Secure and Collaborative UC Data Exchange

As part of the UC system wide Cyber Security Initiative, UCOP Information Technology Services partnered with each campus and the UC Production Control Shared Services Center (PCSSC) to migrate all UCOP file transfers off the existing UCOP server. The project goal is to improve the security of our UC data being exchanged between the campuses and UCOP, by improving the credentials used, protecting data-in-motion, protecting data-at-rest, improving management and monitoring of data exchanges. The session describes new enterprise level technology solution used for secure file transfers between UCOP ITS, PCSSC and UC Davis various departments.

UC Davis Informational and Education Technology, Enterprise Infrastructure Services organization was tasked to migrate all UC Davis file transfers off the old UCOP server. Project requirements were for every campus to have a single location for the files to be delivered from PCSSC. PCSSC delivers files to a single campus server and campus is responsible for any additional file moves.

The first task was to provide a location for the files that UC Davis would send and receive from UCOP. Most departments used FTP or SFTP servers to exchange critical files with UCOP, and others dropped/picked up files directly from UCOP servers. Unfortunately, these servers could have become a primary target for hackers as some of the departments used unsecure methods. The next challenge was to find the owners of department files and in some cases transition departmental business process flows to a new process and new tool.

UC Production Control Shared Services Center (PCSSC) is using GoAnywhere Managed File Transfer (MFT) solution. GoAnywhere MFT is an enterprise-level solution that secures, automates, and streamlines file transfers for organizations of all sizes. UC Davis IET is using Go Anywhere MFT as a single point of control to streamline manual processes used by departments to encrypt, compress, monitor and audit file transfers.

Using the new file transfer enterprise solution, UC Davis had to migrate from an old file transfer mechanism for numerous critical files from various departments like Finance, Undergraduate Admission, Graduate Studies, Budget and Institutional Analysis, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Office of Research, Office of Registrar, UC Davis Health, and others. The new robust, scalable, and secure solution allows new customers to get on board like Student Housing department that is using solution now to transfer payroll files to UCOP.

The new file transfer mechanism service offered by UC Davis IET allows UC Davis Departments to access, share, and collaborate on multiple files with UCOP and other UC campuses in a secure and protected manner.