information technology current work in system architecture january 2004 tom board director, nuit...

Information Technology

Current Work inSystem Architecture

January 2004

Tom BoardDirector, NUIT Information Systems Architecture


Presentation Outline

• Context• Business environment• Security• Integration• Architectural future• Operational implications

We are heading toward a future that will be based on these ideas.


Context

• Self-service. The world expects it.

• Central digital identity. The basis for service unification and enhanced security.

• Loosely-coupled systems. Replace tight integration between systems with Web Services to expose functions in standard ways.


University Business EnvironmentThe user’s experience should be of unified access to services through a standard, Web-based portal. Transactions with applications are initiated through this portal.

Based upon identity attributes set by Human Resources and the Registrar, institutional roles are defined that create separate views of University systems in that context. This is also a available for basic application security.

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University Business EnvironmentUsing portal technology will group functions around the individual’s personal responsibilities.

Roles present functions in context and can enforce additional authorizations.

Tailoring of role functions can follow specific entitlements granted by service providers.

Personalization gives the person control to optimize his or her time and use of information.


Service and Data Flow

The combination of unified presentation, common authorization, and standard connectors will create a seamless service to the end-user.

Identity management will be a key aspect of the infrastructure serving the entire network. Authoritative identity information from key systems will define roles and default entitlements.

Coupledcentral applications

End-user

Portal

Commoncredentials

LDAPLDAP

Central identity and entitlements

SES HRIS


Security

• NU will need firm management of digital identities to give service units confidence

• We will need to adapt existing systems, and specify new ones, to achieve desired levels of security.


Delegated Access Control

Unified central identity management allows delegated control of access by service administrators.

Entitlements can be based on roles (by job class) or membership in groups or individually through rules.

Local service access rules

Credentials

Application security

Portal

Sensitive data

Application management Central management


System Integration

• We should enhance services by coupling enterprise systems to speed processes

• Portal-based access to services relies upon this coupling


System Integration

SES

HRISResearch

Advance

Financials

“Integration” is a perception by the customer of a unified service. A restaurant appears as a unified whole delivering a service.

The appearance of integration is realized by coupling systems, not merging them. The cook, waiter, and cashier are separate systems that communicate effectively to deliver a single service to the customer. A breakdown in that communication exposes the internal structure to the customer.

An integrated administrative system will deliver a set of services crossing boundaries hidden from the customer through effective coupling of systems. The resulting service structure only appears monolithic, but remains distributed. Each separate system can be a best-in-class solution to its needs, with the necessary requirement that it communicate well to the remainder of the administrative matrix.


Integration BenefitsIntegrated enterprise systems can reduce the time to complete services across the University, eliminate manual steps (and errors), and create auditable transaction records.

A hiring event can trigger financial and service actions. Some actions could be immediate and others queued for review by service administrators before fulfillment.

Later events, such as completed training, can be promoted back into the HR record for the employee.

Human Resources System

Hiring Event

ProvisionNetID

ProvisionWildcard

Encumber salaryand benefits

Provisionaccess

Scheduletraining

ProvisionETES

Notifysupervisor

Subscribe toemail lists

Queue toERP

Notifysupervisor

Provisiondirectory

Provisioncalendar

Provisionlocal services

Scheduletraining

Subscribe toemail lists

Queue to

school

Notifysupervisor

Notify unitfundsmgr

EmployeeRecord


Summary

• User self-service, reduced manual interfaces, and easier deployments will save effort and reduce errors

• Unified identity management will create consistency of services and security across the University

• Vendor adoption of application coupling methods combined with simplified local development will speed deployment of new functions

• The portal navigation point will reduce confusion and save time


The Challenge – Application SilosApplication silos develop naturally around business systems and software under standard architectural planning and funding. Each business unit invents user management, tracks authorizations, and builds interfaces to other systems.

Silos limit views of institutional data, fragment security, require manual re-entry of data and detract from the user’s “integrated system” experience.

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Operational Implications

• Intentional deployment of:– Standardized identity and authentication infrastructure

(in progress)– Advanced authorization infrastructure

• Implies:– End to silo identity management and adoption of the

NetID across all general systems– Definition of default NetID entitlements– Delegated user management to maintain security– Deployment of stronger authentication where justified



• Intentional deployment of:– Application portal

• Implies:– Adoption of NetID across all enterprise systems– Real-time availability of data– Web single sign-on



• Intentional deployment of:– Transaction Bus

• Implies:– Suitable infrastructure to enable, track and audit

transactions

– Trained staff to develop and support the infrastructure

– Cooperation from enterprise system vendors to deploy services effectively



• Intentional deployment of:– Adequate security

• Implies:– Standardized identity and authentication infrastructure– Agreement on business rules governing NetID

transitions– Agreement on maintenance of desktop systems,

deployment of firewalls, physical security of servers, and network authentication

information technology current work in system architecture january 2004 tom board director, nuit...

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