of your device. Please do not contact them directly.

You can access the web client on any computer. Feinberg IT can configure an email program, such as Outlook, if you are using a Feinberg-managed computer.

You can access the NM Outlook Web App. NMIT can configure Outlook on your NMHC computer. Eligible devices must use WPA2 Enterprise security. If your device does not leverage WPA2 Enterprise connection, it cannot connect to the university's network.

No. Feinberg IT has a number of email policies related to unintended sharing of protected health information and personally identifiable information. Email messages and attachments can be forwarded and/or auto-forwarded only within approved Northwestern-affiliated email systems.

You will need to set up a security passcode when you set up your Northwestern email on your device. Use your Wildcard to receive discounts on a number of mobile services.

Learn more about securing personal devices via NUIT resources:

• Mobile Device Security Guidelines
• Configure Exchange Email

Please review the Email Auto-Forwarding Policy for approved Northwestern-affiliated email systems.

If you have any issues setting up your email rule, try switching browsers (Firefox is recommended).

1. Log in to mail.northwestern.edu.

2. In the upper right-hand corner of the page, click the  gear icon  and select "Options."

   

3. On the left side of the page, select "organize email."

   

4. Create an auto-forwarding rule by selecting the icon, then "Create a new rule for arriving messages."

   

5. A new window will pop-up to name the rule and set parameters:
         Name: Your preference (example below uses “NM autoforward”)
         *When the message arrives, and: [Apply to all messages]
         Do the following: Redirect the message to…

   

6. Another window will appear to record the destination email address. Type the email address you want all email to be sent (example@nm.org below). Once entered, click "OK."

   

7. You are done. All email sent to your @northwestern.edu address will now be auto-forwarded to your NM family email address.

If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact us at fsmhelp@northwestern.edu.

Talk to your supervisor or department administrator about a proper off-boarding plan for Feinberg hardware and data on the computer that you use.

Supervisors and department administrators should advise staff and faculty to back up their data to the appropriate unit's shared folder prior to leaving so other team members can access that information. When the hardware is reconfigured for a new faculty or staff member, all data will be removed.

If you are a principal investigator who wishes to take Feinberg-owned research data to another institution, you will need to connect with the Office of Sponsored Research about establishing a Data Usage Agreement.

Contact the Help Desk even if you have computer equipment for your new staff member. Feinberg IT will need to set up the computer and server access for the new user.

Review this Knowledge Base article for how to configure your device: https://kb.northwestern.edu/106445.

The Feinberg IT technician delivering and setting up the computer will go through the Computer Deployment Checklist with you to make sure everything is transferred and configured on your new computer.

Sometimes, the benefits of having a fully managed device are not immediately visible, but some of the key benefits are improved security and compliance, decreased downtime, reduced risk and better resource sharing and decreased IT costs. We are asked by faculty and staff “Why does my computer need to be managed? I don’t want someone controlling my computer.” We understand that having anyone else do anything to your computer feels like a loss of control. Stating that it is university or Feinberg policy to have managed computers does not make anyone feel better or create a level of trust that is needed for the managed system to work. We hope that our explanation helps faculty and staff understand and appreciate why a managed computer is better for individuals and the collective good of all who use the campus network. 

A managed computer in the Feinberg environment means that the device has our endpoint management software installed, the device is encrypted using either Bitlocker (PC) or Filevault (Mac) and Feinberg’s Symantec anti-virus is installed. A managed computer provides the average user with more control over the physical device and the contents on that device. This is done by connecting the computer to a system that provides access to resources such as files and printers that are available locally and on the network and manages who has access to those resources. On a Mac device, there is a Self-Service portal provided by JAMF, which allows users to install our more commonly used software packages and also provides tools and updates. Likewise, PCs use a system called BigFix, which also provides computers with security updates and the ability to install approved software. To learn what JAMF and Bigfix can do for you, please go to our knowledge base or call us at 847-591-HELP (3457) option 5.

Contact the Help Desk to have Feinberg IT’s Procurement Team walk you through the assessment process to determine your needs and budget. You may also submit a completed Assessment Form to have Feinberg IT staff follow up with you.

