LabArchives will be offline for approximately 20 minutes between 1- 2a.m. on Tuesday morning, September 21, 2021. Contact edcsupport@partners.org with any questions or concerns.
A Critical Security Update for Macintosh Computers Running macOS Big Sur
On September 13, 2021, Apple released macOS Big Sur update 11.6 to address a critical security vulnerability. A macOS device that has not been updated could lead to an attacker exploiting this vulnerability to take control of your device.
If you are running a device with macOS, please ensure it is up to date with all Operating System (OS) updates. View this knowledge base article for How To Upgrade Your macOS, or visit the IS Service Hub to request assistance.
It is Mass General Brigham policy to install all current OS and software updates for your device. If you are running an out of date version of macOS, please update your Mac. Older Operating Systems introduce risk to your data and the enterprise as they are not patched for security vulnerabilities.
Applies to: iOS users not yet running 14.8
On September 13, 2021, Apple released iOS 14.8 to address a security vulnerability. An iPhone or iPadOS that has not been updated could lead to an attacker exploiting this vulnerability to take control of your device.
If you are running a device with iOS, please ensure it is up to date. View this knowledge base article for How To Upgrade iPhone iOS Software, or visit the IS Service Hub to request assistance.
It is Mass General Brigham policy to install all current OS and software updates for your device. If you are running an out of date version of iOS, please update your iPhone or iPad. Older Operating Systems introduce risk to your data and the enterprise as they are not patched for security vulnerabilities.
Applies to: iOS users not yet running 14.7.1
On July 26, 2021, Apple released iOS 14.7.1 to address a security vulnerability. An iOS device that has not been updated could lead to an attacker exploiting this vulnerability to take control of your device.
If you are running a device with iOS, please ensure it is up to date. View this knowledge base article for How To Upgrade iPhone iOS Software, or visit the IS Service Hub to request assistance.
It is Mass General Brigham policy to install all current OS and software updates for your device. If you are running an out of date version of iOS, please update your iPhone or iPad. Older Operating Systems introduce risk to your data and the enterprise as they are not patched for security vulnerabilities.
On August 11, 2021, Apple released macOS Big Sur update 11.5.2 to address a security vulnerability. A macOS device that has not been updated could lead to an attacker exploiting this vulnerability to take control of your device.
If you are running a device with macOS, please ensure it is up to date with all Operating System (OS) updates. View this knowledge base article for How To Upgrade Your macOS, or visit the IS Service Hub to request assistance.
It is Mass General Brigham policy to install all current OS and software updates for your device. If you are running an out of date version of macOS, please update your Mac. Older Operating Systems introduce risk to your data and the enterprise as they are not patched for security vulnerabilities.
Action Required: Immediately Run Windows Updates on Non-standard Windows and Personal Computers Used for Work
Earlier this month, a critical vulnerability was discovered with the Windows Print Spooler service that runs by default on Windows computers. Devices that are not patched remain vulnerable for attackers to remotely execute code with system-level privileges.
Did you know that Microsoft regularly releases security patches for its Operating System (OS) and software products for your PC on the second Tuesday of every month? Follow the steps below to keep your computer safe and secure and your Microsoft software up to date and running smoothly.
All employees using non-standard Windows or personal computers for work must check for and apply OS updates on a monthly basis; please see HOWTO: Run Windows Updates for instructions.
| Computer | Steps | |
|---|---|---|
| HOWTO: Determine whether you are using a standard or non-standard computer | ||
| Non-standard Windows Computer | Please make sure your devices are patched, restarted and update-to-date. See How to. | |
| Standard Windows Computer | Please make sure to restart your device to receive the latest patches. | |
| Vendor-supported Computer | Please contact the vendor. | |
Visit the IS Service Hub for technical assistance.
All ERISOne systems that rely on access to the Briefcase filesystem are back to work. There was a system failure due to overheating that caused a power down on one of the enclosures. The system was rebooted and access was verified. Please let us know if you still see any problems emailing hpcsupport@partners.org, a ticket will automatically be opened for you.
Thanks for your patience.
The Research Computing website, https://rc.partners.org, was updated on Wednesday, June 2 at 6:30a.m. to apply platform updates. Updates completed at 6:42a.m.
Please contact rcwebmaster@partners.org if you have any questions or concerns.
There is a temporary outage on the LabArchives Single Sign-On server that affects ONLY those trying to create a new account with single sign-on. Existing users are not affected. LabArchives will notify when they have a fix.
