Know-how and equipment Level up your tech
Need a webcam or microphone?
Expedited purchasing available for equipment needed for working remotely.
Need internet access?
The FCC has created a pledge which many internet service providers have agreed to participate in to support American workers.
Technology to help you stay connected
VPN
Information Technology Services strongly recommends the use of the University's virtual private network (VPN) when working remotely to better ensure the protection of University data and computing systems.
Microsoft Teams
Connect with your team and other colleagues in your department at the click of a button.
Zoom
Zoom web conferencing allows for real-time interaction in “rooms," an ideal way to transition from in-person meetings to online.
Forward Your Office Phone
While you are away from your desk or physical phone, you can have phone calls from your Cisco VoIP phone ring on other devices:
- Forward your office phone to your personal phone: Employee works from a single-user office/dedicated space 4-5 days a week, but is working off-site tomorrow and doesn’t want to miss any work calls. This gives them flexibility to use their desk phone when they are in the office.
- Have your work phone number ring on your PC or other smart phone: Employee works 2 days a week on site and 3 days a week at home. They may also share an office/workspace with another employee. They don’t have a consistent schedule of which days they are on-site vs at home so they want the flexibility of answering a work call via Teams or their smartphone.
- Using Microsoft Teams to make and receive calls: Employee works 100% remote and wants the ability to easily answer and make calls from their PC or the Teams App on their smartphone. Another employee may work a hybrid schedule, but does not want to use a smartphone for answering work calls.
Office 365
Office 365 is available to all University of Kentucky employees. It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, and Access. You can install them across multiple devices, including PCs, Macs, Android tablets, Android phones, iPad, and iPhone.
Resources
OneDrive
Microsoft OneDrive is a file-hosting service offered by the University of Kentucky through your Microsoft Office 365 account.
Resources
Additional Software
Software to help you work is available free of charge or at a reduced rate.
Resources
Computers and equipment
When you use computers or other hardware owned by the university, you are guaranteed tech support, repairs and security.
If you experience technical issues with a personal computer you're using to work remotely, we may be able to help. Our tech help services now include basic troubleshooting for devices you own and use for university work.
Campus hardware
How to temporarily check out university-owned equipment:
- Assess your needs: computer, docking station, displays or other office equipment.
- Download the Off-Campus Equipment Report Form from Capital Assets Accounting.
- Request approval from your department using the form.
UK HealthCare hardware
Department leaders will loan employees certain remote work equipment and may purchase additional computing equipment from their departmental budgets, as needed.
To request the purchase of a new computer or move an existing computer to a remote work location, go to the IT Service Portal (Click "Services" at the top; Click "Desktop;" for new computer select "Hardware – New Device;" to move a computer to a remote work location select "Hardware – Move."
For all other IT issues, please go here and select Report an Issue at the top; a Field Service Technician will contact you.
Best practices for working remotely
Cybersecurity best practices
Working remotely presents a prime phishing opportunity. Please report any or all suspicious emails to isthisemailsafe@uky.edu.
