Working from home-technology and network access

1. Technology options

2. User security guidelines

3. Things to do BEFORE you leave the office - (e.g. changing your password, installing all updates)

4. How to pack up your workstation

5. How to work from home using a Government of Saskatchewan computer, optimizing your connection and VPN.

• All Government of Saskatchewan computers (including desktops) are now equipped with VPN. You do not need to request a token to access VPN.

• Limit the use of VPN to leave room for others.
  

• A VPN connection is not required if you’re accessing systems such as Sasktel IBC, Email, Skype for Business, ServiceNow, OneDrive, or Taskroom.sp.saskatchewan.ca and other public websites.
  

6. Accessing Office 365 with any device and any internet connection

You can connect to Word, Outlook (email), PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, Skype, SharePoint, OneNote, OneDrive etc. with any internet connection and any device. You must have Multifactor Authentication (MFA) set up.

• If you are accessing from your government computer, you will have full functionality.

• If you are accessing from a personal computer or phone your functionality will be limited.

• If you already have MFA, double check your preferences to ensure you are not using an office phone. If you are using an office phone you will need to change your preferences to use a cell phone and/or an authenticator app.

7. Hot-spotting Hot-spotting allows you to access the internet from your computer when you don’t have Wi-Fi by using the data from your cell phone

• Videoconference meetings: Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business are tools that can be used to hold videoconference meetings on any government device equipped for two-way audio. Please refer to the Teams Taskroom page or Skype Video Conference Guide for detailed instructions.

• Be mindful of when to use your phone and when to use Teams or Skype. Teams or Skype is the best option if you need video chat and/or need to present material, otherwise using a phone is recommended.

• Use FaceTime for a two-person video call if you and your colleague have work iPhones.

• Teleconference meetings: Government’s new IBC phone system offers tools to help keep business running including offering personal IBC conference lines, having calls to their desk line ring simultaneously on their cell phone, making and receiving calls from any computer, and making changes to their call forwarding from anywhere.  Learn how to use these features by following the IBC phone system guides.

• Activate features by following the IBC phone system guides. To use features like those described above, you need your IBC user ID and password to access your IBC User Portal or Soft Client. If you have forgotten your password and need it reset, please contact your ministry’s Telephone Coordinator.
  

Microsoft OneDrive

Many government users have received the OneDrive cloud application. This has become their new individual working drive, replacing their H: Drive. Files saved to this drive are saved in the cloud and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.

• If you have OneDrive, you can log in to OneDrive remotely, using your Government of Saskatchewan username (i.e. jsmith@gov.sk.ca) and your network password, not your email address. You may be asked to enter a code sent to another one of your devices to confirm your identity. To learn more, see these instructions for multi-factor authentication.  
  

Microsoft Teams

In order to support government's increasing videoconferencing needs, and enhance our overall IT environment, the IT Division  launched Microsoft Teams in government in April 2020.

Teams is an application within the Office 365 suite, that offers full videoconferencing capabilities on any internet-connected device with a camera — along with online collaboration via audio, video, chat and file sharing capabilities.

Teams videoconferencing works on mobile devices. Simply install the application and use video and audio conferencing anywhere, any time. Please note, Teams is not replacing Skype for Business or Web Ex at this time.

With the Teams Audio Conferencing feature, invitees who are not able to join via the Teams desktop or mobile app can participate in the audio portion of a Teams meeting using only a landline or cellphone — there is no need for an internet connection or data, and there is no additional charge to use it.

With Teams Live Events, you can schedule and produce events that stream to large online audiences. It offers meeting controls, to manage participation — ideal for webinar or town hall style meetings.

Visit the Teams Taskroom page for more information.