Computer Division is the technology backbone of the University for providing various Computing and Network services through Information & Communication Technologies (ICTs). The Division offers IT services to the Learners, Staff and Faculty at the Headquarters New Delhi, Regional and Study Centres across India and also Partner Institutions in various Counties. The Website of the University ‘www.ignou.ac.in’ is a Learners’-centric digital interface of the University that facilitates Learners’ for various Online/Offline services during their learning life cycle that starts from Admission to the Convocationin virtual mode.

The Division also provides various ICTservices for e-Governance of the University that includes the HR, the Finance and Student Management. In addition, the Division develops Application Software, Website Interfacing, System & Network Administration, SAMARTH Project implementation, IT Infrastructure Procurement, Commissioning and Maintenance, e-Procurement (through CPP and GeM), Training & Capacity Building and User Support

The Director
Computer Division
Mother Teresa Bhawan
Block-A
Academic Complex
IGNOU
Maidan Garhi
New Delhi - 110068
India
+91-011-29571913,29571912
cd@ignou.ac.in

Following are glimpse of some of the core activities of the Division. Apart, the Division also contributes in academic and research activities of the university.

Computer Division is providing various network services 24X7 through secure network gateway with 1Gbps internet bandwidth through National Knowledge Network (NKN) under NMEICT. Additional internet connectivity of 512 mbps through M/S Airtel to ensure high availability of network services. The following are some of the network and application services:

• Local Area Network (Wired/Wifi)/ and Wide Area Network (WAN)
• Secure Network Gateway Setup and Allied Services
• Internet Bandwidth Management
• Security Policy & ACLs Enforcement
• On-demand Network Services access

• Email
• Web-based Learner & Employee Support Services
• Technical Support to SAMARTH Project Modules (HR, Finance and Learners)
• Website and allied Services
• Webcasting/Web-Conferencing Support

Computer Division focuses on Software development by using Web Technologies for needs of the University, in particular the student management for various activities those are being performed during learner life cycle by various stake holders. Some of the Software Applications (Online/Offline) developed by the Division are University Digital Dashboard, Registration Data Transfer Service (RDTS), Creation of Learners’ Central Database, Term End Examination (TEE) registration, submission of Assignment, Practical and Project marks, Student e-Profile, registry & process of Unfair Means (UFM), Convocation registration and other such related. Different Software interfaces are designed and developed for various stake holders of the University to facilitate for their needs, on demand. Division is providing technical support in implementation of SAMARTH project Modules in respect of HR, Finance and Learners.

The University website www.ignou.ac.in is hosted, updated, managed and maintained by the Division. The Data is being collected from the respective Divisions/Schools/Cells/Units and Institutes at the main campus and also from Regional Centres (RCs) across India from time to time and on demand. The Division maintains and support all 57 Regional Centres websites of the university. The Website disseminates Static/Dynamic information about the University and facilitates to access various learner and employee support services. Website facilitates, in particular for learners to know programmes on offer, admission cycles, admission process, admission status, support services available, and also download Prospectus, Hall Tickets, Assignments, Term-End-Examination results, Grade Card, Entrance Exam results, and many such. The Website is a strong interface to access various online/offline support services, Webcasting/Web conferencing, Education broadcasting TV Channels and Audio/Video programmes,

Computer Division implemented and provides technical support in implementation of various HR, Finance and Learners’ modules of SAMARTH Project. Majority of SAMARTH Project Modules have been implemented at the University.

Computer Division provides all computing, network and application services (Online/Offline) of the University through the Servers and Storage Devices hosted at Server room of the Division. The Division performs System and Network administration in installation, configuration and commissioning of various Computing, Storage and Network devices of Windows and Open source platforms along with network gateway infrastructure. VLANs have been in place to manage and monitor Building/Block wise LANs. The NKN link of 1 Gbps and Airtel link of 512 Mbps are terminated at the server room. Back up support for Webcasting and Web Conferencing is regularly provided for all virtual meetings on demand throughout the year.

