Topic of the Week

A couple of weeks ago, we talked about the new SRM process and the expedited procurement alternative, and since these new procedures came into place, we have received a few inquires about the reason why a free software should still go through a review process. The answer is easy: because nothing is really free.And we get it: free feels harmless. No budget impact. No procurement. No invoice floating in someone’s queue. It feels like the lowest-risk decision possible. But in the world of software, free is rarely free.

Our world has quickly evolved into a highly technical and data-driven landscape, making the presence of personally identifiable information (PII) so much more abundant. The continued collection and use of PII makes it absolutely essential to protect the privacy of data within your organization. One specific way you can make progress towards enhancing your organization’s data privacy is through conducting Privacy Impact Assessments (PIA), an analysis of how an organization collects, uses, shares, and maintains personally identifiable information (PII).

In higher education, everything feels urgent. A new tool promises to streamline a workflow, support a project, or solve a problem, and the instinct is simple: let’s get it now.

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, which means that Love Data Week 2026 is finally here! Every year during the week of Valentine’s Day, all data-lovers get the chance to come together and participate in data-themed events, sessions, games, and more. Love Data Week originated as “Love Your Data Week” in 2016, and has since become an internationally recognized and celebrated event. By 2018, this event name was officially changed and recognized as Love Data Week.

As we continue to kick off the new year, it is only fitting that we dedicate a week to data privacy--everyone's favorite topic… No? Just ours? Well, if you find yourself reading this then you probably have some interest in the world of data privacy. At the end of January each year, we have an excuse to pause and spend the day focusing on data privacy.

The holiday season is prime time for upgrading TVs and home gadgets, all in the name of cozy winter entertainment. The days get shorter, the couch gets more inviting, and suddenly a bigger, smarter screen feels like a necessity. So a Smart TV moves into your living room, promising endless streaming, easy apps, and a simpler viewing experience.