TECHNICAL PANEL
Nebraska Information Technology Commission
Tuesday, February 13, 2007, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Varner Hall - Board Room
3835 Holdrege St., Lincoln, Nebraska
MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Brenda Decker, Chief Information Officer, State of Nebraska
Christy Horn, University of Nebraska, Compliance Officer
Kirk Langer, Lincoln Public Schools
Walter Weir, University of Nebraska
Mike Winkle, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission
ROLL CALL, MEETING NOTICE & OPEN MEETINGS ACT INFORMATION
Mr. Weir called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. A quorum was present to conduct official business. The meeting notice and meeting agenda were posted to the NITC website and the Nebraska Public Meeting Calendar website on December 22, 2006. The agenda was posted to the NITC website on February 9, 2007. The Open Meetings Act Information was posted on the south wall of the meeting room.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 2006 MINUTES
Ms. Decker moved to approve the November 22, 2006 minutes as presented. Mr. Winkle seconded. Roll call vote: Decker-Yes, Langer-Yes, Weir-Yes, and Winkle-Yes. Results: Yes-4, No-0. Motion carried.
Ms. Horn arrived at the meeting.
PROJECT REVIEWS - ONGOING REVIEWS
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS, Jerry Brown, Project Manager
Rick Becker informed the panel that there are five projects from the biennial budget review process that the NITC wanted additional reviews performed: two HHSS projects (MMIS and LMIS); the two Student Information System projects, and the Retirement Systems project.
Mr. Brown provide a handout and an update to the panel. Preparation of the RFP is expected to be completed by mid-February. Mr. Brown will share the final version with the members.
STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM, Walter Weir
Mr. Weir provided a brief update on the University project. Sunguard SCT owns the current SIS (Student Information System). As of the end of 2011, they will no longer support SIS. The estimated time to fully implement a new system is three years. Mr. Weir has been working collaboratively with Mr. Hoffman of the State College System.
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES - REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION
Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network - Exemption from Scheduling Standard for Synchronous Distance Learning and Videoconferencing
Donna Hammack, Chair, Nebraska Telehealth Governance Committee, submitted a letter asking for a 3-year exemption to the Scheduling Standard for Synchronous Distance Learning and Videoconferencing. Dave Glover and Max Thacker joined the meeting via video conference. Discussions have occurred with OCIO about the education scheduling system and the uniqueness of the Telehealth network because of regulatory, funding, and security issues. The Kentucky scheduling system was a model that the committee felt would fit Nebraska’s needs. Windstream purchased the software. St. Elizabeth is hosting the software and signed a contract in November. The Public Service Commission is reimbursing St. Elizabeth’s for the network costs.
Ms. Hammack joined the meeting via telephone conference call to participate in the discussions.
Questions and discussion occurred regarding the state’s purchasing processes versus private sector solicitation; selection of the vendor; the use of public monies; protocols for privacy and security requirements; and private entities working on behalf of public entities.
Panel members were concerned with the precedent that the NITC is setting with this model and the impact it could have for state agencies. It was recommended to table this agenda item until the next meeting, and to invite the Public Service Commission for discussion.
Mr. Weir stated that NITC needs to be informed about the federal and local barriers are to bringing the two networks together. It was also stated that the NITC wants to build a partnership.STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES - SET FOR 30-DAY COMMENT PERIOD
Steve Hartman, Security Officer, Office of the CIO
Minimum Server Configuration. The purpose of the stand is to establish base configurations and minimum server standards on internal server equipment that is owned and/or operated by the State of Nebraska. Effective implementation of this policy will minimize the chance of unauthorized access to the State of Nebraska’s information and technology systems.
This is currently a guideline. The Security Work Group recommended it be a standard. The standard refers to the NIST maintained documentation.
There were no recommended changes from the panel members.
SMTP Routing Standard. From the document: "Purpose and Objectives - All inbound and outbound SMTP traffic must be routed through the State of Nebraska’s SPAM/Anti-Virus appliance to ensure that email and attachments with emails are properly scanned for viruses, SPAM, and that all content complies with State of Nebraska policies including privacy concerns."
There were no recommended changes from the panel members.
DNS Forwarding Standard. From the document: "Purpose and Objectives - All outbound (Internet) DNS traffic must be forwarded through the State of Nebraska’s internal DNS servers that are managed by the Office of the CIO. There were no recommended changes from the panel members."
STATEWIDE TECHNOLGOY PLAN - ACTION ITEMS
The NITC will be updating the action items at their meeting on February 22. Panel members were asked to review and provide staff with recommendationed changes.
LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM STANDARDS WORK GROUP CHARTER*
Tom Rolfes, Education Information Technology Manager
A list of proposed members to serve on the work group was presented to the panel. None of the members listed has indicated that they could not serve. The charter has been shared with the Education Council. There were concerns regarding a learning management system for both K-12 and higher education. The Charter is geared more toward the technical issues of K-12. Discussions will continue between K-12 and higher education. The Education Council recommended formation of a smaller work group composed of instructional members to begin the process.
Mr. Langer recommended moving forward with the Charter with clear understanding that both technical and instructional representatives will serve on the work group. It was also recommended that representatives with accessibility and digital library experience would be helpful.
Mr. Weir moved to approve the Learning Management System Standards Work Group Charter. Ms. Horn seconded. Roll call vote: Weir-Yes, Winkle-Yes, Decker- Yes, Horn, and Langer-Yes. Results: Yes-5, No-0. Motion carried.
REGULAR INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND WORK GROUP UPDATES (AS NEEDED)
Accessibility of Information Technology Work Group, Christy Horn. Ms. Horn is developing a checklist for accessibility.
Security Architecture Work Group, Steve Hartman. The Work Group has been developing a data security standard and an overall security policy for state government. Mr. Weir informed the panel that the University of Nebraska is developing software tools that will evaluate security fields. The Cyber Security Conference is scheduled for April 18th, at Southeast Community College.
OTHER BUSINESS
NITC will be undergoing a performance audit by the Legislature. Technical Panel members may be called upon to provide information.
NEXT MEETING DATE & ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting of the NITC Technical Panel will be held on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, 9:00 a.m., at Varner Hall, 3835 Holdrege Street in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Ms. Decker moved to adjourn. Mr. Weir seconded. All were in favor. Motion was carried by voice vote.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 a.m.
Meeting minutes were taken by Lori Lopez Urdiales and review by Rick Becker, Office of the CIO.
Technical Panel Minutes