Recently, Zoom accounts registered with @mgh.harvard.edu, @partners.org and other MGB emails were converted from a Harvard to a Mass General Brigham enterprise account. Mass General Brigham provides free limited “Basic” accounts as well as discounted enterprise accounts for $100/year. Full description of differences as well as instructions and links to the order form can be found in the Knowledge Base.
If you need to host a Harvard Medical School teaching, research, or administrative activity on Zoom, you are eligible for a Harvard Zoom account and will need to link it to @hms.harvard.edu email. Hospital business, such as graduate medical education, hospital-based laboratory research, or clinical departmental activities are not eligible.
For further reference please see the HMS website.
REDCap (https://redcap.partners.org/redcap) infrastructure improvements are scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday March 20 at 9AM ET.
We expect minimal downtime; however MGB REDCap could be unavailable for up to 3 hours.
The infrastructure improvements include our effort to encrypt the database and data at rest to meet our regulatory requirements by April 1, 2021.
If you have any concerns about this scheduled maintenance, please email edcsupport@partners.org
The Research Computing website, https://rc.partners.org, was updated on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 7a.m. to apply platform updates. The website was offline for a short period of time during this maintenance window.
Please contact rcwebmaster@partners.org if you have any questions or concerns.
ERIS Patching Schedule for 2021
| January 2021 | |
| Non-Production Patching | Wednesday, January 20, 2021 |
| Production Patching and ERIS Maintenance | Saturday, January 30, 2021 |
| February 2021 | |
| Non-Production Patching | Wednesday, February 17, 2021 |
| Production Patching and ERIS Maintenance | Saturday, February 27, 2021 |
| March 2021 | |
| Non-Production Patching | Wednesday, March 17, 2021 |
| Production Patching and ERIS Maintenance | Saturday, March 27, 2021 |
| April 2021 | |
| Non-Production Patching | Wednesday, April 21, 2021 |
| Production Patching and ERIS Maintenance | Saturday, May 1, 2021 |
| May 2021 | |
| Non-Production Patching | Wednesday, May 19, 2021 |
| Production Patching and ERIS Maintenance | Saturday, May 29, 2021 |
| June 2021 | |
| Non-Production Patching | Wednesday, June 16, 2021 |
| Production Patching and ERIS Maintenance | Saturday, June 26, 2021 |
| July 2021 | |
| Non-Production Patching | Wednesday, July 21, 2021 |
| Production Patching and ERIS Maintenance | Saturday, July 31, 2021 |
| August 2021 | |
| Non-Production Patching | Wednesday, August 18, 2021 |
| Production Patching and ERIS Maintenance | Saturday, August 28, 2021 |
| September 2021 | |
| Non-Production Patching | Wednesday, September 15, 2021 |
| Production Patching and ERIS Maintenance | Saturday, September 25, 2021 |
| October 2021 | |
| Non-Production Patching | Wednesday, October 20, 2021 |
| Production Patching and ERIS Maintenance | Saturday, October 30, 2021 |
| November 2021 | |
| Non-Production Patching | Wednesday, November 17, 2021 |
| Production Patching and ERIS Maintenance | Saturday, November 20, 2021 |
| December 2021 | |
| Non-Production Patching | Wednesday, December 15, 2021 |
| Production Patching and ERIS Maintenance | Saturday, December 18, 2021 |
Please email rcc@partners.org with any questions or concerns.
REDCap Upgrades to v10.0.30 Scheduled:
REDCap (https://redcap.partners.org/redcap) upgrades to v10.0.30 scheduled for Wednesday December 9 at 6:30AM EST were successful. REDCap was offline from 6:30AM - 6:39AM.
This upgrade includes security and bug fixes.
Release notes available soon.
If you have any concerns about REDCap being offline at this time, please email edcsupport@partners.org
The PEAS team is pleased to recommend the upgrade to macOS Big Sur 11 in the Enterprise.
Prior to upgrading, please ensure you have the most recent version of enterprise apps that you use, like Citrix Workspace, Cisco VPN or Microsoft Office. The latest version of these applications are available in PEAS Self Service. Also verify the compatibility of any non-enterprise apps you use prior to upgrading. 32-bit applications are no longer supported on macOS Catalina or macOS Big Sur. You can check if you’re running 32-bit apps in macOS Mojave before you download and install Big Sur. From the Apple menu > About This Mac > System Report > Legacy Software or by going to https://roaringapps.com/.
