Monthly IS Updates

• PeopleSoft Financials end-users can now delegate workflow item approvals to teammates, ensuring the approval process continues during absences. Self-service instructions are available in the PeopleSoft Financials Delegation User Guide.

• The OMES Service Desk will move to Amazon Web Services (AWS) Connect in January. AWS Connect is a cloud-based contact center service that manages customer interactions across various channels, including voice, chat, and email. This collaboration is all about taking customer service to the next level.

• The network team continues replacing network hardware across the state to refresh end-of-lease equipment, standardize all older network configurations to the current OMES standard and upgrade other equipment to increase functionality and performance.

In December and continuing through January, the network team has or will be servicing:

• Oklahoma State Department of Health.
• Oklahoma Insurance Department.
• Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

• The Security team is introducing a new feature in CrowdStrike that will help clean up Microsoft Office files like Word and Excel that have harmful macros. Instead of just blocking access to these files because of the bad macro, the tool will remove the harmful part and give back a safe version of the file to the user. This way, you can still use the file and access your data.
• OMES Cyber Command will be adding new features to help with disk space issues on Windows devices. They will turn on a feature called Windows Storage Sense, which automatically frees up space by deleting unnecessary files, like temporary files, items in the Recycle Bin, and unused files that are stored in OneDrive.

By default, Storage Sense will only kick in when your disk space is getting low. If you have files backed up to OneDrive that you haven’t opened in 30 days, Storage Sense will remove those from your device. 

Don’t worry, those files will still be in OneDrive and can be downloaded back to your device when you need them. To keep specific files on your device, follow the instructions in this Knowledgebase Article on exempting files and folders from Storage Sense cleanup.

• A cross-functional team from Information Services (IS) has launched the Anomali Security Analytics platform to share event data across all towers. Phase one began on October 31, with phase two set to conclude in early 2025.
• Beginning mid-January 2025, Microsoft will introduce support for Passkeys in the Microsoft Authenticator app. Passkeys provide a phishing-resistant, multi-factor authentication method, enabling password-free logins using Face, Fingerprint, or PIN.

• Oklahoma’s published reference architecture serves as a catalog of approved systems, technologies, tools, and practices. Its purpose is to lower costs by avoiding the licensing of multiple systems that serve the same function, reduce the skills required for staff maintenance, and ensure consistent outcomes in the development of larger systems using various technologies.