IT Infrastructure Procurement, Commissioning & Maintenance

Computer Division is playing vital role in establishment of IT Infrastructure such as Computers, Printers, UPSs, Scanners, Projectors and other peripheral devices to Faculty & Staff at Hqrs, Labs & Training Centres, Regional Centers across India and also to Study centres. All these are connected through wired/wireless network to access various internet/intranet application services. The main Campus at New Delhi has a LAN (wired/wireless) of approximately 3000 network nodes and segmented as Virtual LANs (VLANs) for secure access.

Computer Division is facilitating and providing technical support to various departments of the University for Purchases though e-Procurment (CPP and GeM).

Computer Division is imparting technical training to the Staff of different cadres on IT Tools, Technologies and Applications. The Division organized a National workshop on "Technology-centric Framework for Open University System Administration & Management.

The Division provides technical support to all stakeholders of the University at Main Campus, Regional Centres and Learners. The Division is like a technical interface to all Schools, Divisions, Centres and others of the university. The Division has a Helpdesk facility to receive and address technological grievances.

The Division has been initiating time to time on modernization and strengthening of ICT Infrastructure (Networking, Computing, Storage and Security) and also working towards an integrated IT System for various Business process of the university.

Cyber Crisis is a situation, where the IT Systems and Services fail to function for the purpose, due to security breach, vulnerability and even misuse that leads to a Cyber Attack ; as a result the business processes of the Institutions / Organizations are getting affected.

As Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) usage for various business processes of the Organizations is increasing in multifold, the Hackers / Attackers are playing a vital role to deface the Websites / Portals, defunct the Systems / Services, steal sensitive Data / Information and many more.

Cyber Crisis Management plays a vital role on not only to address the Cyber crisis, but also apply various proactive measures to protect the IT Systems / Services and ensure their high availability and accessibility.

Cyber Crisis Management Plan (CCMP) provides a strategic framework to protect the IT Systems / Services, ensure high availability & accessibility, assess and identify the security breaches and risks, respond to the cyber security incidents, restore with a recovery plan, provide training and awareness and finally to have a continuous cyber security improvement plan.

Dr A. Murali M Rao, Director Computer Division has been nominated as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of the University.

The following are some best practices to be followed

1. Set Strong Passwords atleast 8 to 10 characters length (mix of Alphabets (lower-case and upper-case), Numerals and Special Characters (!,@,#,$,%, etc) in all Online Portals/Websites, which are sensitive like Internet Banking, Email and Others such.
2. Don’t save such Passwords in any handheld Electronic Devices like Mobile Phones, Desktop Computers, Laptops, Tablet PCs, etc.
3. Set all Financial Limits at Minimum, while using Internet Banking. Can change limits on demand, when needed.
4. Avoid keeping big Amounts in Savings Bank A/C for a long time, if you are using Internet Banking; instead do Fixed Deposit, even for a shorter period.
5. Avoid use of Credit/Debit cards for payment of smaller amounts; instead use Cash
6. Avoid use of Public/Free WiFi Networks for Financial or any other Online Transactions, which are Sensitive.
7. Avoid Downloading of Mobile Apps from unauthorized Websites and use minimum essential Mobile Apps.
8. Don’t open Emails, which are suspicious; instead simply delete. Keep it in mind that nothing is free.
9. Avoid sharing of sensitive personal information through insecure Websites (doesn’t have HTTPS Protocol. For Ex a secure Website address is like : https://website-address).
10. Avoid sharing of any Text/Audio/Video clips, which are controversial over Social Media or any other Networks. Identity is well Captured.
11. Minimize use of Smart Electronic Devices, else they will take away your Smartness and made more Dependent.
12. Report a Cyber Crime Complaint, if any on ‘National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal’ (https://www.cybercrime.gov.in/ ), Govt. of India.

Director: Dr A. Murali M Rao, M.Tech. PhD (Computer Science & Engineering)
Contact Nos. 011-29571912/1913