Security changes coming for remote access

A memo from Information Systems and Technology's Bruce Campbell (Director, Network Services), and Jason Testart (Director, Information Security Services), outlines the new "firewall-like" access controls to Academic Support networks that will be going up on March 20.

"Effective March 20, staff in Academic Support areas will no longer be able to directly connect to their office workstations from off-campus using Remote Desktop," says the memo. "Instead, staff will need to make use of the campus Virtual Private Network (VPN) service in order to connect to their office workstations from off-campus."

The Virtual Private Network service, provided by IST, facilitates telecommuting and other off-site access to campus network resources. The VPN securely connects a remote computer, such as a desktop or laptop, securely to the uWaterloo campus network. A VPN connection makes it seem as though a remote computer is on campus.

The changes are being made in response to "today's Internet threats," and reflect the fact that historically, most areas of the campus network have been open to the public Internet. "This change will reduce the exposure of the campus network," the memo continues, "which will ultimately reduce the risk of a successful network attack. Eventually, all areas of the campus network will be protected by a campus firewall."

IST recommends that staff members consult the online VPN documentation to learn more about the VPN service. IST also recommends that, prior to March 16, staff try using the VPN service from off-campus. Instructions on how to do so are available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Ubuntu computing platforms.

If in need of assistance, contact the Computing Help & Information Place (CHIP) at extension 84357 or helpdesk @uwaterloo.ca.

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SAF students accrue victories

a media release from the School of Accounting and Finance

Students from the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) at the University of Waterloo continue to add to a long list of competition wins.

This month, a team of five aspiring investment professionals from the SAF earned their way to New York City after advancing in the global CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Institute Research Challenge.

The Waterloo team, pictured at right, comprising of (l-r) Michael C. Liu (MAcc), Daniel Pacione (MAcc), Meng Wang (BAFM '11), Mike Y. Liu (MAcc), and Ian Gutwinski (MAcc), competed against three Ontario universities on March 1 for a coveted spot in the regional North American competition being held in New York City on April 10.

Teams were required to assemble a research report on a publicly traded firm – this year being the Onex Corporation. Groups then presented their report to a panel of industry professionals who evaluated the quality of their research and presentation.

“The fact they are advancing to New York after the Toronto round is a testament to the strength of the team,” explains Craig Geoffrey (pictured above, at right), SAF Finance Professor and team mentor.“Competing with students from across the Americas and the Globe in New York will be a tremendous learning experience for the team, and really a prize in itself. I wish them continued success.”

The finance competition, which attracted more than 2,500 students from 546 universities last year, combines hands-on learning for students and mentoring by industry professionals.
The regional winner will advance to the global final in New York City on April 11, 2012.

Also this month, a group of fourth-year SAF students (pictured in the headline photo) received top honours at the 2012 TD Financial Case Competition hosted by University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management. Participating teams from across Canada analysed two cases and presented their recommendations to a panel of industry professionals. Mo Du and Prasanth Pahirathan from Accounting and Financial Management and Anqi Wang from Computing and Financial Management won the first place prize of $750.00.

Meanwhile, back in August, Jonathan Lau (BAFM ’12) was the first Canadian student to win the Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB) student paper competition held in New Orleans. Lau wowed peers, competitors and law professors alike at the ALSB 2011 National Conference, which was organized by Yale University.

Lau's paper identified and made recommendations on ways Ontario should reform its insider trading regulations, including statutory and enforcement comparisons of insider trading laws and regulations in Ontario, the US and the UK.

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March Break Open House next week

High school students who have applied for admission to the University of Waterloo can find out about campus life when Waterloo holds its annual March Break Open House next week. For the first time, the open house will be held over two days to better accommodate the thousands of visitors who attend each year.

Each day will focus on specific areas of the university, although information about all programs will be available each day. Sessions and tours will be available between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Applicants to Engineering, Environment, and Mathematics will be on campus Tuesday, March 13, and applicants to Applied Health Sciences, Arts, and Science will be on campus Wednesday, March 14.

"By hosting the open house over two days, we are providing applicants and their parents the opportunity to participate in activities that will help them learn about the University of Waterloo," says Kim McKee, manager of the visitors centre. "We also hope that this day will increase the number of applicants who accept their offers of admission from Waterloo after they gain a more detailed understanding of life at Waterloo."

Throughout the two days, visitors can tour Waterloo's campus, university colleges, and residences. Students and their parents can also attend information sessions relating to co-operative education, residence life, and financing an education. Information booths focused on academics, housing services, and athletics will be set up in the Student Life Centre.

For a more detailed perspective on academic opportunities available at Waterloo, students are encouraged to attend academic presentations focused on individual faculties and programs.

An open house will also be held on Tuesday, March 13 at the School of Architecture in Cambridge.

More information about the March Break Open House is available online.

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Pharmacy organizes health fair; other notes

This week is Pharmacy Awareness Week, and the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy chapter of the Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI) have put together a week of exciting events aimed at educating the public and enhancing student awareness. The latest event is a community health and wellness fair that will be taking place at the School of Pharmacy today at 5:00 p.m.

Pharmacy students and representatives from several community health services organizations will be on hand at the fair to share tips on healthy living.

Pharmacy Awareness Week will conclude Friday, March 9, with a high school outreach event promoting careers in the pharmacy profession.

Feridun Hamdullahpur is joining the presidents of the "U15" universities in Berlin this week as they meet with colleagues at German institutions, Peter Boehm, the Canadian ambassador in Germany, as well as the German minister for education and research, Dr. Annette Schavan. The U15, which includes Waterloo, is a group of leading Canadian research-intensive universities, formerly known as the G13, and is made up of institutions from coast to coast.

And here's the latest Nutrition Month tip from Health Services dietician Sandra Ace, who you can contact if you have any questions or comments:

"Myth": “Multi-grain” is the same as “whole grain.”
"Truth": Multi-grain products include different grains, but they may not be whole grains, which provide the greatest health benefits. To make sure a food is made with whole grains, look on the food label’s ingredient list for the words “whole grain” in front of each grain name. If whole grains are the main ingredients in a food, they should appear first in the ingredient list.

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