IM/IT Considerations: What you need to know when returning to the workplace

September 14, 2021 - Defence Stories

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Defence Team members demonstrated their tremendous flexibility and resilience by quickly adapting to new technologies and working conditions all while continuing to deliver Defence’s mandate during an unprecedented time. This transition has presented many challenges but thanks to your patience and perseverance, we have adapted and flourished in an ever-changing environment.

With the release of the DM/CDS Directive on the DND/CAF Reopening Strategy, and as the Defence Team gradually increases its presence in DND/CAF facilities, the return to the workplace will raise many questions on the combined use of our newly implemented and pre-pandemic IM/IT resources.

To answer these questions, a list of questions and answers has been developed to address the most common IM/IT concerns. Below are some of the key IM/IT considerations when returning to the workplace:

IT Assets and equipment

• The majority of personnel that have Government of Canada issued tablets or laptops are expected to use them as workstations when in the office or when working remotely.
• Extra computers will not be supplied. If you are using a DND-issued tablet or laptop and you work in an area where their use is permitted, you will not receive a second device.
• DND/CAF will not issue a second docking station, mouse, keyboard, or additional monitors (primary workstation). During the pandemic, personnel were provided a primary workstation, and these should be used wherever the employee does the majority of their work.

Defence 365 (D365)

• D365 is permanently available to all Defence Team members and complements the existing enterprise network’s Virtual Private Network (T-DVPNI).
• Personnel can continue to connect to D365 via a personal device, government-issued phone, or through the DWAN to complete work and collaborate with their colleagues, in the workplace and from home.

Network

• Dependent on any local upgrades to network infrastructure, personnel should expect that bandwidth will be the same at the office as it was prior to the pandemic.
• Personnel should expect to regularly update their DWAN passwords, either during a DWAN session or through Self-Serve Password Reset (accessible only on the National Defence network), and will be notified when required to do so.

If your IM/IT related question has not already been answered on the FAQ: Information Management (IM) and Information Technology (IT) web page, please reach out to your supervisor who is equipped to guide and support you. If that is not an option, you can submit your question through the Ask Anything: COVID-19 submission box.