The university has set hardware and software standards, as well as bundles and computers that comply with those standards.

Once received, standard devices that are already in stock typically take three to five business days to be configured and deployed to you. Apple products will take approximately two weeks to arrive after the order is approved by your department. Customized devices will require more turnaround time. Please allow three to five weeks to receive your machine based on availability of parts.

No. You must use Feinberg IT to purchase your items as you would have without grant funds. In addition, the hardware or software should be itemized on your grant submission and budget justification document provided to the Office of Sponsored Research (OSR). In order for Feinberg IT to purchase items from grant funds, OSR must have signed off on the purchase.

Please see the purchasing section of our site for more information about what can and cannot be purchased outside of our purchasing group. Feinberg IT will not support or network hardware or install software that is not purchased through the proper channels.

To address immediate needs of faculty and staff, Feinberg IT allows the purchase of many accessories outside of our internal process.

Generally yes, but before you purchase software, connect with Galter Library and contact us to inquire about the availability of the computer programs you are seeking. Through institutional licensening agreements and existing licenses, they are likely available at a reduced rate or even free.

Apple does not allow returns for items purchased by Northwestern University.

No. Please see the purchasing section for more details.

Yes, under some circumstances your Lenovo machine can be returned, but you will likely pay a restocking fee.

No, computers purchased with Feinberg funds are not allowed trade-in credit.

Data that is encrypted is not considered protected health information or personally identifiable information as defined by the regulations. Data on devices that are verifiably encrypted and become lost or stolen are not reportable events to regulatory agencies. Feinberg has established the policy that all devices must be encrypted. The Information Security & Access Policy has more information.

The loss must be reported immediately to Feinberg IT at fsmhelp@northwestern.edu. 

Please contact the Information Security Team at FSMIT-Policy@northwestern.edu.

A data security plan is required to be completed when the principal investigator has a Feinberg appointment. This is a requirement regardless of the type of data being used in the research project.

Please refer to our information security, email and data security plan policies. 

No non-public Northwestern University data (e.g., research, healthcare/clinical, student data) is permitted to be stored on mobile and personal devices, unless they are Feinberg IT–managed devices.

SharePoint is not yet approved for storage of clinical research data. Please refer to current secure file sharing at Northwestern and Feinberg storage options.

Secure email and file sharing at Northwestern and Feinberg storage options are available.

Feinberg IT provides services to backup data securely. Please contact fsmhelp@northwestern.edu to determine the best backup options for your needs.

The use of commercial vendors for use in research must have a written agreement between Northwestern University and the vendor, including written approval from the Feinberg Office of the Dean. In addition, university policy for vetting commercial vendors must be followed.

Please contact the Information Security Team at FSMIT-Policy@northwestern.edu. To anonymously report, please refer to the Northwestern University EthicsPoint contact information.

You can access the web client on any computer. Feinberg IT can configure an email program, such as Outlook, if you are using a Feinberg-managed computer.

Complete and submit the Computer Administrator Rights form to begin the process.

Feinberg IT’s Integrated Media Services group can assist with multimedia recording and hosting needs. Learn about their available services.

Media Services will help you make the best decision. Contact the help desk to connect with them. Learn about their available services.

Most events require notice of one week for scheduling, setup and testing.

Special events with more than one remote site viewing a broadcast or where clinical content from the OR or labs are involved require a minimum of one month.

Please open a ticket with the Feinberg IT Help Desk. Media Services will respond within 24 hours.

Yes. Having a room held does not necessarily mean that there will be someone there to help. Be sure to open a ticket with the Help Desk.

Yes. If your event takes place in a NMH location (e.g., Arkes, Feinberg, Lavin or Galter), you will need to make a separate room reservation with the NMHC Conference Center or the clinical department managing the room. Media Services cannot hold space in NMHS, but it can help you with the reservation process.

Media Services provides educational broadcast services to properly authorized individuals and groups for broadcasts originating from clinical services, such as OR procedures, catheter and EP lab events and GI lab procedures. Content varies by location, but most commonly includes field, scope, instrument and other relevant capture.