Georgia Enterprise Technology Services (GETS) Update Volume 2, Issue No. 24 December 3, 2010 In This Issue Data services upgrade under way Technicians to leave tent cards for EUC refresh customers Quick Links Quick action eliminates virus and protects state computers A new virus was recently identified on some state computers, and I would like to make you aware of the aggressive action we have taken to eliminate it and protect state computers from further infection. It's action we would not have been able to take without our GETS service providers, and the response demonstrates the kind of benefits we are seeing from our technology transformation. The new virus uses infected computers to send spam e-mail. It was initially identified on state computers by AT&T and IBM, which provide managed network and IT infrastructure services to many state agencies. Because the virus is so new, no anti-virus software programs were capable of protecting Previous Newsletters GTA Website GETS Customer Resource Center GETS Financial and Billing Resource Center GETS FAQs against it when it was first discovered. We immediately engaged software engineers with both McAfee and Symantec, who quickly developed updates to their software programs. At the same time, we began securely communicating with Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Information Security Officers (ISOs) in all state agencies. These communications were sent through the state's secure portal, which is used by state agencies to exchange information security notifications and guidance. We also notified the Georgia Fusion Center, the US-CERT (a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security), and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC). As a result, 15 other states reported similar network activity, indicating the possibility of the same virus on their computers. If you are receiving services from the GETS service providers, they have already taken the technical steps necessary to protect your organization. The updated anti-virus programs are protecting state computers, and there is no indication the virus is spreading in state agencies. Working with AT&T and IBM enabled us to move right away to identify the virus and notify the appropriate state and federal agencies. Our partnership also led to almost immediate updates from anti-virus software manufacturers. Such swift and effective action would not have been possible if we were working on our own. Thank you for your ongoing support. Patrick Moore State Chief Information Officer GTA Executive Director Data services upgrade under way As part of the GETS technology transformation, AT&T is upgrading data services for GTA customers. The upgrade allows AT&T to monitor and manage sites that were not managed previously. The work is under way and will affect approximately 1,500 GETS agency locations. At each site, AT&T installs a new circuit (if applicable), a new router and a new switch to upgrade to a more updated technology, AT&T's virtual private network (AVPN). This data service provides Internet access and bandwidth for other data applications. Agencies will experience many benefits, including: better data system performance fewer maintenance issues improved management capability updated configurations AT&T engineers will perform surveys for each agency to enable AT&T to design and plan a specific solution tailored for each site. For most sites, the migration will be a "like for like" approach where a new circuit, router, and switch will replace the existing circuit, router and switch. Some sites with existing DSL will not get a new circuit but will get a new router and switch. AT&T and GTA will work with each agency to plan the migration, from confirming priorities and contacts and gathering business requirements by site, to developing an implementation schedule. AT&T will use a phased approach to include a pilot phase before moving to full implementation. Lastly, coordination to remove the old circuits and equipment is also planned closely with each agency. Back to top Technicians to leave tent cards for EUC refresh customers GETS customers who receive a new computer as part of the end user computing (EUC) refresh initiative will soon find a tent card on their desk with important information about their new PC. The card reminds users to make sure that applications are installed and working and asks them to check for files and folders, e-mail archives, Internet favorites, desktop shortcuts, shared networks and printer mappings. The card also includes instructions for getting assistance if any problems are found. Refresh technicians will begin using the tent cards later this month. Back to top We welcome your comments about service delivery, the state's IT transformation and related topics. You can submit comments online or call our toll-free number to leave a recorded message. Email Marketing by