We advise everyone to upgrade and get the latest security features unless you have specialty software that is currently incompatible with macOS Big Sur. Keep in mind that Apple, and therefore MGB, only supports the current OS and two versions prior. With the release of macOS Big Sur 11, the only other supported mac OS's are macOS Mojave 10.14 and macOS Catalina 10.15. If you are running an out of date macOS, please view our webpage on how to Update Your Mac, or contact the Service Desk if you need assistance with an upgrade. Older Mac operating systems introduce risk to your data and the enterprise as they are not patched for security vulnerabilities, nor do they comply with MGB policies.
Please note: When upgrading to macOS Big Sur, any folders in the root folder will be moved to /users/shared/relocated items.
| Enterprise Applications | ||
| Software Tested | Version Tested | Functionality |
|---|---|---|
| Crowdstrike | 5.41.12205 |  |
| Forescout | 19.0 | |
| Cisco AnyConnect | 4.9.02028 | |
| Microsoft Office | 16.41 | |
| Citrix Workspace | 20.10 | |
| Microsoft Teams | 1.3 | |
| Academic Applications | ||
| Software Tested | Versions Tested | Functionality |
|---|---|---|
| MatLab | 2020b & up | |
| EndNote | X9 |  |
| Flowjo | 10.7 |  |
| SPSS | 24 | |
| Stata | 16 | |
| Prism | 9 | |
| Microsoft Remote Desktop | 10.4.1 | |
| Parallels | 16.0.1 | |
Older devices or software may connect to email using “basic authentication”, which requires only your username and password for access. Basic authentication leaves you open to cyberattacks and does not meet Mass General Brigham’s security standards.
To increase email security, basic authentication will be disabled and requiring two-factor authentication to access email on November 17th.
To avoid any interruption to your email access, follow the instructions in the Knowledge Base.
If you do not update your device, you may access your email using Outlook on the web at https://outlook.office.com. For questions or assistance, please contact the IS Service Desk.
REDCap Upgrades to v.10.0.25 Scheduled:
REDCap (https://redcap.partners.org/redcap) upgrades to v10.0.25 scheduled for Friday November 13th, 6:30AM ET are complete. REDCap was offline from 6:40-7:25 AM ET.
This upgrade includes a number of new features and bug fixes:
New feature: Record-level locking: This feature allows users to lock an entire record (as opposed to locking individual instruments) so that none of the record’s data can ever be modified unless someone with record-level locking/unlocking privileges goes and unlocks the record again.
New feature: Field Embedding: Field Embedding is the ultimate way to customize surveys and data collection instruments to make them look exactly how you want. Field Embedding is a Shazam-like feature that allows you to reposition field elements on a survey page or data entry form so that they get embedded in a new location on that same page. Embedding fields gives users greater control over the look and feel of your instrument. Users may place fields in a grid/table for a more compact user-friendly page, or they can position fields close together in a group if they are related.
New Features, Changes, and Major Bug Fixes
If you have any concerns about REDCap being offline at this time or any questions about these new features, please email edcsupport@partners.org
There may be a short interruption of service for the RISC Website during a maintenance window on Tuesday, November 24 between 7:30- 8:00a.m. EST. The RISC Website, https://rc.partners.org, may be unavailable for a short period of time during this window.
Please contact rcwebmaster@partners.org if you have any questions or concerns.
On Saturday, October 31, 2020, the ERIS Hosted Services Infrastructure was impacted by planned power work in the Needham Data Center that unexpectedly impacted some equipment. It was not a data center power failure. This event took down several research websites and services as it impacted all of the DIPR and RFA infrastructure. The team restored power and focused on bringing up all the production servers and virtual machines (VMs) impacted by this event. At this point, all the production VM’s are up and available, and the team is focused on restoring the non-production VM’s. We anticipate that all the non-production nodes up and online on Tuesday, November 3, 20
If you are the owner of a website, hosted database, storage or virtual server on ERIS infrastructure, we encourage you to check your connection and reboot if needed.
If you have a critical process that is down, please send a note to rcc@partners.org, and the team we will investigate right away.
Please check the Service Alerts for service-specific instructions and impact. Please make sure you subscribe to receive appropriate email notifications for the services you subscribe to: https://rc.partners.org/subscribe.
HSPH REDCap (https://redcap.sph.harvard.edu/redcap) upgrades to version 9.5.35 scheduled for Tuesday October 20th, 6:30AM are complete. REDcap was offline from 6:30-7:15AM.
If you have any questions, please email edcsupport@partners.org
