Owner, device owner

The individual who owns the device or who is responsible for making decisions about the device.

For research labs, the PI is assumed to be owner for each device. The owner can delegate responsibilities (such as approving changes) at their discretion.

Address, addressing a device

Done by CNS OIT in collaboration with the owner.

Take actions so the device is capable of performing needed functions and is compliant with security policies. This includes collecting inventory information, making configuration changes to the device, and/or making configuration changes around the device.

Inventory identification will happen for every computer. Configuration changes to a computer may include enrollment in central management, adjusting administrative permissions, setting up data backups, installing OS and application updates, among other settings changes. Configuration changes around the computer may include removing it from the network, changing what network it’s connected to, or adding a hardware firewall.

Enroll, enroll in management, enrollment in central management

Done by CNS OIT in collaboration with the owner.

Install software that connects a computer to the centralized Endpoint Management (EPM) systems, then use the EPM systems to set up policies for regular installation of updates and enable security configurations.

See the FAQ “What will be different after my computer is enrolled?” for more details.

Endpoint

Any device capable of connecting to the internet and accessing, storing, or sharing information.

Computers, tablets, smartphones, security cameras, and printers are all considered endpoints.

In the context of this project, “endpoint” will most commonly be referring to a computer.

Endpoint Management (EPM)

A set of tools used by IT to employ policies designed to protect access to University computers, data, and resources by securing computers and identifying the presence of specific security vulnerabilities.

Currently, we have EPM tools for computers (macOS, Windows, and Linux) and iPads.

See the FAQ “What will be different after my computer is enrolled?” for more details.

Inventory identification

Gather details about a computer that are used to identify a device, who is responsible for it, and aid in support.

CNS OIT will gather details about the computer’s hardware from the device itself. We will talk to the owner and/or users of the device to find out information about how the device is used and by whom. See the FAQ section “Inventory Identification” for more details.

UT-owned

Purchased using UT funds, including grants. Owned by the University of Texas at Austin.

For research labs that came to UT from another University: all devices originally purchased at a prior institution and were brought to UT are UT-owned and required to be transferred from the prior institution’s inventory to UT’s inventory.

Personal, personally-owned

Purchased using personal funds that did not originate from a UT account. Belongs to the individual.

Used for University business

Any device that is used to store, process, access, or share data that is owned by the University or produced during and/or for the purpose of performing University duties.

Using a computer in these ways would make that computer used for University business:

• Grading student work— even if done entirely through a web browser (e.g. using Grade Scope or Canvas).

• Analyzing data, writing a paper, or creating a poster for UT-funded and/or grant-funded research.

Any UT work or UT resources being accessed as a student does not count (e.g. submitting your own coursework via Canvas).